Repetitive thoughts and behavior in pervasive developmental disorders: treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Rose et al. (2000) looked at every early trial that tested serotonin-reuptake inhibitors in children with autism. They pulled small studies on clomipramine and fluvoxamine into one story. The goal was to see if these pills calm hand-flapping, rocking, and sudden aggression.

The review says the drugs “show promise.” Repetitive acts and angry outbursts dropped in a few tiny trials. The authors warn the proof is thin and more work is needed.

Scahill et al. (2016) later showed the CY-BOCS-ASD scale can spot these same behavior changes in drug trials. Their tool gives us a clearer way to measure what J et al. first noticed.

Dudley et al. (2019) took a different path. They cut repetitive behavior with visuomotor games, not pills. Their RCT proves you can get the same target without side-effects.

Matson et al. (2013) mixed risperidone with parent training. Medication plus coaching beat medication alone, hinting that pills work best when paired with ABA-style help.

You now have two roads to the same goal. You can track repetitive behavior with a solid scale and choose either a behavioral plan or a medical one. If you go the medication route, add parent training to boost gains and keep everyone on the same page.