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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

pharmacotherapy, children with Autism, families, Autism spectrum disorders

College

Nursing

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders have been diagnosed more than ever before in children, and a cure is yet to be found. Until a cure is discovered, families must depend on health care professionals to aid in the management of autism, which includes pharmacological measures. The medications used to treat autism are only used to treat the symptoms of autism; they do not treat the disorder itself (Tuchman 2003). There are a wide variety of pharmacotherapies used to treat autism. The goal of my project was to determine commonly used medications to treat some of the common symptoms of autism and how effective they were in their goal. I also wanted to know if families thought that using medication to treat their child with autism has worked well for them and why or why not. I conducted 20-30 minute interviews with 8 parents of autistic children, done either over the phone or in person. I asked parents what their children were on, how it has affected their children and families and whether they would suggest using medications for other families to manage their child’s autism.

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