Behavior Problems in Children with Autism can be helped by Parent Training in conjunction with Medication

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded a study that looked at treatment that included medications plus a structured training program for parents and the study showed that when done in concert, these two factors reduce serious behavior problems in children with autism and related conditions.  Parents were taught to modify their children's behavior and learned to enhance their children's daily living skills.

A previous study showed that Risperdal reduced behaviors such as tantrums, aggression, and self-injury in children with autism.  However, once the medications were discontinued, most of the children's symptoms returned.  In addition, risperidone is associated with adverse effects such as weight gain, which can lead to metabolic changes, obesity and related health problems.

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

Families who received parent training in addition to the risperidone had a lower average dose of risperidone required - roughly 14% lower, however, children in both groups gained weight leaving the authors with the impression that there is a need to learn more about the metabolic consequences of medications like risperidone.  Parents who received the training, were given an average of 11 sessions over the course of the study.

The combination group was able to achieve its gains with a lower dose of medication. Plus, it appeared that the benefits of added behavioral treatment increased over time, a strong signal that actively including parents in the treatment of children with PDD could only benefit families, " said lead author Michael Aman, Ph.D.

"Future studies will evaluate whether the benefits of parent training endure over a long period of time," concluded the authors.   The authors would also like to see the training applied to younger children with PDD to prevent the evolutions of serious behavior problems and may also look for ways in which the parent training program can be used in schools and community clinics.

Source:  NIH/National Institute of Mental Health (2009, November 23). Autism: Parent training complements medication for treating behavioral problems in children with PDD.