Efficacy of Methylphenidate Among Children with Autism and Symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 245 - 255
• Main Authors: Handen, Benjamin L., Johnson, Cynthia R., Lubetsky, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.06.2000; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescents; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy; Attention Deficit Disorders; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Autism; Autistic Disorder - drug therapy; Autistic young children; Behavior Change; Behavior Modification; Behavior Rating Scales; Biological and medical sciences; Central Nervous System Stimulants - adverse effects; Central Nervous System Stimulants - therapeutic use; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; Cross-Over Studies; Double blind studies; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy; Female; Humans; Hyperactivity; Male; Medical sciences; Methylphenidate; Methylphenidate - adverse effects; Methylphenidate - therapeutic use; Multiple Disabilities; Neuropharmacology; Outcomes of Treatment; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer..., (alzheimer disease); Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology; Stimulants; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Young children; Human; Preschool age; CNS stimulant; Hyperactivity; Psychotropic; Toxicity; Treatment efficiency; Developmental disorder; Dose activity relation; Autism; Symptomatology; Concomitant disease; Chemotherapy; School age; Treatment; Attentional disorder; Follow up study; Child; Methylphenidate
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1005548619694

Thirteen children (ages 5-11) with autism and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of methylphenidate. Eight subjects responded positively, decreasing their hyperactivity. Ratings of stereotypy and inappropriate speech also decreased, however, no changes were found on the Child Autism Rating Scale. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)