Joseph L. Calles

Use of Psychotropic Medications in Children with Developmental Disabilities

Working with children who have developmental disorders is challenging. Besides having physical deficits, or intellectual deficits, or both, these children are at high risk for developing psychiatric disorders. This article describes three developmental disorders-autistic spectrum disorders, fragile X syndrome, and fetal alcohol syndrome-and their associated mental health issues, and provides recommendations for pharmacologic interventions.

Psychopharmacologic control of aggression and violence in children and adolescents

Aggression in children and adolescents is commonly displayed in the community and is even more commonly seen in clinical settings. As symptoms of an underlying disorder, aggressive behaviors should be comprehensively evaluated, and developmental, medical, and substance-use disorders should be identified and treated. This article reviews the most common psychiatric conditions associated with aggression and suggests appropriate psychopharmacologic interventions. Tables with recommended agents for each psychiatric disorder, as well as dosing ranges for each agent, are included.

Cognitive-Adaptive Disabilities

Cognitive-adaptive disabilities (CADs) are not frequently seen in the general pediatric setting. Yet, given the high rates of comorbidity in that population, they commonly demand a lot of time and effort on the part of clinicians. One aspect of comorbidity is the degree to which psychiatric disorders occur in children, adolescents, and young adults with CADs. This article reviews the epidemiology, associated psychopathology, and pharmacologic treatment of selected CADs.