A Comparison of the Stress Survey Schedule in Children with Autism and Typically Developing Children: A Brief Report.

Past research suggests that stress and anxiety are more prevalent in persons with autism as compared to typically developing persons. The Stress Survey Schedule (SSS) was developed in 2001 as a means to measure stressors common to persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The present study compared SSS responses of a sample of students diagnosed with ASD and intellectual disability with a group of typically developing students to explore the divergent validity and internal consistency of this measure, and to assess changes in scores among pre-adolescent and adolescent populations.

A placebo double-blind pilot study of dextromethorphan for problematic behaviors in children with autism.

We used a mixed group/single-case, double-blind, placebo-controlled, ABAB design to examine the safety and efficacy of the glutamate antagonist dextromethorphan for the treatment of problematic behaviors and core symptoms in eight children diagnosed with autism. All participants had increased levels of irritability at baseline as measured by the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, and demonstrated a wide variety of problematic behaviors. Group analyses revealed that dextromethorphan was equivalent to placebo in the treatment of problem behaviors and core symptoms.

The treatment of the behavioral sequelae of autism with dextromethorphan: a case report.

Dextromethorphan is the d-isomer of levorphenol, and an ingredient in antitussive preparations. A 10 year-old male diagnosed with Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder was administered this medication initially to treat a medical condition. This became a quasi-experimental ABAB design (A = baseline, B = treatment), with improvements during treatment phases shown in tracked behavioral data and anecdotal reports.