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July 01, 2022

Resources to help care for children and adolescents prescribed antipsychotic medication

Children and adolescents prescribed antipsychotic medication may need additional services to help support them as they work to manage their condition.1 To assist you as you care for these patients, we’ve listed some best practices for referrals and follow-up care. 

Referrals and follow-up care
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) recommends psychosocial care for children and adolescents prescribed antipsychotic medication to treat these conditions.2

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Conduct-related symptoms
  • Schizophrenia
  • Tourette's syndrome

The AACAP recommends psychosocial care at least 90 days before prescribing the patient antipsychotic medication or within 30 days of starting an initial prescription if there is an urgent need for medication. Below are some examples of psychosocial care:2

  • Activity therapy
  • Behavioral health services
  • Crisis intervention services
  • Peer services
  • Training and educational services

How to refer to a behavioral health professional 
You can call the number on the patient's health plan ID card if you need to refer them to a behavioral health professional or request coordination of care. You’ll also find local behavioral health professionals at liveandworkwell.com search for providers.

Behavioral health toolkit for medical providers
Go to providerexpress.com and log in with your One Healthcare ID. Then select Clinical Resources > Behavioral Health Toolkit for Medical Providers.

Patient education information
Visit liveandworkwell.com and scroll down to find the links to topics.

Questions? 
Call the number on the patient's health plan ID card.

1Finnerty, M., Neese-Todd, S., Pritam, R., Leckman-Westin, E., et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2016;55(1):69–76. Retrieved from jaacap.org.
2American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Practice parameter on the use of atypical antipsychotic medications in children and adolescents. Retrieved from aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/practice_parameters/Atypical_Antipsychotic_Medications_Web.pdf.
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