Effectiveness of medication combined with intensive behavioral intervention for reducing aggression in youth with autism spectrum disorder.
BACKGROUND
The use of antipsychotic medications to treat aggression in youths with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is based on open-label trials and efficacy studies. There are no studies examining the combined effectiveness of antipsychotic medications and intensive behavioral intervention (IBI) to treat aggression in ASD.


METHODS
Youths with ASD and aggressive behavior received IBI. Medication use remained stable during the study period and was coded into antipsychotic, mood-stabilizing, and nonstimulant attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)/sleep medication classes. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and survival analyses examined the effects of medication classes on the average number of aggressive behaviors and time to behavior plan success.


RESULTS
Thirty-two youths (mean age = 11.16, standard deviation [SD] = 3.31, range = 4-16 years, 75% male) with ASD received aggression reduction plans. Of these, 25 youths were taking at least one psychiatric medication (antipsychotic n = 18, mood stabilizing n = 10, and nonstimulant ADHD/sleep n = 12). Aggression dropped substantially following implementation of IBI (p < 0.001; d = 1.70). Antipsychotic medication use predicted significantly fewer sessions to achieve behavior plan success (chi(2)(1) = 5.67, p = 0.017; d = 0.93). No other medication classes influenced aggressive behavior (largest chi(2)(1) = 0.16, p = 0.694).


CONCLUSIONS
Behavioral treatment combined with antipsychotic medication was the most effective approach to reducing aggressive behaviors in youths with ASD. Mood-stabilizing and nonstimulant ADHD/sleep medications did not contribute to aggression reduction.
Frazier
Thomas W
TW
Center for Autism, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. fraziet2@ccf.org
Youngstrom
Eric A
EA
Haycook
Travis
T
Sinoff
Aletta
A
Dimitriou
Francine
F
Knapp
Julie
J
Sinclair
Leslie
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents