ABSTRACT
As part of integrated treatment programs, different medications with an effect on the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems were used in patients with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) (McDougle et al., 2000). The
dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol was extensively studied in children with PDD, and it was associated with improvement in hyperactivity, aggression, and temper tantrums (Anderson and Campbell, 1989; Perry et al., 1989). High sensitivity to side effects, namely extrapyramidal symptoms and tardive dyskinesia, have limited their use in autistic children (Campbell et al., 1997). Furthermore, neuroleptics are less effective on the core symptoms of autism: social withdrawal, lack of emotional reciprocity, and absent or stereotyped language (Locascio et al., 1991).
