Trenna Sutcliffe, M.D.

There are non-stimulants that we use. One is called Stratera, which also acts on norepinephrine and increasing the norepinephrine levels in the synapses. And then there's a couple of old blood pressure medications we use. One's called Guafacine. The other one's Clonidine. Those are alpha-2 agonists. So they act in a different way with closing channels in the postsynaptic neurons.

There are non-stimulants that we use. One is called Stratera, which also acts on norepinephrine and increasing the norepinephrine levels in the synapses. And then there's a couple of old blood pressure medications we use. One's called Guafacine. The other one's Clonidine. Those are alpha-2 agonists. So they act in a different way with closing channels in the postsynaptic neurons.

So it's a different mechanism. But all of those medications also help with the communication between neurons in the attention center in the brain. The difference is the non-stimulants have to be taken every day, unlike the stimulants, in order for them to work. So meaning they're taken every day and you need a steady state in your body.

So it's a different mechanism. But all of those medications also help with the communication between neurons in the attention center in the brain. The difference is the non-stimulants have to be taken every day, unlike the stimulants, in order for them to work. So meaning they're taken every day and you need a steady state in your body.

Oh, you mix them often. You do. And so often they do not have the side effects with the poor appetite. And sometimes they can be really good with kids who have some emotional dysregulation, impulsive emotions. So we'll often use them with a child who has a little bit of that irritability, emotional dysregulation. And sometimes we're using both the stimulant and the non-stimulant at the same time.

Oh, you mix them often. You do. And so often they do not have the side effects with the poor appetite. And sometimes they can be really good with kids who have some emotional dysregulation, impulsive emotions. So we'll often use them with a child who has a little bit of that irritability, emotional dysregulation. And sometimes we're using both the stimulant and the non-stimulant at the same time.

There's no medication that treats the core symptoms of autism. The core symptoms don't require medication. It's therapy. We use medication in kids with autism to treat target behaviors and symptoms. So we use medication for the symptoms, no matter the label. So whether or not the child with autism has ADHD or not, we still may use an ADHD medicine.

There's no medication that treats the core symptoms of autism. The core symptoms don't require medication. It's therapy. We use medication in kids with autism to treat target behaviors and symptoms. So we use medication for the symptoms, no matter the label. So whether or not the child with autism has ADHD or not, we still may use an ADHD medicine.

If they're hyperactive or impulsive, we still may use it, whether or not the label's there.

If they're hyperactive or impulsive, we still may use it, whether or not the label's there.

Correct. So the target symptoms we usually treat, it is the attention hyperactivity impulsivity, where we'll be using the stimulants, or the challenges with emotional regulation, where we'll use a non-stimulant. We may use an anxiety medicine, so a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, SSRIs, such as Prozac or Zoloft. We may use that. For anxious feelings,

Correct. So the target symptoms we usually treat, it is the attention hyperactivity impulsivity, where we'll be using the stimulants, or the challenges with emotional regulation, where we'll use a non-stimulant. We may use an anxiety medicine, so a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, SSRIs, such as Prozac or Zoloft. We may use that. For anxious feelings,

We also use that sometimes for rigidity. So kids with autism who struggle with rigidity and transitions, it's often anxiety related. So we'll use the SSRIs there. And then kids who have really aggressive behaviors and may injure themselves, then we are talking about atypical antipsychotics. I'll just share with you, I don't use a lot of those myself.

We also use that sometimes for rigidity. So kids with autism who struggle with rigidity and transitions, it's often anxiety related. So we'll use the SSRIs there. And then kids who have really aggressive behaviors and may injure themselves, then we are talking about atypical antipsychotics. I'll just share with you, I don't use a lot of those myself.

At that point, if the child is having those difficulties, I often work with a psychiatrist.

At that point, if the child is having those difficulties, I often work with a psychiatrist.

Well, with the stimulants, It can be pretty quick. They're like, we're glad we did this. And this is making a big difference. The impact of stimulants is right away. You see the benefits right away.

Well, with the stimulants, It can be pretty quick. They're like, we're glad we did this. And this is making a big difference. The impact of stimulants is right away. You see the benefits right away.

They share with me that it helps them with their focus. They feel more successful at school. And they share side effects.

They share with me that it helps them with their focus. They feel more successful at school. And they share side effects.