In the current generation we all
are getting familiar with a disorder know as Autism (Autism spectrum disorder
-ASD).Autism is increasing at an alarming rate according to a latest study
autism now affects 1 in 100 children and these statistics can frighten parents
when they see certain behavior pattern may or may not be normal.
Warning signs of Autism
Some of the commonest signs of
autism are No eye contact, No language development, Obsessive compulsive
behaviour, temper tantrums, sensory issues, no fear, self injurious behavior
can be observed in kids suffering from severe autism. Usually all these may not
be present in all the children. Some of the fine and subtle expression should
not be missed out as early detection of autism can be very helpful in starting
the treatment program.
Signs to watch in your kid
Lack of eye contact – this is one of the basic response babies give
which is spontaneous on the part of the baby. Babies should be quick and eager
to engage a parent or even a stranger with a focused and prolonged eye contact.
There is no need in a normal baby to work on getting eye contact, so when you
find your child doesn’t give eye contact this has to be taken into consideration.
Lack of babbling by seven months should make consonant sounds and
by 12 months should be speaking in phrases. If a 12 month old is still not
making any relevant words or phrases then the speech is delayed. In certain
children suddenly stop speaking or communicating after they have started to
speak this is also one of the signs to watch out. Not all late talkers will
develop autism. But if a child doesn’t talk anything by 18 months then full
developmental evaluation is a must.
Repetitive actions like making noise with the keys, holding a
pencil in hand and shaking it for no obvious reason, playing inappropriately
with toys, or looking at objects which are meant to be played with without
curiosity and get obsessed with certain things like pencil batteries, caps etc
can be a cause of concern.
Sensory issues: like putting the hands to the ears when there is a
certain type of noise or in a crowd, inappropriate hugging and touching,
handling the private parts, presence of certain people which cause great annoyance
for no obvious reason. Eat the same food with the same texture and taste.
It is important to observe the following signs in preschool age as some
children will not display enough obvious symptoms and diagnosis of autism may
go undiagnosed and precious time will be lost
Unusual brilliance: In certain children it is observed that the
child may talk incessantly about one or more primary subjects read the book and
music which may far exceed the skills when compared to his peers. But the same
child will have difficulty in conversing about simple subjects and may not be
interested. Such behavior also has to be evaluated.
Repetition while conversing: when a child is asked a question and
if he repeats the same thing again in the exact way can be a cause of concern
if this behavior is observed on most of the occasions.
Lack of social interaction: this is an issue of comprehension when
the child cannot comprehend what is happening in his social surrounding. If he
is unable to make out when to laugh or understand sarcastic comments or answer
appropriately to questions. This has to be taken into consideration for
evaluation of the child for autism.
Obsessive compulsive behavior: Some children will constantly play
with the cap of bottle, some will arrange the car toys in one line and if
someone disturbs the sequence, it will cause a major temper tantrum, change of
the food plate on which food is served or if food is cooked in a different way
they will refuse to accept the change.
Role of Homeopathy in Autism by Dr. Santosh Joshi (Early intervention
for Autism)
Autism is considered a spectrum
disorder because symptoms and severity vary from individual to individual.
Autistic children express differently from each other.
Autism is characterized by
failure of the child to develop communicative language or form proper social
communication. But they show motor and other skills far beyond that of a
mentally retarded child.
Some of them are obsessively pre
occupied with inanimate objects such as lights, running water or spinning
objects. Some of them gradually develop extreme talents such as in mathematics
and these are retained mostly throughout the life.
Studies of people with autism
have found abnormalities in several regions of the brain which suggest that
autism results from a disruption of early fetal brain development
Coming to the point, What
Homeopathy has to offer for these Autistic children? And help them lead a
better life. The best part of Homeopathy is that we have medicines that cover
these peculiar symptoms that these Autistic children exhibit. Based on these
symptom totality the right Homeopathic remedy that suits the individual child
is prescribed. To understand this we have illustrated a case of Autistic child
successfully treated in our online and virtual clinic.
Case presentation:
Based on ‘Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ – Fourth Edition by the American
Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC, we can classify each of the cases in
the following way:A total Of 6 or more items of the following with at least 2
from [1], and one each from [2] and [3] are satisfied by the patient:
- Qualitative impairment in social interaction:
- Marked impairment in facial expression
- Failure to develop peer relationships
- A lack of spontaneity in sharing interests
- Lack of social or emotional reciprocity
- Qualitative impairment in communication:
Marked inability to initiate or sustain
conversation with others.
- Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped pattern of
behavior
Encompassing preoccupation with one
stereotyped and restricted pattern.
We treat the cases on the
individual basis, keeping in mind the various expressions that are manifested
by the child.
Case of Autism Spectrum Disorder
treated with Homeopathy
A male child age 2 ½ yrs was
brought to our consultation room for treatment of Autism. On the C.A.R.S score
he obtained 33 point which indicates mild to moderate Autistic features. The
child had three episodes of seizures at the age of 5 months. The parents reported
that he is overactive and most of the time he doesn’t sit still. He usually
plays with himself and does not play much with pears.
The parents also reported that if
he interacts with children he would usually hit them, pull their hair etc. Also
he does not respond when he is taught some thing, when asked to follow
instructions. He some times expresses his joy when he sees some relatives,
guests or known people but does not interact much with them. When he is angry
he bangs his head in anger, shouts and throws temper tantrums. He is very
obstinate by nature and if the demands are not met he throws temper tantrums.
The child was very hyperactive
when he came to our consultation room. He did not sit in one place but moved
around the room. The child has eye contact for a short span. He does not
respond to any verbal command. Occasionally he communicated by non verbal means
like touch.
The child also makes continuous
babbling and specific noise. The child loves to listen to fast song and
rhythmic music and he will dance to the tune. Besides this the child makes
specific movements of the hands like waving of the hands and he will bang
things, look at them and starts laughing.
We asked the mother if she had
any emotional trauma or stress during the pregnancy. She replied that she had a
good pregnancy and she had no major tensions during her pregnancy.
Mile stones of the child:
Birth weight: 3 kgs
Age of walking: 1 yr 6 months
Age of eruption of first tooth: 6
months
Speech development: he developed
2-3 mono-syllabus but now that has also disappeared.
Personal history:
- The child feels very hot and he
wants the fan and air-conditioner most f the time.
- The child loves to eat spicy
food, salt, lemon, banana and cold drinks
- He has strong aversion to sweets.
- He has severe constipation and
passes motion once in 2 days. He has to strain a lot.
- He has fear of fire.
- He used to walk on toes earlier.
On careful analysis and
evaluation of the case history, the patient was prescribed Tarentula Hispanica.
He was given 3 doses and was asked to report after 14 days. After 14 days the
mother reported that the flapping motion of the hands has increased. He is lost
in his own world but a positive sign was that the child had started to play
with children; he sleeps for a longer period. His constipation has reduced. Now
he responds after being called for 2-3 times, earlier which was absent. Patient
was given Sacrum Lactis for 14 days.
The patient reported
restlessness, head banging, disturbed sleep, and chest congestion, better when
he sleeps in knee chest position. Thirst for large quantities of water, feels
very hot and desires to uncover. The patient was prescribed Medorrhinum, 3
doses and was asked to report after 14 days. The child showed marked
improvement in all his complaints. His attention span has increased, his
restlessness has decreased. Chest congestion is better. He plays with children
and the most important part was he stared to speak single words. The patient
was under our treatment for 1 ½ yrs and he showed continuous improvement in his
Autistic symptoms and now he has stared to go to school for special needs where
he under goes therapies.
Homeopathy plays an important
role in the treatment of Autism as the Homeopathic remedies acts at the level
of Psycho-neuro-endocranial axis. Homeopathic remedies helps in bringing back
the imbalance to a balanced state. The right Homeopathic remedy has the
potential to treat complex disorders with good success, if it is practiced in
the right way. To see the desired result in the Autistic children along with
Homeopathy Occupational therapy, speech therapy etc is must. Counseling of the
parents, relatives and care givers is necessary to make them understand the
complexity of the disorder and to handle and help the child in the right way.
The right Homeopathic medicines and other therapies can bring out the best
qualities in these special children who are gifted with special talent.
Autism Case 2 treated with Homeopathy:
Recently we had a case where the
child was a Autistic kid and was very destructive used to get immense pleasure
after breaking things. This was wonderfully covered by a remedy known as
Tarentula.H which was given after careful analysis and evaluation. After this
the child is showing marked improvement.
If we know the correct details
about the child’s behavior the characteristic expressions the physical
complaints we can select the right remedy from the Homeopathic materia medica.
This similar remedy should be able to bring about the necessary change
required.
We have been treating few cases
of Autism spectrum disorder which have been steadily improving .Along with the
medication the children also go to special school that helps them to be
independent and teach then the things that will help them in the future.
Key measures to be followed:
- A correct History of the Child including the
Behavior.
- Noting down the expressions of the patient.
- Physical complaints conditions of aggravation &
Amelioration.
- Education in special school to make them self
efficient.
- Approach to the patient based on individuality.
- Selection of the remedy after analysis and
evaluation.
- To consider the response and the likely line of
treatment.
- Maintaining a Note book and noting the changes that
occur to evaluate the case.
Conclusion
- We can definitely help the autistic children.
- Clear detailed history is required.
- Differentiate closely related medicines.
- Give the medicines till the patient is better.
- Get the patient evaluated by a Psychiatrist and
Psychologists.
Note : The remedies prescribed in
the cases should not be taken in any case without the advice of a registered
Homeopathic doctor.
