ABSTRACT
The primary treatment for autism is educational, an intensive behavioral approach that has become widespread despite some lingering controversy. Biological treatments are strictly adjunctive at present. These consist of primarily psychotropic medications that address certain aspects of the core symptoms such as stimulants for hyperactivity and inattention, clonidine for insomnia, selective serotoninreuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for repetitive obsessive-compulsive-like behaviors and antipsychotics for aggression. When these medications are effective they often also have a beneficial effect on language and social relatedness. In summary, they have a limited impact on some autistic symptoms in some patients.
