Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, affects 1 in 44 children in the U.S. today. While there is no cure for autism, medication management therapy can reduce some common autism symptoms interfering with your teen’s health and happiness. There are several types of medications that can help your teen, and the best thing you can do is get them in a medication management program to find the correct medications and dosage to benefit your teen the most.
At Camp Worth, we combine medication management therapy and behavioral therapies to aid in developing teen boys and girls aged 11-17 living with autism. We know that no two cases are the same and will create a tailored treatment program based on your teen’s individual medical needs. Our medical staff will administer medications to find the right dosages for maximum benefits with minimal side effects. If you need help managing your teen’s medication, call 855.915.2545 today to see how our autism treatment facility in Fort Worth can benefit your teen’s development.
How Can Medication Management Therapy Help Your Teen Living with Autism?
There is no single pill or prescription that can stop all of the various symptoms of ASD. It requires different medications that treat one or multiple symptoms, such as mood disorders, gastrointestinal disease, and other mental and physical symptoms. Fortunately, the combination of several medications can address the majority of the problematic symptoms of autism and reduce the symptoms that interfere with your teen’s development.
Some of the autism symptoms that medication management therapy can reduce include:
- Depression
- Aggressive behavior
- Irritability
- Hyperactivity
- Anxiety
- Panic disorders
- Seizures
The medications useful for reducing autism symptoms are off-label medications, meaning they are approved to treat other medical and mental issues but not autism specifically. Each patient reacts differently to medications, and it may take some time to find the right combination. At Camp Worth, our medical team will work with your teen and find the right combination and dosages to give them the maximum benefits from their medication management therapy.
Medication Therapy Management Examples
There are only two FDA-approved medications to treat autism spectrum disorder, Risperidone, and Aripiprazole. These medications reduce irritability and aggressive behaviors in children with autism. Other medications therapy management examples that are beneficial in reducing autism symptoms include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – This medication helps treat depression, and anxiety and may reduce repetitive behavior, tantrums, and aggressive behavior.
- Tricyclics – This is an antidepressant that treats depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Some patients find tricyclics to be more effective than SSRIs in reducing their symptoms.
- Psychoactive or anti-psychotic medications – These medications will reduce hyperactivity, irritability, and other typical autism symptoms.
- Stimulants – Stimulants can increase focus while reducing ADHD symptoms for teens with mild symptoms.
- Anti-anxiety medications – These medications will reduce social anxiety and panic disorders common with autism. These can help reduce relationship issues in social settings and temper tantrums and meltdowns.
- Anticonvulsants – Epilepsy and other seizure disorders are common with autism, and this medication will minimize the number of seizures they may experience.
All of these medications can help individuals looking to address and manage ASD.
Camp Worth: Helping Teens Reduce Autism Symptoms Through Our Medication Management Program
At Camp Worth, we support teen boys and girls whose autism symptoms interfere with their natural development. While we prefer to treat your teen with more holistic therapies, we understand the benefits certain medications have in improving your teen’s life. Your child’s treatment program will combine behavioral therapies and medication management therapy for a more effective treatment program that promotes a healthy and independent lifestyle.
Call 855.915.2545 or fill out our online form today for more information about our medication management program.
