Predictors of Psychotropic Medication Use Among Autistic Adults
Océane Mahé1,2, Shasha Morel-Kohlmeyer3,4,5, Frédéric Briend3,5
1EXcellence Center in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders - Tours ExAC-T, Tours, France. O.mahe@chu-tours.fr.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|August 5, 2025
Summary
Psychotropic medication is common in autistic adults, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Co-occurring conditions like epilepsy and mood disorders increase the need for multiple medications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects social communication and behavior.
- No current psychotropic treatments address core autism symptoms.
- Understanding medication use in autistic adults is crucial for effective care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of psychotropic medication use in autistic adults.
- To examine demographic, diagnostic, and functional factors associated with pharmacotherapy.
- To differentiate medication patterns in ASD alone versus ASD with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 391 adult records from a French Autism Resource Center.
- Participants categorized into Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), and combined ASD+IDD groups.
- Multinomial logistic regression analyses to identify factors predicting psychotropic monotherapy and polytherapy.
Main Results:
- 44.9% of autistic adults with IDD received multiple psychotropic medications, compared to 17% without IDD.
- Predictors for polytherapy included older age, epilepsy, and externalizing behaviors.
- Anxiety and mood disorders predicted monotherapy and polytherapy; IDD was a significant factor for polytherapy.
Conclusions:
- Co-occurring IDD, older age, epilepsy, anxiety, mood disorders, and externalizing behaviors predict psychotropic medication use in autistic adults.
- Higher rates of polypharmacy in autistic adults with IDD warrant concern.
- Need for improved psychoeducational support and targeted treatments for this population.
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