Medications

Symptoms of cognitive deficits such as aggression, sleep problems, attention deficits, and anxiety can be treated with medication in addition to behavioral approaches. Medication is commonly used in children and adults with cognitive deficits for the treatment of psychiatric disorders as well as behavior problems. In general, medication therapy is used in combination with behavioral treatments and is considered to be only one component of a broad treatment plan.

Examples of such medications include the following:

• Attentional deficits: Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or dextroamphetamine

• Aggression, irritability, stereotypy:-Clonidine, guanfacine, and antipsychotics such as risperidone

• Anxiety: BuSpar, bupropion (Wellbutrin) and SSRIs such as fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft) (SSRIs have recently received a black box warning from the US Food and Drug Administration. These medications may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and should be used with caution.)

• Sleep: Melatonin, clonidine