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pharmacological therapy is a real help?

Gianfry
Hello everyone. I am the father of a 21-year-old autistic young man with medium-high functioning. Many of his peers take drugs mainly as mood stabilizers. I have many doubts about the advisability of administering these drugs to my son even if he sometimes shows strong stereotypies and prolonged echolalia. I would really like to know if there are many or few young autistic adults taking drugs and what you think about it.
  • in reply to Sunflower

    Thank you so much for the link to the annafreud website. I will examine it carefully.

    And thanks a lot for the compliments to my son: he was very happy to know that someone in England has seen and appreciated his work and his commitment to the defense of the wolves and the environment. Thank you very much

  • in reply to Gianfry

    Sleep is so important to wellbeing and it is frequently a problem for autistic people. I am very glad that here in the UK research funding has been granted to look at this issue. 

    Regarding coping strategies I was interested to see that the Anna Freud website has 85 self care strategies for young people, suggested by young people.

    Although not specifically designed for autistic young people some of these coping strategies look like they might be helpful (I am going to try some myself): https://www.annafreud.org/selfcare/

    Your son's art is wonderful! I followed the link on your profile and saw some of his work. He has a real talent. I hope you will post some of his work on this forum, if he agrees, so that other people can enjoy it. 

  • Thank you very much for the your reply. I very much agree with gathering as much information as possible to make a clear and effective decision. In our experience only around eight years, when there was still no certainty about autism (!!), there was a proposal by the neo-psychiatrists a medication like psycho-drug. We administered it for about six months but then, since we did not see results and that we needed continuous blood sampling, we decided to stop. Now our basic attitude is to try to do without it as much as possible and work hard on the awareness of stress and its sensory reactions to external and internal solicitation. The goal is to grow in him a greater clarity on its operation and on the possibilities of doing something (relax, listen to music, stay in dim light and in silent place, etc.) independently to prevent and counter crisis and increase its daily well-being.
    But we are aware as parents that this can not always be enough. We know that perhaps it could serve as a pharmacological aid, especially to ensure a good night's rest in the most difficult periods, just as it happens to all the other companions of therapy.

  • I was a social worker in a specialist mental health and learning disability service some years ago. Many of the adults I worked with were autistic - mostly undiagnosed. Properly prescribed medication can sometimes be of therapeutic value, particularly when used as part of a multi-dimensional strategy. There is no medication for autism itself of course, drugs are prescribed for associated conditions like anxiety, depression or epilepsy. 

    It is always worth doing your own research about side effects of prescribed medication - in my experience this information is rarely discussed in sufficient detail for an informed decision to be made. Due to possible sensitivity to medication and atypical reactions prescribing for autistic people needs to be cautious, with frequent medical checks, especially in the early stages. How does your son feel about medication? It is important that he makes an informed choice about this. 

    I developed extreme anxiety last year after my much loved dog died and I was bullied at work. The psychologist who diagnosed me autistic (in Nov 2018) encouraged me to try medication alongside other interventions. I took Propanalol (a Beta-blocker) to switch off unpleasant symptoms of anxiety while I did psychological therapy and sorted out work related problems. I found it very helpful for a few weeks. I don't take it all the time now, just when I feel particularly anxious or stressed. 

    Unfortunately medication has sometimes been used to suppress behaviours that autistic people find helpful, like stimmimg, because other people feel uncomfortable about them. Stimmimg (echolalia is a verbal form) can be an effective way of reducing anxiety. It is worth encouraging your son to understand and reduce the causes of stress in his life if this appears to be an issue for him. Although medication might be part of the answer, at least in the short term, it is important to consider causal factors, and lifestyle issues, not just treat symptoms. 

    I can't comment on rates of young autistic people taking medication but there may be recent research which contains relevant information. I am sure other parents on the forum will offer insights too.

    Very best wishes to you and your son. 

  • in reply to Bookworm

    when I talk about drug therapy I mean medication

  • in reply to Bookworm

    I totally agree. Of course I was talking about drug therapies prescribed by neuropsychiatrists or other specialists

  • I'd say unless its prescribed by somebody professional your son should avoid it. People with AS can have quite a strong reaction to drugs, particularly recreational drugs I'd say avoid at all costs unless advised otherwise by a specialist in ASD