Role of Homeopathy in Autism

[Corey Blair]

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
Now we come to the point of what homeopathy has to offer to the child
so that we can help the child to lead a better life. One of the
important facts is that in homeopathy we have these symptoms covered
by different remedies and can use the symptoms expressed by the
behavior of the child for the selection of the medicine.
It is very important to get a proper history of the patient and the
importance of observation comes into play even the minutest detail can
help in deciding the remedy. Peculiar symptoms are required so the
parents should observe the Childs behavior in details and note them
down in a book.
Here I would like to illustrate a case of autism which we treated
A young girl of seven years was brought to us, with the following
complaints:
The child would sit in a corner, for hours and days together. She had
no interest in food, play or studies. This attitude was there from
childhood. When I first saw her in the clinic, I observed that her
face was flat & showed no expressions. This child would not mix or
play with anybody and always wanted to stay alone. She would sit
alone, as if she was in her own world and had nothing to do with the
worldly affairs.
She took no interest in her studies. She would not emote to anything,
there was no reaction from her even if she was scolded, explained or
persuaded.
Physical complaints:Constipation; could not pass stools for 6-8 days.
Stools - hard with lot of pain and discomfort. Severe diarrhea when
forced to eat. Perspiration offensive 3+, staining the clothes. Sleep
disturbed, would get up a number of times, occasional weeping &
talking during sleep.
On further detailed study, it was revealed that this child was adopted
by the couple, as they did not have any children, after 10 yrs of
marriage. The child was bought from an orphanage, and no details were
available about her parents or about her background.
Diagnosis : AutismBased 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 , and one each from and 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.
The remedy was selected on the basis of the history that the child was
an orphan and this remedy is very useful in cases where there is a
feeling of orphaned. Also the other important symptoms that are
covered by this remedy were Perspiration staining the linen, Severe
constipation and hard stools based on these symptoms the remedy was
prescribed.
PrescriptionRemedy Magnesium-C (Mag-c), 200 one dose
Follow up1st week Sleep >> Stools twice during the week and not
very hard.4 weeks Mother reported that the child was more playful
would come on the table and would have food with everybody.10 weeks
Child started playing with other children, started laughing, crying
and expressing her emotions.12 weeks The complaints of constipation
& irritability relapsed back. Mag-c, 200 3 doses were repeated.
Few doses of Mag carb cured the case. The child opened up like a bud
opening into a flower.
We treat the cases on the individual basis, keeping in mind the
various expressions that are manifested by the child.
Lets us understand how the Magnesium carb personality is:
Magnesium plays an important role in the development of an individual
right from conception. Naturally, any disturbance during the
developmental phase creates deep and long lasting constitutional
effects. If the life is rejected during the development phase in the
womb, the effects remain forever. These rejected and unwanted children
or orphans may reject the world in the same way as they were rejected
Mag-c has a feeling that he is not appreciated. He might think that
parents are quarreling because of him as he is aggressive and
troublemaking. He might also feel that the parents think that he is
not worth anything so they will leave him.
Mag-c personalities are very aggressive. They have a need to be
recognized and accepted if this doesn't happen in the natural way;
they will make their presence felt by their aggressive behavior. They
will force you to respect them.
There is also a strong forsaken feeling. The magnesium personalities
are much closed and will not let their emotions to be known easily.
Some of the striking features are amelioration from motion desire for
open air, yet sensitive to very cold air, He has a desire to be
covered in all the stages of fever daily fever in the evening,
symptoms return every 21 days. There is also marked constipation.
Magnesium as a group has these marked symptoms and expressions.
- Rejection right from conception- Children whose mothers have gone
through lots of stress or strain of life during pregnancy.- Unwanted
children- Anxieties- Rejects the world as a reaction to rejection that
he was subjected to.- Tremendous desire to prove himself- Occupied
with purpose- Attracting attention of others by doing something
unusual.- Desire to achieve many things in life.
This is a brief explanation of a remedy.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. A view of the remedy from the materia medica.
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 followedo A correct History of the Child including
the Behavioro Noting down the expressions of the patiento Physical
complaints conditions of aggravation & Ameliorationo Education in
special school to make them self efficiento Approach to the patient
based on individualityo Selection of the remedy after analysis and
evaluationo To consider the response and the likely line of
treatment.o Maintaining a Note book and noting the changes that occur
to evaluate the case.
Conclusiono We can definitely help the autistic childreno Clear
detailed history is requiredo Differentiate closely related medicineso
Give the medicines till the patient is bettero Get the patient
evaluated by a Psychiatrist and Psychologists.
Dr.Santosh JoshiHomeopathic consultantVisit us at: www.hhomeopathy.com
The remedies prescribed in the cases should not be taken in any case
without the advice of a registered Homeopathic doctor.
http://groups.google.com/group/autismnvc/