Research Paper on:
Autism: Use Of Psychotropics - Proposal

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
otherwise specified (Faras, Ateeqi and Tidmarsh, 2010; Grigorenko, 2009). The disorder is referred to as spectrum because there are a large number of symptoms associated with these disorders. The American  Psychiatric Association (2000) places these disorders in the broader group of neurodevelopmental disorders under the category of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Autism spectrum disorders interfere with normal functioning in  numerous areas. These include verbal and nonverbal communication skills, cognitive functioning and social interaction (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). It was initially thought to be schizophrenia but in 1943, Leo  Kanner, an American psychiatrist used the term early infantile autism to describe children who were not interested in other people. A year later, Hans Asperger, an Australian pediatrician independently described  a group of children who had similar behaviors but who were higher intellectual functioning. His name became attached to this set of behaviors, hence, Asperger syndrome. The term pervasive developmental  disorders was first used in the 1980s (Faras, Ateeqi and Tidmarsh, 2010). The exact causes are unknown. However, there has been an increase in the numbers of infants and children  diagnosed with autism across the world (Faras, Ateeqi and Tidmarsh, 2010; Levy, Mandell and Schultz, 2009). Plan The paper will follow the history of the use of axiolytic and  psychotropic medications in psychology, in general, and with autism, in particular. This discussion will include movements in psychology that were brought about by more knowledge and more information. There will  be an emphasis on autism spectrum disorders. As the introduction demonstrated, autism is a pervasive and chronic condition and it is on the rise. One major issue is the efficacy  of using psychotropic medications with these children. Exactly which ones are being prescribed and for what purpose? Do they work? I am personally interested in this topic. Considering there are