NEWS: Behavioral Therapy Boosts Treatment of Serious Behavior Problems in Autism Compared to Medication Alone

For those interested in the use of medications, behavior therapy, the combination of both in treating serious behaviors in pervasive developmental disorders, and use of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) in evaluating treatments, this article by Michelle Diament of Disability Scoop will be of interest. It describes study results that reported that the most effective results for treatment of problem behaviors in the study group of 4-13 year-olds with autism was a combination of parent training in use of behavioral therapy and medication vs. medication alone, with the improvements derived from parent training continued to increase over time. The research article itself will also be of interest; at the current time the article is available in free open access from the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry's December issue.


A significant statement has been made by Thomas R. Insel, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) regarding the results of this study,

“Medication alone has been shown to help with some symptoms of autism, but its potential is limited...This study shows promise of a more effective treatment protocol that could improve life for children with autism and their families."

ABA International members Eric Butter, Ph.D. and James A. Mulick, Ph.D. are two of the team of researchers who authored the research article.

Behavior Therapy Plus Medication Most Successful For Kids With Autism
By Michelle Diament
November 23, 2009
Disability Scoop 11/23/09

"Children with autism experienced fewer behaviors and needed less medication when their parents used behavior therapy in addition to medication, new research shows."

Aman, M.G., McDougle, C.J.,Scahill, L., Handen ,B., Arnold, L. E., et. al.(2009). Medication and parent training in children with pervasive developmental disorders and serious behavior problems: Results from a randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,48(12),1143-1154.
doi: 10.1097/CHI. 0b013e3181bfd669

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Related:
NIMH Press Release
November 20, 2009
Parent Training Complements Medication for Treating Behavioral Problems in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders

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