Turner Melanie
Child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Director, MyChild Psychiatry and Psychology, Norwood, South Australia.
Senior clinical lecturer, University of Adelaide.
Aust Prescr. 2020 Dec;43(6):185-190. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2020.054. Epub 2020 Dec 1.
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is increasing. It usually presents in childhood with abnormal behaviour and development The diagnosis can be difficult. There are often comorbidities which can cause confusion Non-drug treatments are first line. Drug treatment is not effective for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. However, drugs may have a role in managing comorbidities and related symptoms, such as irritability and aggression Anxiety is a common comorbidity. Cognitive behaviour therapy can be effective, but in some cases selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may have a role Most patients have problems sleeping, but drugs are not usually used to treat sleep disorders in children Antipsychotics, such as risperidone, may be considered for irritability and aggression. Clonidine is first line for children with Tourette syndrome. Patients need regular monitoring because of the adverse effects of these drugs
自闭症谱系障碍的患病率正在上升。它通常在儿童期出现，伴有行为和发育异常，诊断可能困难。常常存在合并症，这可能导致混淆。非药物治疗是一线治疗方法。药物治疗对自闭症谱系障碍的核心症状无效。然而，药物可能在管理合并症及相关症状（如易怒和攻击行为）方面发挥作用。焦虑是常见的合并症。认知行为疗法可能有效，但在某些情况下，选择性5-羟色胺再摄取抑制剂可能有用。大多数患者存在睡眠问题，但通常不使用药物治疗儿童睡眠障碍。对于易怒和攻击行为，可考虑使用抗精神病药物，如利培酮。可乐定是治疗抽动秽语综合征儿童的一线药物。由于这些药物的不良反应，患者需要定期监测。
