Studies show vitamin D reduces manifestations of ASD “After four months, vitamin D supplementation significantly improved the core manifestations of ASD, which include irritability, hyperactivity, social withdrawal, stereotypic behavior, and inappropriate speech.
Risperidone (Risperdal®)
Risperidone is an antipsychotic and mood stabilizer medication and is also used for treatment of irritability of autism and tic disorders.
During a meltdown: what to do
Give your child space, don't touch them, and keep other people away. Turn down lights and keep things quiet, or give your child noise-cancelling headphones. Let one person speak to your child, but don't say too much. Stay calm and wait.
The SSRIs most commonly prescribed to autistic people are fluoxetine and sertraline. Sertraline is often the top choice because its side effects are milder than those of other SSRIs and because it has fewer interactions with other drugs.
Physicians have reported that irritability impacts a majority of pediatric ASD patients. The presentation of ASD-associated irritability can vary with autism severity and age and can be caused by a broad array of different factors including lack of sleep, the inability to communicate pain, and mental health conditions.
Asperger's syndrome is also known as high-functioning autism. People with this disorder have difficulty in a variety of situations and, as a result, they are prone to angry outbursts. These outbursts generally happen because the person has trouble identifying their emotions or expressing them.
Effects of nutritional supplementation on hetero-aggression
In these studies, fish oil (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid), omega-3 fatty acids and essential fatty acids, vitamin D, or L-tryptophan were used for supplementation. Mixed effects of nutritional supplementation were reported by seven studies.
Unfortunately, it is not known whether vitamin B6 makes any difference in those conditions because it has not been studied in controlled trials. The Autism Research Institute's (ARI) website noted in the past that 46% of children improve with vitamin B6 and magnesium.
Children who show signs of aggressive behavior may benefit from omega-3, vitamin, and mineral supplementation. Children who show signs of aggressive behavior may benefit from omega-3, vitamin, and mineral supplementation.
Irritability in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is common and impairing, yet its mechanisms remain understudied. We investigated symptom reporting and mechanisms of irritability in ASD, focusing on the relation between irritability and physiological stress responses.
SSRIs that have been shown to help with anger include citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), among others. Sertraline seems to have the most supporting data. Other classes of antidepressants, like serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), aren't widely used for treating anger.
Strategies to consider include distraction, diversion, helping the person use calming strategies such as fiddle toys or listening to music, removing any potential triggers, and staying calm yourself.
Sensory overload, changes in routine, social isolation, co-occurring conditions, and lack of support can all exacerbate the symptoms of autism. However, with early intervention, therapy, and support, individuals with autism can manage these challenges and improve their quality of life.
The model includes six phases: Calm, Triggers, Agitation, Meltdowns, Re-Grouping, and Starting Over.
''Autistic burnout is a state of physical and mental fatigue, heightened stress, and diminished capacity to manage life skills, sensory input, and/or social interactions, which comes from years of being severely overtaxed by the strain of trying to live up to demands that are out of sync with our needs.''
The best food for children with autism are fatty fish, eggs, grass-fed beef, sustainably raised animal proteins, shellfish, beans, nuts, and seeds. Research has found that fatty fish such as salmon and free-range eggs share the healthy omega 3 acid. Foods that contain omega 3s help fight inflammation in the body.
High functioning autism (HFA) is a subtype of autism that describes individuals with average or above-average intelligence and language skills, but who still struggle with social communication and behavior. Like other forms of autism, HFA symptoms can change over time, but it does not necessarily get worse with age.
Autism doesn't get worse with age, but certain symptoms can become more pronounced and problematic as the child grows older and is more challenged.
Greens, blues, pinks, soft oranges and neutrals can be very comforting. Keeping the colors muted, these tones can quiet the mind and create calm.
In children and teenagers with high-functioning autism, this can present as a limited social circle, difficulty completing group work, or problems sharing toys and materials. Many people with ASD have sensory difficulties. Certain tastes, noises, smells, or feelings can be intolerable.
Medications for co-occurring conditions may also reduce sensory overload. In autistic people, for example, the medication aripiprazole (Abilify) may be helpful. Many people can manage episodes of sensory overload with specific techniques and home care.