How Common Are Mental Health Medications Among Young People With Autism?

What you need to know

• Most young autistic people (72%) in this study did not use mental health medications
• When medications were used, they were most commonly for attention difficulties, challenging behaviors, and sleep issues
• More research is needed to understand how these medications work specifically in autistic individuals

Understanding Medication Use in Autism

When a child or teen is diagnosed with autism, parents often have questions about whether medications might help with certain challenges their child faces. While autism itself isn’t treated with medication, some autistic individuals may be prescribed medications to help with co-occurring conditions like attention difficulties or anxiety.

The Research Picture

This study looked at medication use among 239 autistic children and young people (up to age 21) in Western Australia. The researchers wanted to understand how common mental health medication use was, what types of medications were being prescribed, and what symptoms they were meant to address.

Key Findings

About one-quarter (28%) of participants had used mental health medications at some point. Among those who did use medications:

• Stimulant medications for attention difficulties were most common (53%)
• Antidepressants were the second most frequently used (36%)
• Other medications included those for seizures, sleep problems, and behavior management
• Most medication users were under 12 years old

Understanding the Context

This study found lower rates of medication use compared to some other countries, where rates can be as high as 80%. This could be due to several factors, including:

• Different approaches to prescribing medications across countries
• Access to non-medication therapies and supports
• Cultural attitudes toward medication use
• Family preferences and resources

What This Means for You

If you’re caring for an autistic child or teen, these findings suggest:

• Most young autistic people don’t take mental health medications
• When medications are used, they typically target specific symptoms rather than autism itself
• Different medication options may be appropriate for different challenges
• It’s important to discuss both medication and non-medication approaches with healthcare providers
• Regular monitoring of medication effectiveness and side effects is essential

Conclusions

• Mental health medications can be helpful tools for some autistic young people, but they aren’t necessary for everyone
• When medications are used, they should be part of a comprehensive care plan that includes other supports and therapies
• More research is needed to better understand how these medications work specifically in autistic individuals