Autism is the common term for a range of disabilities medically classified as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by qualitative differences in the development of cognitive, language, social or motor skills, and these are usually apparent before age three. Research evidence suggests that Autism Spectrum Disorder may result from an underlying difficulty with expressive movement and its regulation, severely challenging the individual to keep body movements, including sensory responses, in control. These sensorimotor problems can make it difficult to respond consistently and productively to other individuals and to the environment.
Autism Spectrum Disorder occurs in approximately fifteen out of every 10,000 births and is four times more common among males than females.
Autism Spectrum Disorder – CAUSE
No one knows exactly what causes Autism Spectrum Disorder, but scientists think that both genetic and environmental factors might play a role. While autism was once erroneously believed to arise from stresses in a child’s psychological environment, modern medical evidence suggests that irregularities in the development of the brain and central nervous system give rise to the syndrome of autism. Causes of this development are diverse and may include chemical exposure, viral and genetic factors.
Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) cover a wide range of behaviors and abilities. People who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, like all people, differ greatly in the way they act and what they can do. No two people with Autism will have the same symptoms. A symptom might be mild in one person and severe in another person. Some examples of the types of problems and behaviors a child or adult with an Autism Spectrum Disorder might have follow.
Social skills: People with Autism Spectrum Disorder might not interact with others the way most people do, or they might not be interested in other people at all. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder might not make eye contact and might just want to be alone. They might have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings. Children with Autism might not like to be held or cuddled, or might cuddle only when they want to. Some people with Autism Spectrum Disorder might not seem to notice when other people try to talk to them. Others might be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them.
Speech, language, and communication: About 40% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder do not talk at all. Others have echolalia, which is when they repeat back something that was said to them. The repeated words might be said right away or at a later time. For example, if you ask someone with an Autism, “Do you want some juice?” he or she will repeat “Do you want some juice?” instead of answering your question. Or a person might repeat a television ad heard sometime in the past. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder might not understand gestures such as waving goodbye. They might say “I” when they mean “you”, or vice versa. Their voices might sound flat and it might seem like they cannot control how loudly or softly they talk. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder might stand too close to the people they are talking to, or might stick with one topic of conversation for too long. Some people with Autism can speak well and know a lot of words, but have a hard time listening to what other people say. They might talk a lot about something they really like, rather than have a back-and-forth conversation with someone.
Repeated behaviors and routines: People with Autism Spectrum Disorder might repeat actions over and over again. They might want to have routines where things stay the same so they know what to expect. They might have trouble if family routines change. For example, if a child is used to washing his or her face before dressing for bed, he or she might become very upset if asked to change the order and dress first and then wash.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder develop differently from other children. They might have large delays in language, social, and cognitive skills, while their motor skills might be about the same as other children their age. They might be very good at things like putting puzzles together or solving computer problems, but not very good at some things most people think are easy, like talking or making friends.
Autism Spectrum Disorder – HOW DIAGNOSIS IS DONE?
The diagnosis is done clinically by assessing the presence and severity of above mentioned traits.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment
Autism treatment depends upon the level of autism (mild, moderate, severe) and may include drugs, speech therapy, occupational therapy, special schools etc.
Autism Spectrum Disorder – HOMEOPATHY TREATMENT
Homeopathic medicines are known to have deep effect on human economy and have been found effective in various psychological and developmental disorders. The focus of homeopathy is not to treat the isolated symptoms of Autism but to treat the child as a whole. Not only the symptoms of Autism but also the general physical and mental constitution of the patient, past medical history, medical history of parents, information about pregnancy and vaccination – all are used to find the probable cause in a given case and based on the final analysis a remedy is chosen for a patient. The following medicines may help in the homeopathy treatment of Autism –
- Bufo
- Borax
- Baryta Carb
- Calcarea carb
- Calcarea Phos
- Carcinocin
- Cuprumm-met
- Helium
- Hydrogen
- Lycopodium
- Medorrhinum
- Silicea
- Secretin
- Stramonium
- Thuja
Homeopathic remedies improve the behavior of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
A variety of other individual cases including some in my own practice, show great promise in using homeopathy to help children with autism. Homeopathy is a very individualized form of treatment and I strongly recommend seeking the help of a professional homeopath who will do a detailed intake to select the remedy in the correct potency to give your child the best outcome with homeopathy.
However one of the most common questions I get is “What homeopathic remedy can I use to help my child?” So, the following are a few of the remedies that will be considered when evaluating your child with autism.
Agaricus – Sings, talks, but does not answer. Indifference, fearlessness, singing, shouting, and muttering; rhymes and prophesies. Jerking that ceases once asleep. Head is in constant motion. Reading is difficult and experiences double vision. Mentally and physically awkward.
Androctonus – Destructiveness, mischievousness, suspiciousness and quickness to act. The patient’s nature oscillates between feeling like an angel and a devil alternately.
Carcinosin – Obstinate, obsessive and compulsive tendencies, but very talented. Insomnia and sleep issues; hyperactivity; desires milk which aggravates symptoms; addictive tendencies.
Cuprum Metallicum – great tension, irritability and maliciousness. Difficult to handle with aversion to touch or to be approached. Aggressive with parents driving them to despair. Obsessive, inflexible and tense. Child often has tics and bangs their head.
Helleborus – Slow in answering. Thoughtless; staring; involuntary sighing. picks lips and clothes. Sensorial depression. Sees, hears, tastes imperfectly and general muscular weakness.
Saccharum Officianale – restores emotional contact with parents, siblings and classmates. Can help children to understand what others feel and help them to express once again their own feelings.
Thuja – Ill effects from vaccinations. Fixed ideas. Seems as if soul and body have been separated.
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