Research shows that between 50 and 78% of children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder may also have symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. In fact these symptoms are subsumed under a diagnosis of Autism or Asperger’s (ASD) and generally do not necessitate a secondary diagnosis of AD/HD. Because attention related symptoms are so common in children with Spectrum Disorders Dr. Deborah Pearson decided to examine the effectiveness of stimulant medication in treating these symptoms in children with ASD. Stimulant medications include but are not limited to Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta and Focalin. Dr. Pearson has cited the RUPP study (as the largest of many studies) examining the effect of Methylphenidate (a stimulant) in treating hyperactivity and inattention. Only 49% of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder responded clinically to this treatment compared to 75% of the general population. This means that while stimulant medication is not as effective for individuals on the Spectrum as it may be for the general population, it does provide some benefit about half of the time. The response across all individuals studied indicates that responses varied from very effective to having adverse effects (such as increased irritability or social withdrawal). Dr. Pearson also noted that when the medication did have a therapeutic effect children were often less irritable and effects were noted with small doses of the medication. This is promising research indicating that stimulant medication can be helpful in treating “classic AD/HD” symptoms in children on the Autism Spectrum. The information in this blog is derived from a talk by Dr. Deborah Pearson with the University of Texas Medical School at Houston which was presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research May 13, 2011.
Written by Dr. Anna Kroncke,Ph.D., NCSP