Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a continuum of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with significant communication, social, and behavioral deficits including impairments in verbal and nonverbal communication and excessive attachments to routine. These deficits can impede parent-child bonding, increase parental stress, and lead to dysfunctional parent-child interactions. While there has been progress into understanding the neurobiology and neuropsychology of schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, treatment options remain inadequate. Psychosocial interventions such as family therapy aimed at promoting affection, praise, and communication reduce oppositional behavior, but are time consuming and costly. A safe and cost-effective pharmacological intervention given to non-affected family members could augment current psychosocial therapies, improve the functioning of the family, and favorably influence the course of the illness in the affected child.