Autism Spectrum Disorder & Homeopathy

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Autism Spectrum Disorder & Homeopathys

July 2013 - Author Trudi Gourdie PhD

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a term used to describe the psychiatric diagnosis of a particular
range of developmental disorders which include Asperger Syndrome. A diagnosis of ASD is centred upon
problems regarding communication and social interaction, inflexibility with regard to thinking and
behaviour, language issues, often accompanied by learning difficulties and sensory issues.(1,2) The
range and severity of these symptoms vary from person to person. These combined problems, which
usually emerge during the developmental phases in early childhood, lead to a restricted social
competence requiring much help and understanding from caregivers who must try to act as a go between
with the outside world. ASD is perceived to be a long term, or life-long, developmental disorder.(1)

It is estimated that over 40,000 people in New Zealand are affected by ASD (1) including approximately
6000 children under the age of 16 years with approximately 360 new cases diagnosed each year.(3)

From the medical perspective, the onset of ASD is thought to be predominantly from birth to around three
years of age. Early diagnosis is considered by the medical profession to be of extreme importance in
order for the individual to receive the appropriate care and understanding of the requirement of special
needs that ASD brings. If diagnosis is not made until the mid to late teenage years, conventional thought
is that much less can be done to help the individual.(4)

Common manifestations of ASD include; prefers to play alone, withdrawn, does not smile when smiled at,
unaware of facial expressions and body language of others, does not make eye contact, never plays
make believe, will not seek help from others, language skills often lower than age group, must adhere to
fixed routines, has to have things in a specific order, attachment to unusual items, unusual ways of
playing with toys, over reactive to loud noises, extremely sensitive to certain smells/tastes or textures.

What homeopathy has to offer in the case of individuals presenting with ASD symptoms and/or diagnosis

Homeopathy looks at each person as an individual. Many of these characteristics may be common to ASD
but each person labelled with this disorder has a unique set of needs and abilities as these
characteristics vary in the degree of expression from person to person. It is these individual differences
that are most important in homeopathy rather than the label of diagnosis. Regardless of disease label,
homeopathy is interested in understanding the person as a unique individual. Homeopathy concentrates
on what is unique in the pathology, what is currently restricting the person the most. The homeopathic
approach, whether presented with a person labelled as having Asperger Syndrome or with Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or with autism, is to look beyond the disease label, to what is presented by
the person as a whole, to find a deeper understanding of that person as an individual.(5) This is
represented as the total symptom picture of the individual person and is unique to that person at that
point in time. The total symptom picture encompasses not only mental, emotional and physical
characteristics of the person but also takes into account such aspects as patterns of experience in utero
from the point of conception, birth experience, personal and family medical history, food and
environmental likes/dislikes as well as fears, dreams and sleep patterns. The homeopath matches up this
total symptom picture as closely as possible with the symptom picture of one of several thousand
homeopathic remedies.

Certain homeopathic remedies have been found to have an affinity with the ASD type disturbance. That is,
aspects of their symptom picture incorporate some or many of the symptoms, or characteristics, which
are associated with ASD. The subtlety of differentiation of such remedies by an experienced homeopath is
based upon the unique symptom picture of each individual person. A remedy is selected on the basis that
its total symptom picture best fits the unique symptom picture presented by the individual at the time.
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Homeopathic Remedies and Autism

Homeopathic remedies from the mineral kingdom are associated with the themes of structure,
relationships, identity, roles, security, attack/defence, issues of performance and being organised, being
literal, logical, numbers orientated, systematic, and inflexible; all common themes associated with ASD.
Remedies in this kingdom, such as Calcarea carbonica, Baryta carbonica, Sulphur, and Natrum
muriaticum, have been found to help individuals, particularly children, presenting with a total symptom
picture which encompasses many of these themes.(5)

Cuprum metallicum has been used to help where there is obsessiveness, tension and inflexibility. The
picture may also include tics and head banging. Saccharum officinale has helped restore emotional
contact, facilitating the expression of feelings and understanding of what others feel.(6)

Helium has the strong theme of not reacting with others, preferring to stay within themselves, not making
eye contact and disliking physical contact. There is no relationship with the environment and does not
like new environments. Head banging and a great memory for details are also features of this remedy.(7,
8)

The Lithium salts are associated with the picture which includes anger tantrums, spontaneous and
impulsive behaviours, extreme reactions, an insular ability to concentrate on a particular technical
subject, where the individual is childishly egocentric, behaving like a three year old while being a
prisoner in their own world.(7,9)

The group of mineral remedies known as the Lanthanides (row 7 of the Periodic table), particularly the
salts of Lanthanum and Cerium, have also been used in association with the ASD disturbance. The
general themes of this group of remedies revolve around a self centredness at a more self reflective level
than the Lithium salts, living in ones own world, feeling they dont fit in the world, needing to decide
everything for oneself, autonomy, the desire to control oneself, difficulty in following rules, preferring to
make own rules, wanting to go their own way and a desire for freedom. There is a difficulty being a child
as a child is always being told what to do so it is easier to retreat into ones own world. Individuals
needing this group of remedies are often intellectual, bright and unconventional, over-sensitive, tend
towards withdrawal and being loners, prefer one-to-one interaction than with a group. Obsessive
behaviour may be apparent as well as reading and writing difficulties such as dyslexia.(9, 10, 11)

Of the plant kingdom of homeopathic remedies, Anacardium orientale, has been used to address
aggressiveness and the state of self absorption in association with ASD.(6)

A group of homeopathic remedies in the animal realm which is proving to be of great value in helping with
ASD is the Matridonal remedies of the humanum family which have issues around touch, connection,
feelings of exclusion, of not having joined humanity, withdrawal due to the overwhelming feeling of too
much stimulus. These issues are often connected to the time in utero and the birth experience. Remedies
include; Umbilical cord(12), Oxytocin(12,13), Lac maternum (6), Placenta(14,15,16) and Vernix.(16)

While Vernix has been used to help establish better boundaries against external stimuli, (6) Placenta
humana has helped to re-establish contact with the world where there is avoidance of eye contact, lack of
speech, rejection of touch and a tendency to walk on tip toe. This state appears to often be associated
with traumatic birth experiences and, or disturbance in utero.(14, 15)

Other remedies from the animal realm which have associations with the ASD disturbance include Oyster
(17) and Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). In the latter (bird) remedy, the themes of impartial
detachment, independence, observation without involvement, together with hypersensitivity (hyper
acuity) of the senses, lends the remedy to use in ASD.(18)

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the remedies used in association with ASD. Many other
homeopathic remedies have the potential to help with ASD on an individual basis.

Why consider Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a safe and gentle approach to working with these types of communication and social
interaction issues in both children and adults. The situation is often very complex when there is a
diagnosis of ASD. The highly individualised approach of homeopathy means that what is important is how
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an individual differs from another individual with the same diagnosis. This requires an experienced
homeopath with expertise in case taking, skilled in the differentiation of remedies, only one of which is
given at a time. Without side effects, this approach can be used alongside existing pharmaceutical
medications, supplements, and specialised diets.*

Homeopathic remedies are inexpensive and easy to administer. The effects of a well chosen remedy may
last for several weeks or months. The homeopathic approach takes time and perseverance, often
alleviating the need for restrictive diets.(19) Homeopathy has the potential to create improvement in all
areas such as behaviour, physical and emotional symptoms as well as addressing genetic susceptibilities
and environmental insults. In the ASD type disturbance, improvements in concentration, attention,
memory, academic performance, social interaction with peers, self confidence, moods, reduction in
aggressive, defiant behaviour, improved relationship with parents and siblings, may be expected.(19, 20)
A reduction in overall sensitivity may be seen as well as improvements in both chronic health complaints
as well as increased resistance to acute illnesses due to the strengthening of the immune system.

This is an excellent opportunity for the gentle approach of homeopathy to be investigated.

*Many individuals diagnosed with ASD adhere to a gluten and casein free (GFCF) diet which is believed to
reduce the severity of many of the symptoms of ASD, often improving speech and behaviour. This is very
difficult to adhere to, especially in families, as all foods containing gluten (found in rye, barley, and wheat)
and casein (found in dairy products and milk) must be removed from the diet, requiring supplements to
replace minerals, vitamins and fibre.(19, 21)

References:

1. Autism NZ Inc., http://www.autismnz.org.nz/ , (accessed March 2013)

2. Maia Szalavitz and Bruce D Perry, MD, PhD, 'Born for Love: Why Empathy is Issential and
Endangered,' (New York: Harper Collins, 2010) Chapter 4, pp.72-95

3. ASD (autism spectrum disorder) http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/asd-autism-spectrum-disorder,

(accessed March 2013)

4. 'Autism Update,' talk given by Dr Leila Masson, paediatrician, to the Australasian Integrative Medicine
Association Inc (AIMA), Auckland, New Zealand, 26 February 2013.

5. Christopher K Jones, PhD and Harry van der Zee, MD Hom, editors, 'Homeopathy and Mental Health
Care, Integrative Practice, Principles and Research,' (Netherlands: Homeolinks Publishers, 2010), pp. 98 -
101.

6. Jay Yasur book review of 'Autism: Beyond Despair - CEASE Therapy, Homeopathy Has the Answers,' by
Tinus Smits, MD ,(Emyrss Publishers 2010) http://www.minimum.com/reviews/autism-smits3.htm

7. Alicia Lee, 'Homeopathic Mind Maps, remedies of the Mineral Kingdom, (Auckland, New Zealand,
Moozoonsii Publishing, 2010), pp. 19-22.

8. Jan Scholten, 'Homeopathy and the Elements,' (Netherlands, Stichting Alonnissos, 1996), pp. 94-96.

9. a. Ulrich Welte and Markus Kuntosch, 'Shy Odd, Really Brainy,' Spectrum of Homeopathy, No. 1,
Childhood and Psyche, Fear Autism Aggression ADHD, (2010), Narayana Publishers, Germany, pp.
14-21. b. Jan Scholten, 'Overcoming the False Self,' Spectrum of Homeopathy, No. 1, Childhood and
Psyche, Fear Autism Aggression ADHD, (2010), Narayana Publishers, Germany, pp. 22-26.

10. Jan Scholten, 'Secret Lanthanides,' (Netherlands, Stichting Alonnissos, 2005), pp. 83-130.

11. Alicia Lee, 'Homeopathic Mind Maps, remedies of the Mineral Kingdom, (Auckland, New Zealand,
Moozoonsii Publishing, 2010), p. 78.

12. Alize Timmeran, seminar 'Gifts of the Mother, Introducing the homeopathic remedies from the Human
Realm,' Auckland, New Zealand, February 18-21, 2011.

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13. Alize Timmerman, 'The Love and Care Hormone,' Spectrum of Homeopathy, No.1, New Life, Peri-natal
Homeopathy, (2013), Narayana Publishers, Germany, pp. 86-97.

14. Juergen Weiland, 'Pathway into Life,' Spectrum of Homeopathy, No. 1, Childhood and Psyche, Fear-
Autism-Aggression-ADHD, (2010), Narayana Publishers, Germany, pp. 8-13.

15. Juergen Weiland, seminar 'Childhood and Homeopathy, Healthy Mental and Physical Development,'
Auckland, New Zealand, October 27-28, 2012.

16. Melissa Assilem, 'Matridonal Remedies of the Humanum Family; Gifts of the Mother,' (Idolatry. Ink,
2009), pp. 42-68.

17. Katja and David Behrens, 'My Heart is Broken: A Case of Oyster,'
http://www.interhomeopathy.org/2013-march, edited by Deborah Collins and Patricia Mache, March 2013.

18. Jonathan Shore, MD, Judy Shriebman, Anneke Hogeland, 'Birds: Homeopathic remedies from the
Avian Realm,' (U.S.A., Published by Homeopathy West, 2004), p. 86 (conditions to be considered).

19. Erica McPhee, http://www.recoveredfromautism.com Nov 2011, (accessed March 2013).

20. Amy L Lansky, PhD, 'Impossible Cure: The Promise of Homeopathy,' (R.L. Ranch Press, 2003),
http://www.ImpossibleCure.com, (accessed March 2013)

21. Web MD, Autism Spectrum Disorders Health Centre, http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/gluten-free-

casein-free-diets-for-autism (accessed March 2013)

Further references of interest:

Maia Szalavitz and Bruce D Perry, MD, PhD, Born for Love: Why Empathy is Essential and Endangered,
(New York: Harper Collins, 2010) Chapter 4, pp. 72- 95.

Role of Homeopathy in Autism by Dr Santosh Joshi,

http://www.homeoint.org/site/joshi/austism.htm

Differentiating ASD From DLD (delay in language development) in Toddlers

http://div1perspectives.asha.org/content/15/3/101.full

Center for Autism & Develpmental Disabilites Epidemiology

http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/wendy-klag-center-for-autism-and-developmental-
disabilities/_archive/Facts/autism.html

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