Autism Aggression

One of the most common symptoms in children with autism is aggressive behavior. Aggression can occur in several ways. Physical aggression can be directed toward you, other children, the child himself, or even against inanimate objects. Furthermore, aggression in autistic children is not limited to physical behaviors but also extends to verbal aggression too.

Whether physical or verbal aggression in a child with autism can be very troubling and potentially dangerous. For this reason, children with autism who exhibit aggressive symptoms require more supervision to prevent them from injuring others or themselves.

Naturally, parents do not want to just let this aggression and continue to deal with it as it happens. Therefore, efforts are being made at many levels to discover different ways of dealing with aggression in autistic children and to reduce or at least reduce its impact.

Often, the first options to reduce aggression suggested by doctors is medication - particularly if the aggressive episodes seem especially hazardous to the child or those around him. Keep in mind that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved a drug that specifically treats autism. However, success has been recorded in the use of drugs designated for other conditions to mitigate the symptoms of autism aggressive.

It should be noted, however, that each individual reacts differently to medications, and while some children may respond very well to a certain dose of a drug, others will have a completely different reaction. The process is very individualized and takes careful observation, measurement, and work with a health professional in order to avoid possible side effects or interactions.

Recently, it was the anti-psychotic - especially those who have been approved for the treatment of schizophrenia - which produced the most favorable results in reducing aggression in autism. For example, a 2002 study titled "Risperidone in children with autism and serious behavioral problems" (McCracken, JT, MD, McGough J, MD, et al.), Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, examined the impact of Risperdal (risperidone) on aggression in children with autism. At the end of this 8-week study, 69 percent of the children given Risperdal would be "much improved" or "much improved", against only 12 per cent in the placebo group.

However, many parents do not want to take medication - or care for others - their children with anti-psychotics. These medications come with potential negative side effects and can be dangerous if overdosed. Therefore, alternatives are often sought. Work with your child's doctor may be very important in this process. To try to alter behavior, parents should pay very close attention to what exactly happens before and during an aggressive episode. It is important to try to identify trends that lead to an explosion of aggression.

For example, some parents find that their children suddenly become upset while having their teeth brushed. There are many activities that happen during tooth brushing and each must be considered when assessing what caused the aggressive reaction. Is he open his mouth? Is it the feeling of hair on your teeth, gums, cheeks, roof of the mouth or tongue? A toothbrush gone too far and hit the gag reflex? Is saliva pooling near the back of the mouth (causing a drowning sensation)? Is he drooling? Is it the smell, texture or taste of the toothpaste? Is the foam of the toothpaste? Is it the sensation of spitting or swallowing saliva and toothpaste?

Each element must be examined and tested to see if the situation can be improved. For example, trying different.