Liquid Risperidone in the Treatment of Acute Agitation in Psychiatrically Hospitalized Children

The goal of this study is to demonstrate safety and efficacy of liquid risperidone in psychiatrically hospitalized children, ages 4-12, who would be put in seclusion or restraint, or given an intramuscular injection of diphenhydramine because of their out-of-control behavior if not medicated with risperidone. The first part of the study will: 1) develop appropriate oral doses of medication to reduce out of control or agitated behavior effectively with the fewest side effects, and 2) develop a rating system to measure the children's behavior i.e. level of improvement, sedation, and untoward effects.