Developmental disorders cause impairments in children related to cognition, communication, physicality, and behaviour. In many cases, these disorders are present prior to birth. In others, they may result from an injury, infection, exposure to environmental toxins, or substance abuse during pregnancy.
While they’re not curable, developmental disorders can be sufficiently managed using a number of treatments. This typically includes therapeutic approaches, special education, and counselling. While medication can’t reverse the effects of developmental disorders, it can limit some of their symptoms.
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) address issues like irritability, anxiety, and repetitive behaviours. Tricyclics are another type of antidepressant used to treat obsessive-compulsive behaviours, as well as depression. While both SSRIs and tricyclics are effective, tricyclics are often associated with fewer side effects.
Irritability is a major issue with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but certain psychoactive medications can mitigate this effect. They can also reduce instances of hyperactivity and aggression. Risperidone is a common psychoactive drug that’s highly effective for children between the ages of 5 and 16 who experience ASD.
People with ASD and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can use stimulants to relieve symptoms associated with these conditions. Stimulants enhance focus and reduce hyperactivity, especially for people with mild forms of ASD.
Many people with developmental disorders like ASD and ADHD also experience problems with anxiety and panic. Anti-anxiety medications reduce issues related to anxiety, as well as having a positive effect on panic attacks, which are abrupt episodes of intense fear that do not have a legitimate basis (i.e., there is no real threat causing instances of panic).
Seizure disorders can also frequently accompany developmental disorders, particularly when it comes to ASD. Anticonvulsants treat seizure symptoms like jerking, involuntary movements, and periods of staring while seemingly frozen.
While the above medications are most often used to treat people with ASD and ADHD, they’re also beneficial to other developmental disorders. For example, the psychoactive drug risperidone can help people with Tourette syndrome, which is a tic disorder. Other drugs can also be used to mitigate the effects of developmental disorders. For those with cerebral palsy, which impacts balance, posture, and movement, muscle relaxants like benzodiazepine can reduce spasticity of the muscles. A class of drugs known as anticholinergics can also be used to block nerve impulses to reduce involuntary movements and other effects.