Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmacologic Management of ADHD in Children and Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Daniel Coury
Summary
This study is a pragmatic clinical trial examining the comparative effectiveness of two stimulant medications (methylphenidate and amphetamine) in the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents with autism. Using a sequential, multiple assignment randomization trial (SMART) design the study will not only assess these two medications but also the role of an increasingly popular class of ADHD medication, the alpha-2 agonists. Findings from this study will help improve clinicians' approach to medication selection and reduce the repeated trials of multiple medications that are current standard care.
Description
Current data shows that 1 in 54 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additional data shows that those diagnosed with autism are also at risk for being diagnosed with a co-occurring condition such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Managing the symptoms of each can be challenging for providers, patients, and parents. Patients with ASD who are diagnosed with ADHD often face the challenge of finding the best medication options to treat symptoms. It is known that children with ASD and ADHD frequently respond differently to these treatme…