What are atypical antipsychotics?
Atypical antipsychotics are medicines that are traditionally prescribed for schizophrenia and other psychoses.
Some commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotics for autistic people are risperidone, quetiapine, aripiprazole, ziprasidone and olanzapine.
Who are atypical antipsychotics for?
Atypical antipsychotics are for people experiencing serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia.
They might also be prescribed for autistic people who show high levels of anxiety, seem irritable or nervous, or have high levels of aggressive behaviour or hyperactive behaviour.
If atypical antipsychotics are prescribed for autistic children, it’s usually because children’s behaviour is causing distress or safety concerns and other therapies haven’t helped.
What are atypical antipsychotics used for in autism therapy?
Some people believe that atypical antipsychotics can be used to treat issues like aggressive behaviour, hyperactive behaviour, very repetitive behaviour, irritability and self-injury (like hitting or biting yourself) in autistic people.
Where do atypical antipsychotics come from?
Before atypical antipsychotics came typical antipsychotics. These were first developed in the 1950s as a treatment for serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia.
In the 1970s and 1980s, researchers started testing typical antipsychotics for use with autistic children. They were used to treat children’s behaviour issues, but they had significant side effects.
Atypical antipsychotics were developed to reduce these side effects.
What is the idea behind atypical antipsychotics?
In the brain, signals move along connections between brain cells with the help of receptors. Receptors are small message receivers on the outside of each brain cell, which work like chemical antennae and pick up specific signals. In some brains, these receptors work differently from the way they work in other brains, and this can lead to increased activity in certain areas of the brain. This increased activity might contribute to challenging behaviour in some autistic people.
Antipsychotic drugs block specific receptors, and it’s thought that this reduces activity in parts of the brain. In turn, this might help to reduce challenging behaviour for some autistic people.
What does the use of atypical antipsychotics involve?
If a child is using atypical antipsychotic medicine, the medicine can be swallowed or injected. The specific medicine and dosage depends on each child.
A specialist medical practitioner like a paediatrician or psychiatrist must monitor the child taking the medicine. The child needs regular appointments with this professional, as well as regular check-ups to monitor their growth and health, including their weight gain and liver function.
Do atypical antipsychotics help autistic children?
Some research has shown positive effects from this therapy, and some atypical antipsychotics might reduce severe irritability, aggression, self-injury and hyperactivity in the short-term.
But not all children respond to atypical antipsychotics in the same way, and some children might experience side effects.
More high-quality studies are needed to weigh up any positive effects against potential long-term risks or side effects.
Who prescribes atypical antipsychotics?
GPs, paediatricians and psychiatrists can prescribe atypical antipsychotics and give you information about the potential benefits and risks of using them.
Where can you find a doctor who prescribes atypical antipsychotics?
If you’re interested in atypical antipsychotics, see your GP, a paediatrician or a child psychiatrist.
You can find psychiatrists at Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists – Find a psychiatrist.
How are parents involved if their autistic child is taking atypical antipsychotics?
If your child is taking atypical antipsychotics, you need to be involved to ensure that your child takes the medicine as prescribed. You also need to monitor the effects of the medicine.
How much do atypical antipsychotics cost?
The cost of this therapy depends on the brand of medicine used and its dose or strength. It also depends on whether the medicine is covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and whether you hold a concession card like a Health Care Card.
Therapies and supports for autistic children range from behavioural therapies and developmental approaches to medicines and alternative therapies. When you understand the main types of therapies and supports for autistic children, it’ll be easier to work out the approach that will best suit your child.