RT Book, Section A1 Erickson, Steven R. A2 DiPiro, Joseph T. A2 Yee, Gary C. A2 Posey, L. Michael A2 Haines, Stuart T. A2 Nolin, Thomas D. A2 Ellingrod, Vicki SR Print(0) ID 1182460108 T1 Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder T2 Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 11e YR 2020 FD 2020 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781260116816 LK accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1182460108 RD 2024/03/28 AB KEY CONCEPTSPeople with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have higher incidence of mental illness and challenging behaviors, with dual diagnosis being common.Persons diagnosed with Down syndrome (DS) can be at increased risk for medical and psychiatric comorbidities.People with IDD experience high rates of polypharmacy and polypsychotropic medication use. Assessment should include physical disorders as well as social and environmental factors.People who have DS have higher rates of Alzheimer’s-type dementia. A thorough evaluation is needed to differentiate between depression and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Treatment plans for persons with autism focus on increasing social interactions, improving verbal and nonverbal communication, and minimizing the occurrence or impact of ritualistic, repetitive behaviors and other related mood and behavioral problems (eg, overactivity, irritability, and self-injury).Many purported pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) lack objective evidence-based support.A structured teaching approach focusing on increasing social communication and integration with peers is needed when providing services to persons with ASD.Nonpharmacologic interventions for sleep disturbances in children with a diagnosis of ASD should be implemented prior to pharmacotherapy considerations.Psychopharmacologic treatment planning should include monitoring of objective, measurable medication-responsive target behaviors, and assessment of potential adverse effects, which are of critical importance when treating the behavioral symptoms of ASD. Furthermore, the response of individuals to medication therapy is highly variable.The use of FDA-approved medication for off-label indications is an acceptable clinical practice if founded on evidence-based research and informed consent.