The Role of Psychotropic Medications in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Charles Cartwright, MD
Director, YAI Autism Center
March 13, 2013

Dr. Cartwright discusses psychopharmacology in the treatment of core features of autism as well as associated conditions. He explores the current state of the science of treating these core features, namely the social/emotional aspects, the language and communication issues, and cognitive rigidity, inflexibility, and obsessional patterns of interest. The presentation addresses issues around diagnostic evaluation, the role of mood dysregulation, the range of anxiety presentations, the features of impulse control disorders, the presentation of comorbid ADHD, as well as tics and Tourette’s. Dr. Cartwright attempts to separate anxiety-driven repetitive behaviors from urge/impulse-control related repetitive behaviors, and the subsequent treatment implications.

Charles Cartwright, M.D., is Director of the Autism Center at the YAI Network. He is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders in children, adolescents and adults. He is a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist and a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Division, at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.