ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To describe behavioral descompensation in adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). METHODS: We analyzed in a prospective study the stories of 11 children and adolescents with ASD, their demographic characteristics, initial symptoms of descompensation at pubertal or adolescence stages, interventions developed and evolution with them. RESULTS: We studied the clinical stories of eleven patients, 8 men and 3 women, who consulted with behavioral descompensation periods at a mean age of 13 years (range 10- 16 years). They presented with hyperactivity/agitation (6), injuries and aggression against others or themselves (6), irritability/ emotional labiality (6), inappropriate shouting (6), inflexibility/ rituals (4) and catatonia (2). Almost all patients had received psychiatric medication before descompensation, except patients with catatonia. Four of 11 presented two episodes and seven patients only one episode during a period of 2.7 years of follow-up (range 1- 6 years). Eight of 11 patients recovered with psychological and pharmacological (a medium of 2 drugs) interventions in a mean time of 4 months. Both patients with catatonia didn't recovered, and one more patient didn't improved with pharmacological treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioral descompensations are very frequent complications in patients with autism at puberty or adolescence stages. Most of them recover with very close combined interventions and familial support.
