The study is designed to assess the efficacy of treatment with divalproex sodium (DS) vs. placebo in childhood/adolescent autism fulfilling DSM-IV and Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) criteria. Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments for this disorder, although behavioral and educational therapies and a variety of medications may play a role in the management of some autistic symptoms.

This study compares divalproex sodium and placebo in the treatment of autistic disorder. Twenty six child or adolescent outpatients, with age ranges from 5-17, will be randomized into a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel treatment study. During the 12 weeks, patients will be monitored by the treating psychiatrist and assessed by an independent evaluator (IE). The IE will perform study assessments while remaining blind to medication regimens (including possible tapering) as well as any side effects. Study assessments will be administered at designated time points

Meets DSM-IV, ADI, and ADOS criteria for autistic disorder

Age 5-17.

Outpatients

Parent/legal guardian signing informed consent, and assent documented for patient with demonstrated capacity to provide it.

Sexually active females of childbearing potential must use an acceptable method of birth control (oral contraceptive medications [the administration of which must be supervised by a parent or guardian], IUD, depot medication or tubal ligation) and have a negative serum pregnancy test prior to entry into the study.

Subject scores at least "4" (moderately ill) on the Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale for Autistic Disorder (CGI-AD).

Subject meets the following criteria at pre-study diagnostic assessment and baseline assessment: OAS-M 13 or ABC-Irritability Subscale 18 (raw scores).

Subjects with history of seizures, who have been seizure-free for 6 months on a stable dose of anticonvulsant medication other than divalproex sodium or related formulations (e.g., depakene). Non-medicated subjects with a history of seizures who have been seizure-free for 6 months. Subjects with abnormal EEG but no clinical seizures.

State exclusion criteria for enrollment in study:

Subjects who are pregnant or nursing mothers. Sexually active women of childbearing potential who are not using adequate birth control measures (detailed above in inclusion criteria).

Subjects with overall adaptive behavior scores below the age of two years on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Rating Scale.

Subjects with active or unstable epilepsy.

Subjects with any of the following past or present mental disorders: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or organic mental disorders.

Subjects who are a serious suicidal risk.

Subjects with clinically significant or unstable medical illness that would contraindicate participation in the study, including hematopoietic or cardiovascular disease, pancreatitis, liver toxicity, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Subjects reporting history of encephalitis, phenylketonuria, tuberous sclerosis, fragile X syndrome, anoxia during birth, pica, neurofibromatosis, hypomelanosis of Ito, hypothyroidism, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and maternal rubella.

Patients with history of the following:

gastrointestinal, liver, or kidney, or other known conditions which will presently interfere presently with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of drugs; cerebrovascular disease or brain trauma; clinically significant unstable endocrine disorder, such as hypo- or hyperthyroidism; recent history or presence of any form of malignancy

Treatment within the previous 30 days with any drug known to a well-defined potential for toxicity to a major organ

Subjects with clinically significant abnormalities in laboratory tests or physical exam.

Subjects likely to require ECT or any other psychotropic medication during the study, unless otherwise permitted.

Subjects unable to tolerate taper from psychoactive medication if necessary.

Subjects with a history of hypersensitivity or severe side effects associated with the use of divalproex sodium, or other an ineffective prior therapeutic trial of divalproex sodium (serum levels within range of 50-100 ug/ml for 6 weeks).

Subjects who have received any of the following interventions within the prescribed period before starting treatment:

investigational drugs within the previous 30 days; depot neuroleptic medication; psychotropic drugs not permitted for concurrent use in the study within the previous seven days; fluoxetine within the previous five weeks.

Subjects who have begun any new alternative non-medication treatments, such as diet, vitamins, and psychosocial therapy, within the previous three months.

Subjects with any organic or systemic disease or patients who require a therapeutic intervention, not otherwise specified, which would confound the evaluation of the safety of the study medication.

Subjects who reside in a remote geographical area who do not have regular access to transportation to the clinical facility.

6 weeks on treatment