Fluoxetine Study Results – Autism Speaks study
Fluoxetine Study
Autism Speaks has been sponsoring a medical study using Fluoxetine in children with autism to decrease repetitive behaviors. Fluoxetine is one of the most widely prescribed central nervous system drugs. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor is often prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other disorders. The initial results reported by Autism Speaks did not prove the efficacy of this medication in reducing repetitive behaviors.
My main frustration with this study, and others like it, is that a medication is being used to attempt to “stop” repetitive behaviors rather than studying the function or cause of the individual’s repetitive behavior. It is my belief that repetitive and restrictive behaviors have a function (indeed every person I know has repetitive and restrictive behaviors, but theirs are considered “normal”) and don’t necessarily need to be stopped. What needs to happen is that these behaviors need to be examined individually and if the behaviors are in some one harming themselves or others, or if they are impeding the person in anyway, then a replacement behavior which serves the same function or a program which serves to fulfill the need the repetitive behaviors are filling needs to be employed. Unfortunately people continue to view repetitive and restrictive behaviors as completely non-functional and something that needs to be stopped, and there continues to be a search for a medication that will stop these behaviors. That’s just what our society needs…more medication.
Full-Text Article About Fluoxetine in Medical News Today
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My 5 1/2 year old son was diagnosed with Autism about 2 years ago. In some ways he is doing great — sight reading, compliance, GI function, computer skills, much improved physical ability. This and other skills have been helped by therapy, ABA and diet/vitamins.
My problem is that he spends nearly every second of the day (while not in ABA or therapy) scripting from books/movies. He only takes a break to have his needs met (ex: I’m hungry or I want to go swimming). He even scripts while riding his bike. Sometimes he appears so into his script while on his bike that it looks like he will crash (hasn’t yet). I have tried to join in his scripts, but he doesn’t like it one bit. He will physically find any way he can to distance himself from me. I’ve tried to interrupt his scripts too and force him to answer questions, but he gets so mad at me. This behavior goes hand in hand with his lining up. It’s a need to escape reality. He shows us (when he is with us) that he is quite bright when it comes to concrete concepts (letters, numbers, colors, reading, computer), but the social stuff is just not there. The only REAL typical age appropriate social interaction we get is when we rough house with him or have a pillow fight. He loves it and his eyes light up and he requests more and tries to get us with the pillows too. It takes SO much energy all day to get even a little bit of true engagement. HELP! The scripting is driving us crazy.
I posted my response to this question here: Scripting Help