Open trial effects of beta-blockers on speech and social behaviors in 8 autistic adults.

Doctors gave eight autistic adults a daily beta-blocker pill. They watched what happened to aggression, speech, and social behavior for several weeks. No control group, no placebo—just an open trial.

Aggressive outbursts dropped fast, within days. Weeks later, the same adults started talking more and joining short conversations. The team noted the social gains came only after the anger cooled down.

Dvir et al. (2025) later showed similar social gains with a movement game instead of pills—proof you can get there without drugs. Wang et al. (2013) pooled 115 single-case studies and found large effects for any social-skills plan, but those designs were tighter than this 1987 case series. Aller et al. (2023) tracked autistic youth and saw physical aggression fade with age anyway—so the pill might have just sped up a natural drop.

If an adult you serve has dangerous rages, a low-dose beta-blocker could give rapid relief while you set up long-term skill training. Pair the med with Tamar’s movement groups or Lindee’s interview class to lock in the social gains once the anger is gone. Always track data and taper under a doctor—this old study is only a roadmap, not a rule.