Child psychiatry: autism treatment: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Child psychiatry: autism treatment

Sample item

A 9-year-old autistic boy has severe irritability, aggression and self-injury despite behavioural interventions. Which drug classes have regulatory approval for this symptom cluster?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Risperidone or aripiprazole

Risperidone and aripiprazole are approved for irritability associated with autism, although they do not treat core social deficits and have metabolic effects. Behavioural therapy and educational support remain the mainstay.

Option by option

  • A. Lithium or valproate

    Mood stabilisers are not approved for this indication.

  • B. Risperidone or aripiprazole (correct)

    Correct. These two atypical antipsychotics are approved.

  • C. Methylphenidate only

    Methylphenidate is for comorbid ADHD, not irritability in general.

  • D. Benzodiazepines

    Benzodiazepines may cause paradoxical disinhibition.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Risperidone or aripiprazole. Risperidone and aripiprazole are approved for irritability associated with autism, although they do not treat core social deficits and have metabolic effects.

Why is "Lithium or valproate" not the answer?

Mood stabilisers are not approved for this indication.

Why is "Methylphenidate only" not the answer?

Methylphenidate is for comorbid ADHD, not irritability in general.

Why is "Benzodiazepines" not the answer?

Benzodiazepines may cause paradoxical disinhibition.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child psychiatry: autism treatment in Psychiatry. Behavioural therapy and educational support remain the mainstay.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Child psychiatry: autism treatment?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.