According to Stigler et al (2009)
“Aripiprazole is hypothesized to function as an agonist or antagonist, depending on the receptor population and local concentrations of DA.”
In other words aripiprazole is a dopamine system stabiliser i.e. where dopamine levels are high it acts as an antagonist (reducing the levels of dopamine) and where dopamine levels are low it acts as an agonist (increasing the levels of dopamine).
Some people believe that aripiprazole can be used to change the levels of dopamine in the central nervous system of individuals on the autism spectrum. They believe that this will have beneficial effects, including a reduction in hyperactivity, aggression, and repetitive behaviours.
There have been various claims made for the use of aripiprazole as a treatment for people on the autism spectrum. For example,