Autism Legal News Articles & Interviews

Washington, DC: A new study suggests a link between SSRI medications and autism, the latest in a long line of studies with conflicting results on the topic. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants, but some studies suggest they are linked to childhood autism when expectant mothers take them. Other studies have not found a link, and researchers involved in the latest study recommended caution when reviewing their results.

San Francisco, CA: According to results just published in the online edition of Pediatrics, prenatal use of the class of antidepressant medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can cause autism.

Atlanta, GA The Ohio Department of Health has been named in an autism lawsuit filed by the parents of a toddler stricken with the disorder. At issue is an alleged denial by the state of Ohio of federally mandated treatment options that the plaintiffs hold should be made available for their infant son. The lawsuit is but one example of the issues surrounding autism, and its potential causes.

Seattle, WA The link between autism and medicines is still not well understood, although research suggests links between maternal use of certain medications and autism. For example, a link between the use of SSRIs and autism has been suggested in preliminary research, although more research must be done to further establish the link.

San Francisco, CA While debate rages on about the causes of autism and people argue whether there is a link between vaccines and autism or SSRIs and autism, parents are left wondering whether there was anything they did to cause their child's autism. Mothers, specifically, are concerned that medications they took while pregnant may have played a role in their children's condition. A lack of understanding about the causes of autism makes the situation that much more complex.

Santa Fe, NM When it comes to causes of autism, not much is fully understood. Debate still rages about the link between immunizations and autism, even though the research that established such a link has been largely discredited. But there are other drugs that have been linked to the development of autism. One study has suggested a link between use of an SSRI and autism, while other studies suggest epilepsy medications and other pharmaceuticals may play a role in the development of autism.

Ann Arbor, MI When it comes to finding a link between drugs and birth defects, such as the link between SSRIs and autism, the situation may be more complicated than thought. Although some studies suggest a link between the use of an SSRI and autism, some SSRI medications are used as autism drugs, to treat the side effects associated with autism. In other words, the same drugs that some studies suggest cause autism when used during pregnancy are also used to treat that autism.

Salt Lake City, UT One of the most controversial areas of medicine could be that of autism and determining whether there is a link between vaccines and autism, SSRIs and autism or other drugs and the development of autism. New research indicates that there could be a wide range of causes linked to the development of autism, although some research suggests that there is a link between the use of SSRIs while pregnant and having a child diagnosed with autism.

Miami, FL (Press Release) In a precedent-setting victory for the rights of all children with autism who are insured by Medicaid, Judge Joan Lenard of the U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida held that Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), a proven and highly effective treatment of children with autism, be covered by Medicaid.

Seattle, WA When it comes to the health of children, few topics raise as much heated discussion as the link between vaccines and autism. In fact, discussion of any medication in relation to autism, such as SSRIs and autism, can create controversy and fuel a debate. Part of the problem is that there has been a great deal of conflicting literature on the subject of medications and autism. Recent studies on antidepressant use and autism suggests infants exposed to the medications prior to birth are at an increased risk of an autism diagnosis. The end result is that many parents are left wondering what to do when it comes to medications.