Mod 14 Pharmacology and Autism (Poling)

Question 1

Why are psychotropic medications currently prescribed to individuals with autism?

to treat how the brains of individuals with autism are different than the brains of neurotypical individuals
an understanding of the etiology of autism
to cure autism
to reduce troublesome behaviors

Answer 1

to reduce troublesome behaviors

Question 2

What are the core characteristics of autism that Dr. Poling mentions that we would wish to be able to treat to treat with medication, but cannot currently do so?

(Select all that apply)

impaired social interaction
impaired communication
poor eye contact
restricted behavioral repertoire

Answer 2

impaired social interaction
impaired communication
restricted behavioral repertoire

Question 3

There are two drugs currently approved to treat irritability in individuals with autism who are six to sixteen years of age. What are the behaviors Dr. Poling mentions that would fall under the umbrella of irritability?

(Select all that apply)

self-injury
temper tantrums
physical aggression
verbal aggression

Answer 3

all of the above

Question 4

There is significant evidence that medications can be used to strengthen desired repertoires.

True
False

Answer 4

False

Question 5

Dr. Poling mentions evidence practice having which components?

(Select all that apply)

monitoring that you are helping an individual person being treated with an intervention
implementing an intervention that has been shown to be valuable in good scientific studies
trying each new intervention that might work

Answer 5

monitoring that you are helping an individual person being treated with an intervention

implementing an intervention that has been shown to be valuable in good scientific studies

Question 6

What concerns does Dr. Poling have about the use of psychotropic medications?

(Select all that apply)

too expensive
it doesn’t really solve a fundamental problem
the potential for side effects
the quality of the available evidence
takes too long to work

Answer 6

it doesn’t really solve a fundamental problem

the potential for side effects

the quality of the available evidence

Question 7

Dr. Poling talks about how the ideal would be for treatment teams to be able to translate research to each other. Why is this currently a problem?

(Select all that apply)

Behavior analysts typically do not respect medical research.
Physicians do not have an adequate background in designing and conducting research.
All studies are translational.
Medical people typically do not respect single-case (i.e., single-subject) research

Answer 7

Behavior analysts typically do not respect medical research.

Medical people typically do not respect single-case (i.e., single-subject) research

Question 8

A major concern with the use of fad treatments is the:

reinforcer value
opportunity cost
social support
negative reinforcement

Answer 8

opportunity cost

Question 9

When a person’s sensitivity to everyday learning opportunities or to specific treatments in compromised, this is referred to as cognitive blunting.

True
False

Answer 9

True

Question 10

Dr. Poling talks about the work of John Northup who looked into the effects of stimulant drugs on young people diagnosed with ADHD. What effects did Dr. Northup find?

(Select all that apply)

Stimulant drugs decrease the reinforcing effects of edibles.
Stimulant drugs increase the reinforcing effectiveness of social interactions
Stimulant drugs decrease the reinforcing effectiveness of screen time.

Answer 10

Stimulant drugs decrease the reinforcing effects of edibles.
Stimulant drugs increase the reinforcing effectiveness of social interactions

Question 11

Most individuals with autism benefit from life-long exposure to psychotropic drugs.

True
False

Answer 11

False

Question 12

Good clinical intervention, regardless of modality, matches people to interventions.

True
False

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What role can behavior analysts play in in terms of helping to monitor the individualized response to psychotropic drugs?

(Select all that apply)

Consider what measures we can take to measure if the medication is helping (i.e., measure target responses).
Look at the effects on acquisition of more appropriate replacement behaviors.
Consider what research you can publish about the individual’s response.
Consider how the patient will change behaviorally (i.e., define target responses).
Provide data about the individual’s response to the physician in a way that is user-friendly.

Answer 13

Consider what measures we can take to measure if the medication is helping (i.e., measure target responses).

Look at the effects on acquisition of more appropriate replacement behaviors.

Consider how the patient will change behaviorally (i.e., define target responses).

Provide data about the individual’s response to the physician in a way that is user-friendly.

Question 14

Behavior Analysts may need to recommend the stopping of a medication so that they can conduct a reversal in order to rule out any confounding variables.

True
False

Answer 14

False

Question 15

Any attempt at evaluating the effects of medications is better than no attempt because often medication decisions are made based on anecdote.

True
False

Answer 15

True

Question 16

What are some areas where behavior analysts might be able to measure the impact of psychotropic medications?

(Select all that apply)

performance on repetitive daily tasks
sleep patterns
attention
sociability
behaviors especially important for the person in question

Answer 16

all of the above

Question 17

When Dr. Poling talks to a parent about medication, what are some of the questions that he asks?

(Select all that apply)

How will you know if the improvement that you are looking for is actually happening?
For some parents–Would you like to read this article about this medication?
How will you know that the drug isn’t producing some harm?
What do you want the drug to do?

Answer 17

all of the above