This online article from Raising Children Network’s Parent Guide to ASD Therapies describes and evaluates the use of GABAergic medications as an autism intervention. GABAergic agents are intended to affect levels of the brain chemical GABA, and they are used to treat anxiety, including anxiety in people on the autism spectrum.

The article concludes that GABAergic agents have yet to be rated as an autism intervention. The article also warns that barbiturates can be addictive, while benzodiazepine can cause behavior issues, memory impairments, and motor impairments.

Raising Children Network is an information resource maintained by a partnership of agencies in Australia. Its website offers “evidence-based content you can trust on hundreds of topics about raising children and looking after yourself as a parent.” [Website]