Electroconvulsive therapy in autism spectrum disorders: an update to the literature.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Over the last quarter century, the clinical evidence surrounding the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has expanded. This review provides the most up-to-date findings on the usage of ECT in ASD and discusses these results within the historical context and direct patient care experience.

RECENT FINDINGS: ECT is typically implemented for psychotropic-refractory catatonic, affective, psychotic, and combined pathology for individuals across the lifespan. Although highly stigmatized, ECT is well tolerated, efficacious, and potentially lifesaving for select individuals. A case presentation of an individual with autism as well as a summary of legal restrictions hampering his ECT access is presented.

SUMMARY: ECT is increasingly used in individuals with ASD who present with a wide range of ECT-responsive psychopathology, as well as repetitive self-injury and late, autistic-like regression for which no cause is found. ECT is well tolerated and offers real hope for many ASD individuals with devastating, treatment-refractory conditions.