Dr. William Benefield Jr., Pharm D., BCPP, FASCP

University of Texas at San Antonio and Austin

Dr. William Benefield graduated with honors from Auburn University with a BS in Pharmacy and received his Doctorate in Pharmacy degree from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas Health Center at San Antonio. Dr. Benefield completed his residency in Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He has been board certified in Psychiatric Pharmacy since 1997 and is a founding member of CPNP. He is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas. He has practiced in the areas of developmental disabilities, hospice and long term care for the past 27 years. He has authored and co-authored chapters in Pharmacotherapy, the Pharmacotherapy Case Book, and Applied Therapeutics. He has presented at the national meetings of the ACCP, ASCP, American Epilepsy Society, American Academy of Neurology, and NCDEU.

AUTISM AND OTHER PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

ACPE# TBA

Objectives:

1.  Review the clinical presentation of the major psychiatric disorders when presented with co-existing mental retardation.

2.  Identify factors that may complicate recognition of a psychiatric disorder in the MR/DD population.

3.  Discuss pharmacotherapy to manage the symptoms of the major psychiatric disorders presented in the MR/DD population.

4.  Differentiate between the diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder and the other subtypes of pervasive developmental disorders.

5.  Discuss the proposed pathophysiology and etiology within the pervasive disorder spectrum.

6.  Identify target symptoms associated with pervasive developmental disorders which are responsive to pharmacotherapy.

7.  Discuss the role of antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, alpha-adrenergic agonists, opiate agonists, and beta blockers in treating symptoms within the autistic disorder spectrum.