Examination of Psychotropic Medication Use Following Outpatient Behavioral Assessment and Treatment
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Psychotropic medications are often prescribed to treat challenging behavior in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This study examined patterns of psychotropic medication use following outpatient behavioral assessment and treatment in children ages 2...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Maria G. Valdovinos Melissa Trites Janelle Ausenhus |
| author_facet | Maria G. Valdovinos Melissa Trites Janelle Ausenhus |
| author_sort | Maria G. Valdovinos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Psychotropic medications are often prescribed to treat challenging behavior in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This study examined patterns of psychotropic medication use following outpatient behavioral assessment and treatment in children ages 2–16 years. <b>Methods:</b> Medication use at the time of behavioral assessments, six months after the assessment, and a later follow-up time point (mean 25 months following the six-month time point, range 1 month to 41 months) were evaluated via a chart review. Alterations in psychotropic medication use were grouped into eight categories according to the type of medication change experienced. Care providers also completed a social validity survey rating their satisfaction with the assessment and interventions developed for their child. <b>Results:</b> This retrospective study revealed that children in this sample were more likely to experience starting a new medication and increases in the dose of psychotropic medication as time passed. Children were also less likely to remain on the same regimen of psychotropic medication as when they were first seen in the clinic. Additionally, although caregivers generally rated their experiences and outcomes with the behavioral clinic as favorable, additions and increases to psychotropic medication regimens still occurred. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings are consistent with other reports of continued and increased prescribing of psychotropic medication across time in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, however, the results must be interpreted with caution given the small sample size which limits generalizability of these findings. Additionally, the lack of follow-up with the patients in this sample made it difficult to correlate changes in challenging behavior with psychotropic medication prescribing. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-56d5431b87024521809ea009affb2a3a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-56d5431b87024521809ea009affb2a3a2025-08-20T02:33:38ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-05-0115551310.3390/brainsci15050513Examination of Psychotropic Medication Use Following Outpatient Behavioral Assessment and TreatmentMaria G. Valdovinos0Melissa Trites1Janelle Ausenhus2Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Arts and Scienced, Drake University, Des Moines, IA 50311, USAHeartland Area Education Agency, Johnston, IA 50131, USAOrganizational Management and Communication Program, College of Applied Studies, Florida State University, Panama City, FL 32306, USA<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Psychotropic medications are often prescribed to treat challenging behavior in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This study examined patterns of psychotropic medication use following outpatient behavioral assessment and treatment in children ages 2–16 years. <b>Methods:</b> Medication use at the time of behavioral assessments, six months after the assessment, and a later follow-up time point (mean 25 months following the six-month time point, range 1 month to 41 months) were evaluated via a chart review. Alterations in psychotropic medication use were grouped into eight categories according to the type of medication change experienced. Care providers also completed a social validity survey rating their satisfaction with the assessment and interventions developed for their child. <b>Results:</b> This retrospective study revealed that children in this sample were more likely to experience starting a new medication and increases in the dose of psychotropic medication as time passed. Children were also less likely to remain on the same regimen of psychotropic medication as when they were first seen in the clinic. Additionally, although caregivers generally rated their experiences and outcomes with the behavioral clinic as favorable, additions and increases to psychotropic medication regimens still occurred. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings are consistent with other reports of continued and increased prescribing of psychotropic medication across time in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, however, the results must be interpreted with caution given the small sample size which limits generalizability of these findings. Additionally, the lack of follow-up with the patients in this sample made it difficult to correlate changes in challenging behavior with psychotropic medication prescribing.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/5/513psychotropic medicationchallenging behaviorfunctional assessment |
| spellingShingle | Maria G. Valdovinos Melissa Trites Janelle Ausenhus Examination of Psychotropic Medication Use Following Outpatient Behavioral Assessment and Treatment Brain Sciences psychotropic medication challenging behavior functional assessment |
| title | Examination of Psychotropic Medication Use Following Outpatient Behavioral Assessment and Treatment |
| title_full | Examination of Psychotropic Medication Use Following Outpatient Behavioral Assessment and Treatment |
| title_fullStr | Examination of Psychotropic Medication Use Following Outpatient Behavioral Assessment and Treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Examination of Psychotropic Medication Use Following Outpatient Behavioral Assessment and Treatment |
| title_short | Examination of Psychotropic Medication Use Following Outpatient Behavioral Assessment and Treatment |
| title_sort | examination of psychotropic medication use following outpatient behavioral assessment and treatment |
| topic | psychotropic medication challenging behavior functional assessment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/5/513 |
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