Risperidone and Parent Training in Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Abstract

In a recent article in the Journal, Aman et al. 1 Aman M.G. McDougle C.J. Scahill L. et al. Medication and parent training in children with pervasive developmental disorders and serious behavior problems: results from a randomized clinical trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009; 48: 1143-1154 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (212) Google Scholar presented the results of a randomized clinical trial in which they compared the effects of risperidone alone with risperidone with parent training on serious maladaptive behaviors in children with pervasive developmental disorders. The trial showed that risperidone with parent training resulted in a greater decrease of these behaviors than risperidone alone and at a lower dose of risperidone. Dr. Aman et al. replyJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent PsychiatryVol. 49Issue 4PreviewWe appreciate Dr. van Haaren's comments on our recent article.1 We also appreciate the opportunity to articulate the aims and guiding principles of our study. This study followed a previous Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPP) Autism Network (2002) trial that compared the efficacy and safety of risperidone to placebo.2 In that trial, risperidone showed substantial benefit for reducing serious behavioral problems in children with autism. The aim of the present trial was to evaluate the additive benefit of parent training to risperidone alone in a separate but similarly selected sample of children with pervasive developmental disorders. Full-Text PDF