DIAGNOSTIC-BASED PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF BEHAVIOR DISORDERS IN PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES - A REVIEW AND A DECISION-MAKING TYPOLOGY

This article reviews the diagnostic rationale for treatment of behavio r disorders with psychotropic medication. After reviewing the concerns over the use of psychotropic medication Md the use of diagnostic crit eria with persons with developmental disabilities in the past, the var iety of potential diagnoses that may underlie a behavior disorder are reviewed. A model to guide clinical decision making is then developed on the basis of this review, and areas for future research are suggest ed The key questions are identified os making reliable differential di agnoses of behavior disorders and demonstrating that these differentia l diagnoses successfully identify more effective psychotropic medicati ons for the treatment of behavior disorders in persons with developmen tal disabilities.