05:49 PM PST on Saturday, March 6, 2004

By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News

Autism makes social interaction and everyday communication tough. It also causes aggression in many people. But there are some promising new therapies.

KING Michael, with his father, Andrew Himmelfarb

At least one in every 500 children is born with autism, and their numbers are increasing.

"It consists of social difficulties, speech and language problems, a narrow restricted interest, and repetitive behaviors,” said psychiatrist Eric Hollander. “Sometimes these individuals also have problems with impulsive or aggressive behavior."

Michael's aggression was a constant source of worry for his parents.

"He would bite, he would scratch, he would run away," said his father, Andrew Himmelfarb.

They found help in the drug Risperidone. It made him calmer, with less biting, outbursts and destructive behavior.

"There's no cure for autism, but by utilizing medications to target specific symptoms, we can improve behavior," said Hollander.

High blood pressure medications also show promise in easing aggression, although the reasons are not clear. Some children seem to be helped with anti-seizure medications. Although medication is the most common therapy, the FDA has not yet approved any drugs specifically to treat autism.