Buspirone for Anxiety in Autistic Youth

Exclusion Criteria

• •1. Known diagnosis of a genetic syndrome associated with ASD (e.g. Fragile X syndrome, Angelman syndrome) based on parent report
• •2. Known cardiac arrythmia based on parent report
• •3. Current primary diagnosis of bipolar disorder, psychosis, substance use disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorder, or major depressive disorder in the opinion of the PI
• •4. Any past or present conditions that would make treatment with buspirone unsafe
• •5. Current use of any of the following psychotropic medications: SSRIs, SNRIs, mirtazapine, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotics
• •6. Previous adequate trial of buspirone (≥20 mg/day for at least 4 weeks) or significant adverse effects
• •7. Aberrant Behavior Checklist Irritability subscale score (ABC-I) ≥18
• •8. Pregnancy or sexual activity without the use of an acceptable form of birth control in females of childbearing age
• •9. Acutely unstable medical/psychiatric condition (e.g. self-injury, suicidality) that would preclude study participation in the opinion of the PI
• •10. Inability to tolerate Bittium Faros device in the opinion of the parent or a known allergy to adhesives