Akanksha Sharma

Publications (2)1.66 Total impact

• Article: Efficacy of risperidone in managing maladaptive behaviors for children with autistic spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis.

  Akanksha Sharma, Steven R Shaw
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  ABSTRACT: Atypical antipsychotic agents are widely used psychopharmacological interventions for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Among the atypical antipsychotic agents, risperidone has demonstrated considerable benefits in reducing several behavioral symptoms associated with ASDs. This meta-analysis examined research regarding the effectiveness of risperidone use among children with ASD using articles published since the year 2000. The database for the analyses comprised 22 studies including 16 open-label and six placebo-controlled studies. Based on the quality, sample size, and study design of studies prior to 2000, the database was then restricted to articles published after the year 2000. Effect sizes were calculated for each reported measure within a study to calculate an average effect size per study. The mean effect size for the database was 1.047 and the sample weighted mean effect size was 1.108, with a variance of 0.18. Outcome measures demonstrated mean improvement in problematic behaviors equaling one standard deviation, and thus current evidence supports the effectiveness of risperidone in managing behavioral problems and symptoms for children with ASD. Although Risperdal has several adverse effects, most are manageable or extremely rare. An exception is rapid weight gain, which is common and can create significant health problems. Overall, for most children with autism and irritable and aggressive behavior, risperidone is an effective psychopharmacological treatment.
  Journal of Pediatric Health Care 07/2012; 26(4):291-9. · 1.66 Impact Factor
• Article: Behavioral Profiles in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome: Focus on Mental Health

  Steven R. Shaw, Amira Rahman, Akanksha Sharma
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  ABSTRACT: Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a multiple congenital anomalies and intellectual disabilities syndrome associated with a deletion of chromosome 22 terminal band 13.3. The deletion is associated with severe intellectual disabilities, absent or delayed speech, behavior problems, and autism. The objective of this study was to provide a detailed assessment and analysis of problematic behaviors in this population. Semistructured parent interviews, checklists, and record reviews were conducted for 35 families with children with PMS. Parents participated in completing the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II, Reiss Scales for Children's Dual Diagnosis (Reiss), and the Parent Form of the Children's Interview for Psychiatric Symptoms (P-ChIPS). Children with PMS showed adaptive behaviors more than 3 standard deviations below the mean. Maladaptive behaviors were present in nearly all children. Moreover, the P-ChIPS and interview results showed evidence of unstable mood, depressive symptoms, and overactivity. The Reiss showed high scores for psychosis, autism, depression, and attention deficit. Children with PMS have high levels of maladaptive behaviors as well as evidence of mood, attention, autistic, and psychotic issues reported by parents. Although PMS previously has been associated with autism, there are confounds between autism and mental issues in this rare population. Implications for understanding the nature of autism and mental health disorders in children are discussed.
  Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities 01/2011; 4(1):1-18.