Homeopathic Treatment for Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction and behaviour. It is called a spectrum disorder because it affects people in different ways and to varying degrees. Autism spectrum disorder includes conditions that were previously considered separate – autism, Asperger’s syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and an unspecified form of pervasive developmental disorder. Some people still use the term “Asperger’s syndrome,” which is generally thought to be at the mild end of autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder begins in early childhood and eventually causes problems functioning in society – socially, in school and at work, for example. Often children show symptoms of autism within the first year. A small number of children appear to develop normally in the first year and then go through a period of regression between 18 and 24 months of age when they develop autism symptoms. While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, intensive, early treatment can make a big difference in the lives of many children.

Symptoms of Autism

Some children show signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in early infancy, such as reduced eye contact, lack of response to their name or indifference to caregivers. Other children may develop normally for the first few months or years of life, but then suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive or lose language skills they’ve already acquired. These signs can usually be seen by 2 years of age.

Each child with Autism Spectrum Disorder is likely to have a unique pattern of behaviour and level of severity – from low functioning to high functioning. Some may have difficulty learning and some may have signs of lower than normal intelligence. Some children with the disorder have normal to high intelligence – they learn quickly yet have trouble communicating and applying what they know in everyday life and adjusting to social situations. Due to the unique mixture of symptoms in each child, severity can sometimes be difficult to determine. It is generally based on the level of impairments and how they impact an individual’s ability to function.

Below are some common signs shown by people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Difficulties with Social Communication and Interaction

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social interaction and communication skills, including any of these signs:

1. Fails to respond to his or her name or appears not to hear you at times
2. Resists cuddling, holding and seems to prefer playing alone, retreating into his or her own world
3. Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression
4. Doesn’t speak or has delayed speech or loses previous ability to say words or sentences
5. Cannot start a conversation or keep one going or only starts one to make requests or label items
6. Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm and may use a singsong voice or robot like speech
7. Repeats words or phrases verbatim, but does not understand how to use them
8. Does not appear to understand simple questions or directions
9. Does not express emotions or feelings and appears unware of others’ feelings
10. Does not point at or bring objects to share interest
11. Inappropriately approaches a social interaction by being passive, aggressive or disruptive
12. Has difficulty recognizing non-verbal cues, such as interpreting other people’s facial expressions, body postures or tone of voice.

Patterns of Behaviour of Autism

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have limited, repetitive patterns of
behaviour, interests or activities, including any of these signs:

1. Performs repetitive moments, such as rocking, spinning or hand flapping
2. Performs activities that could cause self-harm, such as biting or head-banging
3. Develops specific routines or rituals and becomes disturbed at the slightest change
4. Has problems with coordination or has odd movement patterns, such as clumsiness or walking on toes and has odd, stiff or exaggerated body language
5. Is fascinated by details of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, but does not understand the overall purpose or function of the object
6. Is unusually sensitive to light, sound or touch, yet may be indifferent to pain or temperature
7. Does not engage in imitative or make-believe play
8. Fixates on an object or activity with abnormal intensity or focus
9. Has specific food preferences, such as eating only a few foods or refusing foods with a certain texture

As they mature, some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder become more engaged with others and show fewer disturbances in behaviour. Some, usually those with the least severe problems, eventually may lead normal or near-normal lives. Others, however, continue to have difficulty with language or social skills and the teen years can bring worse behavioural and emotional problems.

Homeopathy Treatments & Medicines Available for Autism

The medicines prescribed to treat Autism can help to treat the following:

1. Improve social interactions
2. Treat and manage tics
3. Improve speech learning
4. Improve focus and concentration
5. Stop inappropriate approaches in social interactions.
   • For example aggression, disruption or passivity
6. Treat specific issues that are unique to the patient