title: Effects associated with on- and off-label stimulant treatment of core autism and ADHD symptoms exhibited by children with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Families of children with autism spectrum disorder are barraged by different treatment options. Some of these options have the support of empirical evidence while others do not. Stimulant treatments are typically utilized to treat symptoms of ADHD indicating an on-label use of such treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study examines the association of stimulant treatment with the on- (symptoms of ADHD) and off- (symptoms of ASD) label symptoms among children with ASD via a non-clinical, population-based sample.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicate no significant association of stimulant treatment with a reduction of on- or off-label symptoms among children with ASD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stimulant medications utilized in the treatment of DSM core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder would be considered an off-label use because there is limited evidence to support that stimulants are effective in treating core symptoms of ASD, which is supported by the results of the current study.
authors.affiliation: a College of Education, Texas Tech University , Lubbock , Texas , USA .
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barnard-Brak
authors.affiliation: b Department of Educational Psychology , School of Education, Baylor University , Waco , Texas , USA , and.
authors.forename: Tonya N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: c College of Education, Texas Tech University , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: c College of Education, Texas Tech University , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Richman
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D056687:Off-Label Use; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012919:Social Behavior; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants
keywords: Autism; autism spectrum disorder; on- off-label medications; psychotropic medications; stimulant medications