Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
Volume 17, Issue 4 , Pages 713-738, October 2008

Treatment of Inattention, Overactivity, and Impulsiveness in Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Michael G. Aman, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, 225 Psychology Building, 1835 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    • Department of Psychiatry, Ohio State University, 1670 Upham Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    • The Nisonger Center UCEDD, Ohio State University, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, OH 43210-1296, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. The Nisonger Center, Room 175, Ohio State University, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, OH 43210-1296.
    • ,
  • Cristan A. Farmer, MA

      Affiliations

    • The Nisonger Center UCEDD, Ohio State University, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, OH 43210-1296, USA
    • Intellectual and Developmental Disability Psychology Program, The Nisonger Center, McCampbell Hall, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    • ,
  • Jill Hollway, MA

      Affiliations

    • The Nisonger Center UCEDD, Ohio State University, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, OH 43210-1296, USA
    • Intellectual and Developmental Disability Psychology Program, The Nisonger Center, McCampbell Hall, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    • ,
  • L.Eugene Arnold, Med, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, Ohio State University, 1670 Upham Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    • The Nisonger Center UCEDD, Ohio State University, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, OH 43210-1296, USA

We reviewed the recent literature on medicines used to manage inattention, impulsiveness, and overactivity in children with pervasive developmental disorders (autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, Asperger's disorder) using computer searches of pharmacologic studies. A substantial number of reports were identified and summarized. The literature tends to be dominated by uncontrolled studies, although the number of controlled trials is growing. Findings are described for psychostimulants, noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, alpha adrenergic agonists, antidepressants, anxiolytics, cholinesterase inhibitors, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockers, and antiepileptic mood stabilizers. Evidence for a positive effect is strongest for psychostimulants, noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, and alpha adrenergic agonists. Evidence for efficacy seems weakest for newer antidepressants, anxiolytics, and mood stabilizers.

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 This work was supported in part by Grant No. U10MH66768 from the National Institute of Mental Health.

PII: S1056-4993(08)00039-4

doi:10.1016/j.chc.2008.06.009

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
Volume 17, Issue 4 , Pages 713-738, October 2008

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