Autism

Overview of Autism

Doctors typically diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in childhood when symptoms can occur before 3 years of age, according to the American Autism Association.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States today. [2]

The word "autism" comes from the Greek word "autos," which means "self." It describes conditions in which a person is removed from social interaction. In other words, he becomes an “isolated self.”

Symptom covered in ASD:

It covers a large spectrum of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment. ASD ranges in severity from a disability that somewhat limits an otherwise normal life to a devastating disability that may require institutional care. [1]

While different types of ASD occur, common experiences among people with the condition include impairment in social situations and the adoption of repetitive behaviors.

Some children with autism might seem to show symptoms from birth, while others may develop more obvious signs as they become older.

Autism also has links to other medical conditions, such as epilepsy and tuberous sclerosis complex.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), an estimated 20 to 30 percent of people with ASD develop epilepsy by the time they reach childhood. [2]

Causes

The causes of autism are currently not known, but significant numbers of studies are underway with a view to learning how it develops.

Genetic Factors:

Researchers have identified several genes that appear to have connections to ASD. Occasionally, these genes arise by spontaneously mutate. In other cases, people may inherit them.

In studies of twins, autism often has a strong correlation between twins. e.g., if one twin has autism, the other is likely to have autism an estimated 36 to 95 percent of the time, according to the NINDS.

Vaccination:

Another common misconception surrounding autism is that receiving vaccines, such as those for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), can contribute to autism.

However, the CDC report that there is no known connection between vaccines and autism.

In detail, A 2013 study confirmed that the number of antigens, or substances that trigger the production of disease-fighting antibodies are the same in children who do and do not have ASD.

Some people claim that thimerosal, a preservative that contains mercury and is in specific vaccines, has links to autism. However, at least nine different studies since 2003 have provided evidence that counters this claim.

The Lancet journal published the initial paper that triggered the controversy around vaccines and autism and retracted it 12 years later after evidence of data tampering, and research fraud became clear.

Others:

In brief, Those with autism may also undergo changes in key areas of their brains that impact their speech and behavior.

Environmental factors might also play a role in the development of ASD, although doctors have not yet confirmed a link.

However, researchers do know that some rumored causes, such as parenting practices, do not cause autism. [2]

Types of Autism

• Asperger’s syndrome. These children don’t have a problem with language; in fact, they tend to score in the average or above-average range on intelligence tests. But they have social problems and a narrow scope of interests.
• Autistic disorder. This is what most people think of when they hear the word "autism." It refers to problems with social interactions, communication, and play in children younger than 3 years.
• Childhood disintegrative disorder. These children have typical development for at least 2 years and then lose some or most of their communication and social skills.
• Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD or atypical autism). Your doctor might use this term if your child has some autistic behavior, like delays in social and communications skills, but doesn’t fit into another category.[5]

Risk Factors

• Having a sibling with ASD
• Having certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis
• Experiencing complications at birth
• Being born to older parents[4]

Pathophysiology

Various theories where proposed in order to explain the pathophysiology underlying ASD.

Despite the fact that none of them is able to completely explain the impairments in the nervous system of ASD patients, these hypotheses were instrumental in highlighting the most important mechanisms in the development of this complex disorder.

Some new theories are based on neovascularization studies, others on the data from genomic studies, which become increasingly available worldwide.

As the research in this field is largely dependent on the animal models, there is an ongoing discussion and search for the most appropriate one adequately reproducing the pathology.

Here we provide an overview of current theories of the origin and development of ASD discussed in the context of existing and proposed rodent models of ASD.[6]

Sign & Symptoms

The common thread is differences in social skills, communication, and behavior compared with people who aren’t on the spectrum.

Social Skills:

• Adoption of unusual speech patterns, such as using a robot-like tone
• Avoiding eye contact with others
• Not responding to their name
• Prefers to be alone.
• Doesn’t understand emotions – his own or others’
• Apparent difficulty in understanding feelings also expressing their own

Communication:

About 40% of kids with autism spectrum disorders don’t talk at all, and between 25% and 30% develop some language skills during infancy but then lose them later. Some children with ASD start talking later in life.

Most have some problems with communication, i.e.:

• Delayed speech and language skills
• Having difficulty with maintaining conversation
• Flat, either robotic speaking voice, or singsong voice
• Echolalia (repeating the same phrase over and over)
• Problems with pronouns (saying “you” instead of “I,” for example)
• Not using or rarely using common gestures (in other words, pointing or waving), and not responding to them
• Inability to stay on topic when talking or answering questions
• Not recognizing sarcasm or joking

Diagnosis

Milestones

Differential Diagnosis

• Learning Disability/Intellectual Disability (LD/ID)
• ADHD
• Social Communication Disorder (SCD)
• Gifted and Talented
• Anxiety
• Language Disorder
• Hearing Impairment
• Attachment Disorder
• Regression and Rett’s
• Genetic disorders and Syndromic
• Epilepsy
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Sensory Processing Difficulties (SPD)
• Vision Impairment (VI)[7]

Investigation

This might include i.e.

• hearing and vision tests or
• genetic tests[5]

Treatment

There is no uniform treatment for autism, as every person with the condition presents differently.

Therapies and strategies are available for managing the health issues that often accompany autism. These issues can include epilepsy, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and sleep disturbances.

While not all of these treatments will be effective for all people with ASD, there are many options to consider that may help people cope. [2]

Behavior and Communication Treatments:

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA):

ABA is often used in schools and clinics to help your child learn positive behaviors and reduce negative ones.

This approach can be used to improve a wide range of skills, and there are different types for different situations, such as:

• Discrete trial training (DTT) uses simple lessons and positive reinforcement.
• Pivotal response training (PRT) helps develop motivation to learn and communicate.
• Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is best for children under age 5.
• Verbal behavior intervention (VBI) focuses on language skills. [1]

Floortime i.e.:

• This involves parents joining children in the play area and building relationships. ABA therapies might also use floortime to support treatment and vice versa.
• Through this engagement, a child with ASD learns two-way and complex communication, emotional thought, and intimacy.
• They also learn to take the lead of regulating themselves and engaging with their environment. [2]

Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-H. Children (TEACCH) i.e.:

• This treatment uses visual cues such as picture cards to help your child learn everyday skills like getting dressed. Information is broken down into small steps so he can learn it more easily. [1]
• This program helps to integrate the needs of children with autism into a classroom environment, with an emphasis on visual learning and support for the attention and communication difficulties that might arise.
• Special education providers and social workers, as well as medical professionals providing other treatments, such as psychologists and speech therapists, can use this system to support children with ASD. [2]

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) i.e.:

• This is another visual-based treatment, but it uses symbols instead of picture cards. Your child learns to ask questions and communicate through special symbols. [2]

Relationship development intervention (RDI):

• This treatment revolves around the importance of dynamic thinking, or the ability to adapt thoughts and process situations flexibly, to help improve quality of life in people with autism.
• The focus of RDI includes understanding other people’s perspectives, processing change, and absorbing information from several sources at once, such as sight and sound, without experiencing distress. [2]

Occupational Therapy such as:

• This kind of treatment helps your child learn life skills like feeding and dressing himself, bathing, and understanding how to relate to other people. The skills he learns are meant to help him live as independently as he can. [1]
• People with ASD then practice these skills outside of the therapy sessions, which are usually between 30 and 60 minutes long. [2]

Sensory Integration Therapy such as:

•  If your child is easily upset by things like bright lights, certain sounds, or the feeling of being touched, this therapy can help him learn to deal with that kind of sensory information. [1]

Speech therapy i.e.:

• This helps to address the challenges in communication that people with autism might experience.
• Assistance might include matching emotions with facial expressions, learning how to interpret body language, and responding to questions.
• A speech therapist might also try to teach the nuances of vocal tone and help the individual strengthen their speech and clarity. [2]

Medications:

There is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, and there’s currently no medication to treat it.

But some medicines can help with related symptoms like depression, seizures, insomnia, also trouble focusing.

Studies have shown that medication is most effective when it’s combined with behavioral therapies.

Risperidone (Risperdal) is the only drug approved by the FDA for children with autism spectrum disorder. It can be prescribed for children between 5 and 16 years old to help with irritability.

Some doctors will prescribe other drugs in certain cases, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), anti-anxiety medications, or stimulants, but they’re not FDA-approved for autism spectrum disorder.

Talk with your child’s doctor about whether there are medicines that treat his symptoms. [1]

Prevention

In rare cases, doctors also say, a baby can be born with birth defects if the mother was exposed to certain chemicals while she was pregnant.

But doctors can’t find out, during your pregnancy, if your baby will have autism.

While you can’t prevent having a child with an autistic disorder, you can increase your odds of having a healthy baby by doing these lifestyle changes:

Live healthy i.e.:

Have regular check-ups, eat well-balanced meals, and exercise. Make sure you have good prenatal care, and take all recommended vitamins and supplements.

Don’t take drugs during pregnancy i.e.:

Ask your doctor before you take any medication. This is especially true for some antiseizure drugs.

Avoid alcohol i.e.:

Say “no” to that glass of wine and any kind of alcoholic beverage — while you’re pregnant.

Seek treatment for existing health conditions i.e.:

If you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease or PKU, follow your doctor’s advice for keeping them under control.

Get vaccinated i.e.:

Make sure you get the German measles (rubella) vaccine before you get pregnant. It can prevent rubella-associated autism. [1]

Homeopathic Treatment of Autism

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis.

Which includes

• The medical history of the patient,
• Physical and mental constitution,
• Family history,
• Presenting symptoms,
• Underlying pathology,
• Possible causative factors etc.

A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions.

What Homoeopathic doctors do?

A homeopathy doctor tries to treat more than just the presenting symptoms. The focus is usually on what caused the disease condition? Why ‘this patient’ is sick ‘this way’?

The disease diagnosis is important but in homeopathy, the cause of disease not just probed to the level of bacteria and viruses. Other factors like mental, emotional and physical stress that could predispose a person to illness also looked for. Now a days, even modern medicine also considers a large number of diseases as psychosomatic. The correct homeopathy remedy tries to correct this disease predisposition.

The focus is not on curing the disease but to cure the person who is sick, to restore the health. If a disease pathology not very advanced, homeopathy remedies do give a hope for cure but even in incurable cases, the quality of life can greatly improve with homeopathic medicines.

Homeopathic Medicines for Autism:

The homeopathic remedies (medicines) given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the homeopathy treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each homeopathic remedy may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications also taken into account for selecting a remedy, potency and repetition of dose by Homeopathic doctor.

So, here we describe homeopathic medicine only for reference and education purpose. Do not take medicines without consulting registered homeopathic doctor (BHMS or M.D. Homeopath).

Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine.

The selection of homeopathic remedy for Autism is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach.

The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat autism spectrum disorder but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility.

Following homeopathic remedies are helpful in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder:

Aethusa cynapium:

• The characteristic symptoms relate mainly to the brain and nervous system, connected with gastrointestinal disturbance.
• Restless; anxious; disconnected; uneasy also violent;
• Inability to think, to fix the attention.
• Anguish, crying, and expression of uneasiness and discontent, lead to this remedy most frequently in disease in children.

Agaricus Muscaris:

• Child sings talks but does not answer.
• Singing, shouting, muttering rhymes also prophesies.
• Loquacious, talk unintelligent, continuously changes topics.
• Twitching in muscles is a marked symptom.
• Aversion to work. Does not want to do his daily households.
• Talks continuously and jumps over one to another topic.
• Indifference;
• In general, Great mental excitement and incoherent talking;
• Mental confusion.
• Agaricus acts as an intoxicant to the brain, producing more vertigo and delirium than alcohol, followed by profound sopor with decreased reflexes.

Baryta Carbonica:

• Weak memory, idiotic child.
• Shyness with low confidence.
• Aversion to strangers, hides himself behind chair.
• Physically dwarf stunted growth.
• Tendency of recurrent tonsillitis.
• Very sensitive to cold air, cold weather.
• Excellent homeopathy remedy for children with autism who have low IQ.
• Loss of memory; mental weakness.
• Lost confidence in himself; bashful.
• Childish; grief over trifles; irresolute.
• They are backward physically also mentally.

Carcinosin:

• Wonderful homeopathic medicine for autism spectrum disorder.
• Child is mild, yielding also sensitive to reprimands.
• Moreover, Hyperactivity is not very marked in Carcinosin patients.
• May have interest in art work like drawing, singing, coloring etc.
• Affectionate and sympathetic patient.
• Autism in children with family history of cancer or strong history of diabetes and coronary artery disease in both paternal and maternal families.
• Lastly, Child if often slow but agreeable and caring.

Calcarea Phosphorica:

• Anemic children who are peevish and irritable.
• Strong desire to go out.
• Traveling, motion desires.
• Either Recurrent tonsillitis or adenoiditis.
• Pain on opening of mouth.
• Mouth breathing
• Infants want to nurse all the time and vomits easily.
• Craving for salted smoked meat.

Hyoscyamus Niger:

• Low muttering speech.
• Very suspicious.
• Talkative; obscene; jealous; foolish.
• Great hilarity; inclined to laugh at everything; deep stupor.
• Quarrelsome; uncovers body; purposeless movements; no love for near once.

Kali Bromatum:

• Homeopathic medicine especially for autism where child moves purposelessly;
• Hand flapping, fidgety hands.
• Loss of memory; can pronounce any word told, but cannot speak otherwise;
• Night delusions; horrid illusions.

Lycopodium:

• Anxious child, specially appears in public.
• Obstinate, domineering, does not share things.
• Anticipatory anxiety
• Desire especially for sweet and warm food. Intolerance for cold drinks.
• Weak, emaciated, precocious children.
• Anger violent, irritable child.
• Aversion to company, but needs someone in house.

Phosphorus:

• Very affectionate, friendly child.
• Yielding, mild, cheerful patient.
• Desire for cold drinks, ice-cream also fruit juices.
• Constipation, hard stool.
• Restless, fearful, fear of loud noises also external impressions.
• Fear when alone, fear of thunderstorm.

Silicea:

• Obstinate child, concern about everything.
• Homeopathic medicine for autism in children who are intelligent (in other words good in academics), sensitive to reprimands, obedient.
• Fixed ideas for everything.
• Profuse sweating in palm also soles.
• Very obstinate constipation.
• Defective nutrition, can not assimilate what he eat.
• Very sensitive to cold weather.
• Autism after vaccination.

Tarentula Hispanica:

• Hyperactive child; extreme restless;
• Must keep in constant motion;
• Sudden mood changes.
• Aversion to company; disconnected.
• Homeopathic medicine for autism spectrum disorder in which has destructive behavior
• Likes bright colors.
• Like music also dance.

Terminology

Core Homeopathic Terms:

• Homeopathy: A system of alternative medicine that uses highly diluted substances to stimulate the body’s healing response.
• Remedy: A substance prepared according to homeopathic principles, used to treat specific symptoms or conditions.
• Materia Medica: A comprehensive reference book detailing the symptoms and characteristics associated with each homeopathic remedy.
• Repertory: A book that lists symptoms and the corresponding remedies that may be helpful for those symptoms.
• Constitutional Type: The individual’s unique physical and mental characteristics, which guide the selection of homeopathic remedies.
• Individualization: The process of selecting the most appropriate remedy for a specific individual based on their unique symptom picture.
• Potency: The level of dilution of a homeopathic remedy, often indicated by a number (e.g., 6C, 30C, 200C).
• Aggravation: A temporary worsening of symptoms after taking a remedy, sometimes seen as a sign that the remedy is working.
• Amelioration: An improvement of symptoms after taking a remedy.

Autism-Specific Terms:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD): An older term used to describe a group of disorders that are now included in the ASD diagnosis.
• Echolalia: The repetition of words or phrases spoken by others.
• Stereotypies: Repetitive behaviors, movements, or speech patterns.
• Sensory Sensitivities: Unusual responses to sensory input (light, sound, touch, etc.).

Homeopathic Remedies Mentioned:

• Aethusa Cynapium: For digestive issues, developmental delays, and neurological symptoms.
• Agaricus Muscaris: For hyperactivity, twitching, and incoherent speech.
• Baryta Carbonica: For developmental delays, shyness, and weak memory.
• Carcinosin: For sensitivity, artistic interests, and a family history of cancer.
• Calcarea Phosphorica: For irritability, teething issues, and bone development problems.
• Hyoscyamus Niger: For inappropriate behavior, suspicion, and incoherent speech.
• Kali Bromatum: For restlessness, hand flapping, and memory problems.
• Lycopodium: For anxiety, strong opinions, and digestive issues.
• Phosphorus: For anxiety, fearfulness, and strong desires for cold drinks.
• Silicea: For stubbornness, perfectionism, and sensitivity.
• Tarentula Hispanica: For hyperactivity, restlessness, and destructive behavior.

Important Considerations:

• Homeopathy for autism should always be practiced under the guidance of a qualified homeopathic practitioner.
• Homeopathy is not a substitute for conventional medical care for autism. It can be used alongside traditional treatments to potentially provide additional support.

References

1. https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/understanding-autism-basics#1
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323758.php
3. https://hpathy.com/cause-symptoms-treatment/autism-spectrum-disorder/
4. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html#:~:text=Autism%20spectrum%20disorder%20(ASD)%20is,most%20common%20ways%20people%20develop
5. https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/understanding-autism-basics
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016643281730431X
7. https://www.drsrigada.co.uk/differential-diagnoses-of-an-autism-spectrum-disorder/
8. Public Health Dimensions of Autism Spectrum Disorder in India: An Overview – ResearchGate
9. All You Need to Know About Early Detection and Diagnosis of Autism – India Autism Center
10. Economic Times | India to be a hub for treating autism; focus on early diagnosis, research needed
11. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis | PLOS ONE
12. Epidemiology of autism spectrum disorder in children aged 2–9 years in Chandigarh, India: A community based study – Indian Journal of Psychiatry
13. Kaplan & Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry
14. The American Psychiatric Association Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry
15. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)