الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract This research was done to measure the effects of two different medications (Risperidone and Carbamazepine) besides Behavior Modification as three different lines of treatment of symptoms of ASD. Our sample was sixty newly diagnosed children with ASD aged 3-10 years. The diagnosis was according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the fifth edition. All cases that had neurological or serious medical or psychiatric disorders were excluded from the research. The study includes only patients with EEG abnormalities but without the presence of epileptic fits. These children were chosen according to the inclusion criteria and they were subjected to The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Vineland Social Maturity Scale, IQ test and EEG before the study. Risperidone medication was given to 20 autistic children, plus Behavioral Modification Therapy (3 sessions per week, each session was 30 – 45 minutes) for six months. Carbamazepine medication was given to 20 autistic children, plus Behavioral Modification Therapy for six months. The drug dose was 50 – 200 mg / day. Behavioral Modification Therapy only (3 sessions per week, each session was 30 – 45 minutes) was given to 20 autistic children for 6 months. Then all patients were subjected to CARS, ATEC, Vineland Social Maturity Scale, Stanford – Binet IQ tests the fifth edition and EEG after 6 months of taking these therapies. Data obtained from the study were analyzed and the three groups were compared with each others. The results of this research showed statistically significant improvements in autistic symptoms after the research in the three groups. Risperidone and Carbamazepine are effective and well- tolerated medications. The findings of Risperidone group were more significant in the treatment of autistic symptoms measured by CARS and ATEC (in irritability, verbal and non-verbal communication, imitation skills, repetitive behaviors, sociability and cognitive awareness). On the other hand, it may increase the EEG abnormalities. On the other hand, Cabamazepine group show great improvements in EEG abnormalities more than improvements in autistic symptoms. Behavior Modification only group also, show improvements in autistic symptoms (in sociability and cognitive awareness) but less than Risperidone and Behavior Modification group. |