title: The pathophysiology, medical management, and dental implications of autism.
abstract: Autism is a lifelong, severe, developmental disorder that appears initially in infancy and early childhood and impairs the acquisition of some of the most important skills in human life. The disease is characterized by impaired social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication deficiencies, limited activities and interest, and repetitive behaviors. Often accompanying the disorder are behavioral disturbances, such as self-mutilation and aggression, psychiatric symptoms, and seizures, which necessitate the administration of multiple medications to help the affected individual participate effectively in the educational and rehabilitative process. Dentists caring for these people must be familiar with the manifestations of the disease and its associated features so that they can garner the maximum level of cooperation. They must also be familiar with the medications used to treat the associated features of the disorder because many of these pharmaceuticals cause untoward orofacial and systemic reactions and may precipitate adverse interactions with dental therapeutic agents.
authors.affiliation: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, and Hospital Dental Service, UCLA Medical Center, CA 90073, USA. arthur.friedlander@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Arthur H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Friedlander
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Yagiela
authors.forename: Victoria I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Paterno
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mahler
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000209:etiology; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors