Inadequate evidence has been reported as the cause contradicting the use of medical interventions in adolescents and young adults with autism.

According to a recent analysis by researchers at Vanderbuilt University and their findings published in Pediatrics, even though adolescents with autism are being prescribed medication, there is little to no evidence showing whether these medications are helpful.

Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigator commented, “We need more research to be able to understand how to treat core symptoms of autism in this population, as well as common associated symptoms such as anxiety, compulsive behaviors and agitation.”

Because of this lack of evidence, clinicians, families and patients make hasty decisions regarding medication, often without completely knowing which treatments could make things better or what might make them worse. In previous research it has also been seen that even early age interventions do not have sufficient evidence to support any particular approach.

This specific analysis is a portion of research on interventions for adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders that has found little evidence to support conclusions for all therapies currently used, good or bad.

These researchers investigated over 4,500 studies and specifically reviewed 32 studies on therapies for people ages 13 to 30 with autism spectrum disorders. They concentrated on the results, such as harmful and unfavorable effects of interventions, including educational, behavioral, vocational, and medical.

It was revealed that some treatments could improve social skills and educational outcomes like vocabulary or reading, but these studies were small and had little follow-ups.

The most constant finding was seen in relation to the effects of antipsychotic medications on reducing behaviors associated with autism such as aggressiveness and irritability. Harms seen with this type of medication include weight gain and sedation. There was limited to no evidence in favor of using medical interventions in adolescents and young adults with autism.

In regards to vocational interventions, researchers saw them to be effective for some people but not others, with several study flaws present, reducing confidence in their conclusions.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that one in 88 children suffers from an autism spectrum disorder. Boys outnumber girls 5-to-1, estimating that one in every 54 boys in the United States has autism. The authors concluded that much remains to be learned on the topic of interventions and adolescents with autism.

Written by Kelly Fitzgerald