Adderall For Autism In Adults & Kids: Reviews On The Stimulant Drug

There are many people, especially kids, who are suffering from a physical condition called autism. Autism makes people feel void of social communication and have issues in developing some cognitive skills. People with autism have symptoms similar to ADHD, and this is when Adderall becomes useful. Many people dealing with the issue are sceptical about using Adderall for autism, but doctors believe autistic people who deal with ADHD can use this drug. But is Adderall good for autism? Let us understand the reasons, mechanism and potential risks that people with autism and how children can deal with it using Adderall.

How Adderall And Autism Relate To each Other?

Is Using Adderall Common Among Autistics?

Autistic people use Adderall quite frequently, much more frequently than non-autistic people. People with autism spectrum disorders often deal with issues that resemble the symptoms of ADHD like hyperactivity and inattentiveness. Adderall and similar stimulants are common prescriptions for people with autism. Though it helps with the core issues of autism which are the same as the effects of ADHD, Adderall’s effectiveness is questionable. An autistic brain may react poorly to a strong drug like Adderall. Even a normal dose can be a bit risky for an autistic person with ADHD. Doctors advise either taking lower doses of Adderall or taking non-stimulant drugs instead. But lower doses of Adderall should be effective.

Understanding Autism and How It Affects People With ASD

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can make a person have issues in social communication, repeat certain types of behaviours or actions and look or stare at particular direction for a long time. It is also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The word “spectrum” is used here because it depicts that autism has different phases, and is perhaps a lifelong condition, as it evolves. Autism patients are usually very sensitive to certain sounds, lights and textures and sometimes they focus on things very intensely. People with autism have difficulty understanding other people’s emotions due to which they often face exclusion from society.

Can One Use Adderall For Autism?

Many autistic patients are diagnosed with ADHD, which is a connected occurrence in autism. Autistic people have a lot of hyperactivity, and sometimes they are not at all attentive. To handle such issues, doctors prescribe AuDHD with Adderall. The benefits that Adderall provides to ASD patients are similar to what it gives to people with no abnormalities. It helps autistics in increasing focus, attention, and control their actions. Adderall is not a rare medication for AuDHD patients. They can get this medication very easily with a prescription because it is regarded as one of the best medicines for ADHD. But many believe that autism patients should take Adderall with care.

Is Adderall Good for Autistic People?

Adderall is generally considered good for ADHD in ASD patients, but sometimes it can show some side effects even after the normal dosage. As a CNS stimulant, Adderall is meant to act in ways that the body can react differently sometimes, making the patients feel a bit uneasy while taking the medication. And if you are autistic, you might face even more issues. It involves a range of problems and side effects, but this does not mean there is something wrong with the drug. Our nervous system can react to strong medications like Adderall, so it is always advisable to visit a doctor and talk about it, whether you are autistic or not.

Side Effects of Adderall

The side effects in people with autism can vary a bit from those in people who are not autistic. But mostly, the repercussions will be the same, and autistic people might also face some serious risks. Let us see these side effects.

Common Side Effects in Autistic People

• Withdrawal from society
• Increased Irritability
• Lower response rate
• Uncontrolled movements
• Amplified repetitive behaviours
• Sleeping issues
• Loss of appetite 
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Restlessness
• Nervousness
• Anxiety
• Headache

Serious Risks in Autistic People

• Increased Heart Rate
• High Blood Pressure
• Aggressive Behaviour
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Opiod addiction
• Breathing Difficulty
• Allergic Reactions

Alternatives for ADHD For Autistics

Adderall and autismmay not always go hand in hand, even when it is a good solution for AuDHD. If someone is facing issues as an autistic, they must consult their doctor, and they may change the medications. Let us now see these alternatives to Adderall.

Other Stimulant Medications

• Concerta
• Vyvanse
• Ritalin
• Focalin

Non-Stimulant Medications

• Qelbree
• Wellbutrin
• Strattera
• Clonidine
• Guanfacine

Natural Medications

• Melatonin
• Caffeine
• Iron
• St. John’s Wort
• Magnesium
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Zinc
• Vitamin-D

Can Autistic Children Use Adderall?

Children with autism should use Adderall if they have ADHD, and there is a good reason why it works better in children than adults. The brain in a child is a “developing” brain, meaning they might be responsive towards the change in neurotransmitters, which allows stimulant drugs like Adderall to boost their effect, improving attention and focus in kids. But children are more vulnerable to the side effects in the case of autism than adults. This is the reason doctors might administer even lower doses of Adderall to children. But autistic kids do tolerate Adderall better than adults with ASD.

Conclusion

Autism is not a social disorder. Autistic people must be prescribed mainstream medications like Adderall to treat their ADHD and feel better. People tend to neglect this issue and find it normal for autistic people to have ADHD features. But healthcare professionals treat ADHD and ASD as separate problems, and treat AuDHD patients with proper supervision.