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. [There was no problem of intelligence, because the IQ was 80 +] 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 : Autism 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: [1] 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. [2] Qualitative impairment in communication : Marked inability to initiate or sustain conversation with others. [3] 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.
Prescription Remedy Magnesium-C (Mag-c), 200 one dose
Follow up 1st 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 followed o A correct History of the Child including the Behavior o Noting down the expressions of the patient o Physical complaints conditions of aggravation & Amelioration o Education in special school to make them self efficient o Approach to the patient based on individuality o Selection of the remedy after analysis and evaluation o 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.
Conclusion o We can definitely help the autistic children o Clear detailed history is required o Differentiate closely related medicines o Give the medicines till the patient is better o Get the patient evaluated by a Psychiatrist and Psychologists.
Dr.Santosh Joshi Homeopathic consultant Web-site here E-mail: tosh116@gmail.com
Cell: +91 9819155780 CR: 022 - 40126276 Resi: 022-25548197
Consulting room 17, Silver Birch, Vasant garden, Off L.B.S road, Near Swapna nagari, Mulund (W) Mumbai -400080 India
The remedies prescribed in the cases should not be taken in any case without the advice of a registered Homeopathic doctor.
by Dr.Santosh Joshi
