Biological Interventions for Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (continued)

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A less frequently used group of medications is antipsychotic drugs. However, a limited number of drug trials exists with children and adolescents using antipsychotic medication (Brown, Dingle, & Landau, 1994). Among children, antipsychotic medications are most commonly used for such developmental disorders as autism and severe aggression, with target symptoms of overactivity, aggression, hallucinations, delusions, and agitation.

The most commonly prescribed medications for children and youth identified as emotionally/behaviorally disordered are stimulants. Of these, the two most frequently prescribed are Ritalin and Dexedrine. Dexedrine is used with children who have not responded to Ritalin. The side effects of stimulants are similar and can be managed by administering the medication early in the day, after meals, and planning the time for other doses. An advantage of stimulants is that they last a short time, so may be administered when behavior is most problematic (Brown, Dingle & Landau, 1994).

There are several other medications that are used less frequently with learners identified as emotionally/behaviorally disordered. Antihistamines are sometimes prescribed for children and youth with insomnia. Antianxiety agents are very rarely used because few data on their efficacy and safety with children are available. These medications are reserved for times and occasions when other interventions are insufficient or inadequate (Brown, Dingle, & Landau, 1994). The use of antianxiety agents is discouraged for individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder because they can produce symptoms of excitation and agitation.

Anticonvulsants are generally not the agent of choice for emotional/behavioral disorders and are typically used only when children have not responded to other medications (Brown, Dingle, & Landau, 1994). With regard to other medications, lithium is an effective treatment of bipolar disorder, depression, and severe impulsive aggression (Bukstein, 1992). Clonidine is effective with mood and activity level in some children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder who are highly aroused, overactive, impulsive, and defiant.

Diet

In 1980, the National Advisory Committee on Hyperkinesis and Food Additives issued a position statement that there is no evidence to support the claim that artificial food coloring, artificial flavoring, and salicylate produce hyperactivity and learning disabilities. The Committee suggested that changes that are observed in children's behavior are related to what is called a "placebo effect." Even more recent studies have demonstrated no link between food ingested and problem behavior (Pescara-Kovach & Alexander, 1994).