ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a brief overview of the most common psychotropic medications used to treat the depression, insomnia, irritability, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that some autistics experience. Where a medication has not been reviewed, it is because there was a dearth of research around the usage of the medication specifically with autistics. Each following section contains the same three sub-sections; (1) an introduction to the co-morbid mental condition in the autistic population, (2) a summary and evaluation of the literature about the common psychotropic medication or medications that are often used to treat that specific condition, and (3) recommendations for research in the future about the psychotropic medication for autistics. This chapter also reviews the literature about Chelation therapy, a dangerous and potentially life-threatening treatment. With the exception of Chelation therapy, the efficacy of the psychotropic medications reviewed are not rated because each autistic’s interaction with the prescription medication is different and should be overseen by a medical doctor. Therefore, it is not possible to rate the probable efficacy of each of the medications, as what works for one person may have no effect or indeed a negative impact on another person. This chapter concludes with a series of views from a group of autistics about their usage of prescription and non-prescription medications.
