Abstract
Background: There is increasing evidence that catatonia is an important source of impairment in adolescents and adults with autism. Aim: Review of the evaluation, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of catatonia in autism. Method: Presentation and discussion of a case-vignette spanning early childhood to adulthood. Results: Autistic and catatonic symptoms overlap, yet catatonia is diagnosable in about one of seven adolescents and young adults with autism. Case-reports suggest that benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy are effective treatments in the acute and maintenance phase for people with autism who develop catatonia. Conclusions: Catatonia should be assessed in people with autism when there is an obvious and marked deterioration in movement, vocalizations, pattern of activities, self-care, and practical skills. Benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy are favored options for acute and maintenance treatment in these cases. Further studies on the possible biological-genetic overlap between autism and catatonia would be helpful.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 327-335 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1 2008 |
Keywords
- Autism
- Benzodiazepines
- Catatonia
- Classification
- Electroconvulsive therapy
- Pervasive developmental disorders
- Psychosis
- Treatment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health