Have you heard of pharmacogenomics? I believe there are tests for quite a few of these psych meds available now. The basic concept is that they test your genes to see which particular anti anxiety/ depression .. etc meds will work well for you and which will possibly give bad side effects. I believe it specifically tests whether your body can produce enzymes that’ll activate or inactivate/ metabolize the particular medicine. If and when my daughter ever needs a medication, I do hope I remember to ask our doctor.
Here’s a link to the Mayo Clinic website explaining it

http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/center-for-individ...

I took Abilify myself as an adult (for mood stabilization -- I don't have ASD) and it was awful. I blacked out on it several times yet my psychiatrist kept telling me that wasn't a listed side effect so it wasn't the medicine causing it. She ended up taking me off of it for a few months and the blackouts went away. She insisted I try it again and as soon as I was on it, the black outs started back up again.

I also knew a few other people that had taken it as adults for bipolar disorder. I knew one that ended up with Tardive dyskinesia and it couldn't be reversed because she was on it too long. If your daughter is having side effects, I'd get her off of it as soon as possible!

My son was on Ability for a month. It really helped with his behavior but he was shaking nonstop. We took him off of it because of the constant shaking.

@A MyAutismTeam Member Thanks. I'm sorry to hear that it made your son more aggressive. I think that (at least for a while) it helped w/ our daughter's aggression. I don't know if it will help her with that for the long term though ..and now these side effects!! I did even more research after posting my question, and the Abilify absolutely can be causing her tongue biting. I would say her days on that are numbered. I just wish there was a good alternative!

Thanks to everyone who provided answers and shared their experiences. My daughter was seen by the Psychiatrist today for a 3 month follow up. She said it is not Tardive dyskinesia. She described what kind of tongue movements there would be with it, and my daughter hasn't had that. They examined her tongue, and couldn't even find any bite marks on it -just a few spots toward the back where her teeth were rubbing against her tongue. I will have the dentist look at it when she goes there. We are going to keep her on the same medicine for now, anyway. She has had 2 absolute meltdowns two nights in a row, including tonight. If this continues, that will change. I really think that daylight savings time has something to do with this!