Autism Care with Homeopathy
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex, heterogeneous condition with skyrocketing incidence. In 2018 the CDC determined that approximately one child in 59 children was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. More boys are affected than girls - the current rate of autism in boys is 1 in 37.
Over 30% of children with ASD have an intellectual disability (IQ <70) and another 25% are in the borderline range (IQ 71–85). At the current rate of growth, autism is projected to affect 1 in 2 children by 2032.
Autism is increasingly being understood as caused by an interplay of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Homeopathy can help by increasing overall health and by stimulating the body's own defense and detoxification mechanisms. Homeopathic remedies are given for the unique symptoms of the child as well as their unique history, not the condition.
I am happy to be able to offer my many years of training and expertise in homeopathy to help your child.
How can this be done?
By taking a very detailed case history.
Over 30% of children with ASD have an intellectual disability (IQ <70) and another 25% are in the borderline range (IQ 71–85). At the current rate of growth, autism is projected to affect 1 in 2 children by 2032.
Autism is increasingly being understood as caused by an interplay of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Homeopathy can help by increasing overall health and by stimulating the body's own defense and detoxification mechanisms. Homeopathic remedies are given for the unique symptoms of the child as well as their unique history, not the condition.
I am happy to be able to offer my many years of training and expertise in homeopathy to help your child.
How can this be done?
By taking a very detailed case history.
Predispositions and Environmental Factors
Most children who develop autism are born with certain predispositions that make them more vulnerable to environmental stressors and toxins. This may be linked to genetics or a family history of certain diseases or stressors.
The modern child is exposed to many chemicals, synthetic drugs, vaccines, ultrasounds and other medical interventions, heavy metals such as aluminum and mercury, wifi and other radiation that are new to humanity. Exposure in utero or during the first two - three years of life has the potential to impair normal development, especially in those more vulnerable.
Homeopathy can be helpful with both aspects. Classical prescribing can help to strengthen the child overall and address inherited weaknesses. Particular stressors such as shocks, antibiotics, vaccines, anaesthetics, chemicals etc, depending on the history, may be addressed or detoxed with relevant remedies.
The modern child is exposed to many chemicals, synthetic drugs, vaccines, ultrasounds and other medical interventions, heavy metals such as aluminum and mercury, wifi and other radiation that are new to humanity. Exposure in utero or during the first two - three years of life has the potential to impair normal development, especially in those more vulnerable.
Homeopathy can be helpful with both aspects. Classical prescribing can help to strengthen the child overall and address inherited weaknesses. Particular stressors such as shocks, antibiotics, vaccines, anaesthetics, chemicals etc, depending on the history, may be addressed or detoxed with relevant remedies.
Concerns addressed
Parents bring their child or youth to me for a variety of reasons, sometimes a very specific issue or more general help for overall development:
- Melt-downs and aggression
- Feeding problems
- Sleep issues
- Constipation and/or diarrhea
- Toilet training
- Eye contact and socials skills
- Repetitive and OCD tendencies
- Speech delay
- Hyperactivity
- Tantrums
- Oversensitivity to environmental stimuli such as sounds and light and clothing
Questions: Book a free 15-minute discover session here
Homeopathy for Developmental Disorders
Interview with me on homeopathy and nutrition for autism, shot for local television from 2015, still very relevant. Please note the video refers to me as Dr. Anke Zimmermann, ND, I have since withdrawn my naturopathic license as an act of conscientious objection to changes in bylaws the BC College of Naturopathic Doctors forbidding us to counsel parents that their child with autism may have been vaccine-injured among other things. You can read more about it under my bio here.
Research on Homeopathy and Autism
This study from India, titled Effectiveness of homoeopathic therapeutics in the management of childhood autism disorder, found very positive effects for homeopathy in autism, with 88% of children in the study group improving.
A Total 88.34% cases showed improvement, 8.33% showed status quo, and 3.33% cases worsened. Nine out of 60 cases showed a reversal of CARS putting them into non-autistic zone, P = 0.0001. A sharp decrease (34%) in ATEC scores, in the first quarter implied positive effect of homoeopathic medicines, prescribed, as per the homoeopathic principles.
The authors concluded that the study demonstrated usefulness of homoeopathic treatment in the management of neuropsychological dysfunction in childhood autism disorder, which is reflected in significant reduction of hyperactivity, behavioral dysfunction, sensory impairment as well as communication difficulty.
The authors concluded that the study demonstrated usefulness of homoeopathic treatment in the management of neuropsychological dysfunction in childhood autism disorder, which is reflected in significant reduction of hyperactivity, behavioral dysfunction, sensory impairment as well as communication difficulty.
Role of Homeopathy in the Management of Autism - Study of Effects of Homeopathic Treatment in the Autism Triad
Another study, also from India, looked at the effects of classical prescribing in a group of children. It was a small study with only five children but the results were encouraging. The report describes the cases and the remedies used in detail. You can read the study here.
The authors summarized the overall results seen after 9 months of homeopathic treatment as follows:
• Reduction in hyperactivity
• Improvement in sitting tolerance/attention span
• Improvement in sensory perceptual skills
• Better & appropriate expression of emotions
• Improvement in both fine motor & gross motor abilities
• Improvement in social skills/eye contact
• Improvement in speech, language & communication skills
• Reduction in anxiety states/temper tantrums
• Better sleep patterns
The authors summarized the overall results seen after 9 months of homeopathic treatment as follows:
• Reduction in hyperactivity
• Improvement in sitting tolerance/attention span
• Improvement in sensory perceptual skills
• Better & appropriate expression of emotions
• Improvement in both fine motor & gross motor abilities
• Improvement in social skills/eye contact
• Improvement in speech, language & communication skills
• Reduction in anxiety states/temper tantrums
• Better sleep patterns
Homeopathy
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Homeopathy was developed by German physician and chemist Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the early 1800’s. It is a method of medical treatment which stimulates the body’s own healing processes in order to heal illnesses.
Although autism is not an illness, a person with autism may suffer from health issues or symptoms that may benefit from treatment and improve his or her overall function, including communication and interaction. The focus of homeopathy is to treat the child or individual as a whole. Homeopathy not only examines the present symptoms but also takes into account the general physical and mental constitution of the patient, past medical history, medical history of parents, information about pregnancy and so on. |
Different Types of Homeopathy
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There are a number of different types of homeopathy which may be helpful for children on the spectrum and I am familiar with all of them:
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Classical Homeopathy
Classical homeopathy, also known as constitutional homeopathy uses single remedies. The practitioner takes a detailed history from the patient. From the answers to those questions, as well as through observation, the practitioner attempts to match the pattern of the patient’s symptoms to the pattern of a single remedy as outlined in one or more Materia Medicas.
The choice of the remedy can be aided by sophisticated computer programs. The potency is usually determined by a number of factors, including severity and history of the symptoms. This form of treatment is most similar to the one developed by Hahnemann and is also the most common form of practice. Many practitioners who care for children on the spectrum find that in about 50% of cases constitutional remedies are the most effective remedies for children on the spectrum
The choice of the remedy can be aided by sophisticated computer programs. The potency is usually determined by a number of factors, including severity and history of the symptoms. This form of treatment is most similar to the one developed by Hahnemann and is also the most common form of practice. Many practitioners who care for children on the spectrum find that in about 50% of cases constitutional remedies are the most effective remedies for children on the spectrum
Homotoxicology and Reckeweg Remedies
Heinrich Reckeweg
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and to facilitate the body's elimination of toxic substancesHomotoxicology has a colourful history which starts with Heinrich Reckeweg (1877-1944). He was a teacher who suffered severe illness, including kidney inflammation and tuberculosis and became interested in natural healing as a result.
He then started to develop homeopathic and herbal combination products in the early 20s some of which are still in use today around the world. The company Dr. Reckeweg was founded in 1947 and has been producing combination homeopathic products designed to work with the body's defense mechanism. |
.When used in combination formulations, some of which contain measurable amounts of homeopathically prepared active ingredients, they can be utilized to treat specific indications.
Heilkunst
Heilkunst, German for Healing Art, attempts to address the true, underlying causes of disease conditions and uses an integrated approach when treating a condition. Heilkunst looks at the individual circumstances of each child, since each case is unique even if many of the causes are similar, and it includes homeopathy as well as drainage, detoxification, diet, supplements, the balancing of the autonomic nervous system, energy work, and fungal treatment.
Sequential Homeopathy
Sequential Homeopathy, also referred to as Sequential Therapy or Sequential Treatment, refers to the treatment of specific shocks and traumas (mainly drugs, surgeries, but also emotional traumas) in a person’s life using homeopathic remedies.
The traumas are identified by creating a “timeline” and are then treated in the reverse order (backwards from the present, to birth/conception and into the inherited predispositions). Sequential treatment was first developed by Dr. J.F. Elmiger, MD of Switzerland, and was brought to North America and the homeopathic community and developed further in the early 1990’s by Patty Smith and Rudi Verspoor of the Hahnemann College and Clinic for Heilkunst.
The traumas are identified by creating a “timeline” and are then treated in the reverse order (backwards from the present, to birth/conception and into the inherited predispositions). Sequential treatment was first developed by Dr. J.F. Elmiger, MD of Switzerland, and was brought to North America and the homeopathic community and developed further in the early 1990’s by Patty Smith and Rudi Verspoor of the Hahnemann College and Clinic for Heilkunst.
CEASE Therapy
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CEASE Therapy is very similar to both Heilkunst and Sequential Therapy as it incorporates a number of different strategies, including constitutional homeopathy, drainage remedies, remedies for specific shocks and stressor, nutritional advise and supplements. It was developed by the Dutch medical doctor and homeopath Tinus Smits.
It is an elegant integrated program, which he developed primarily for children on the autism spectrum. Unfortunately he called it 'Complete Elimination of Autism Spectrum Expresssion, which may be perceived as a claim to complete cure or elimination. Dr. Smits in his lifetime never claimed that all children could be completely cured and I certainly do not claim that all children with autism can be cured. Many, however, can be significantly helped in various areas and a few under my care have lost their diagnosis. |
Research on Integrated Nutritional Programs and Autism
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Nutritional interventions for children with autism have been reported to be helpful by parents and are increasingly validated via scientific studies.
Various programs have been reported to be successful, including different diets, herbs and supplements. I am familiar with the various nutritional and biomedical approaches. An interesting study using an integrated nutrition protocol was published early in 2018 and showed significant improvement in autism symptoms and developmental age in the treatment group: |
Comprehensive Nutritional and Dietary Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder—A Randomized, Controlled 12-Month Trial.
The study involved a randomized, controlled, single-blind 12-month treatment study of a comprehensive nutritional and dietary intervention. Participants were 67 children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ages 3–58 years from Arizona and 50 non-sibling neurotypical controls of similar age and gender.
Treatment began with a special vitamin/mineral supplement, and additional treatments were added sequentially, including essential fatty acids, Epsom salt baths, carnitine, digestive enzymes, and a healthy gluten-free, casein-free, soy-free (HGCSF) diet.
There was a significant improvement in nonverbal intellectual ability in the treatment group compared to the non-treatment group (+6.7 ± 11 IQ points vs. −0.6 ± 11 IQ points, p = 0.009) based on a blinded clinical assessment. Based on semi-blinded assessment, the treatment group, compared to the non-treatment group, had significantly greater improvement in autism symptoms and developmental age.
The treatment group had significantly greater increases in EPA, DHA, carnitine, and vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, B12, folic acid, and Coenzyme Q10. The positive results of this study suggest that a comprehensive nutritional and dietary intervention is effective at improving nutritional status, non-verbal IQ, autism symptoms, and other symptoms in most individuals with ASD. Parents reported that the vitamin/mineral supplements, essential fatty acids, and HGCSF diet were the most beneficial.
The study involved a randomized, controlled, single-blind 12-month treatment study of a comprehensive nutritional and dietary intervention. Participants were 67 children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ages 3–58 years from Arizona and 50 non-sibling neurotypical controls of similar age and gender.
Treatment began with a special vitamin/mineral supplement, and additional treatments were added sequentially, including essential fatty acids, Epsom salt baths, carnitine, digestive enzymes, and a healthy gluten-free, casein-free, soy-free (HGCSF) diet.
There was a significant improvement in nonverbal intellectual ability in the treatment group compared to the non-treatment group (+6.7 ± 11 IQ points vs. −0.6 ± 11 IQ points, p = 0.009) based on a blinded clinical assessment. Based on semi-blinded assessment, the treatment group, compared to the non-treatment group, had significantly greater improvement in autism symptoms and developmental age.
The treatment group had significantly greater increases in EPA, DHA, carnitine, and vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, B12, folic acid, and Coenzyme Q10. The positive results of this study suggest that a comprehensive nutritional and dietary intervention is effective at improving nutritional status, non-verbal IQ, autism symptoms, and other symptoms in most individuals with ASD. Parents reported that the vitamin/mineral supplements, essential fatty acids, and HGCSF diet were the most beneficial.
Autism Assessment
If you have any concerns about your child's development you are probably right. Research shows that parents are extremely accurate at assessing their child. Trust yourself and take action, every day counts. Watch the videos below showing differences in children with autism and neurotypical children at a young age.
There are long wait times for autism assessments, the earlier you can get on the list the better. I can also help if you have concerns and can get your child started on homeopathic and nutritional interventions sooner.
There are long wait times for autism assessments, the earlier you can get on the list the better. I can also help if you have concerns and can get your child started on homeopathic and nutritional interventions sooner.
Early Signs of Autism Video Tutorial - Kennedy Krieger Institute
Autism Assessment Tools
If you are concerned about your child you could also try using these questionnaires to give you more insights:
Chat Screening Tool
MChat-R online
ATEC questionnnaire
Chat Screening Tool
MChat-R online
ATEC questionnnaire
Recovery or Improvement
The younger the child, the faster and more complete any recovery or improvement, with any method of treatment. In my experience the best results are obtained with intensive, multi-disciplinary approaches, including behavioural interventions, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, diet and lifestyle changes and homeopathy.
If your child is less than three years old chances of a full recovery may be quite good in my experience. If the child is older than four he or she may also still recover, but more likely at a slower pace. Some children won't be able to fully recover, however, quality of life can usually be improved and co-morbitities addressed, for example tantrums, GI function and sleep may improve, leading to better quality of life.
If your child is less than three years old chances of a full recovery may be quite good in my experience. If the child is older than four he or she may also still recover, but more likely at a slower pace. Some children won't be able to fully recover, however, quality of life can usually be improved and co-morbitities addressed, for example tantrums, GI function and sleep may improve, leading to better quality of life.
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A Quick Fix - Not!Due to the inherent complexity of this condition there unfortunately is no quick fix.
Treatment with homeopathy and other natural methods takes time and commitment. Your child's body brain and immune system will need time to adjust and heal. This is no different than with other types of intervention such as ABA. Healing is an ongoing process. Plan on treatment for 1-3 years, depending on the age of the child. Follow-up visits are more frequent during the first few months and later only every 3-6 months. |
What to Expect
Assessment involves a very detailed case taking. I usually meet with parent and child for the first visit of one hour and sometimes with the parents only for another 30-45 minutes to gather more information if needed. I also review charts, baby photos, medication records, diet intakes, reports from other professionals and samples of art and handwriting and also take a detailed family history.
I may or may not recommend further testing. Sometimes stool testing, allergy testing, gluten sensitivity testing, MTHFR testing or a hair mineral analysis can be very useful. I don't find that extensive testing is all that helpful and it can be very costly.
A treatment plan is usually designed after the first or second visit. I then consult with the family every two to four weeks for about 15-30 minutes for the first three to four months, then less often as the child improves.
I may or may not recommend further testing. Sometimes stool testing, allergy testing, gluten sensitivity testing, MTHFR testing or a hair mineral analysis can be very useful. I don't find that extensive testing is all that helpful and it can be very costly.
A treatment plan is usually designed after the first or second visit. I then consult with the family every two to four weeks for about 15-30 minutes for the first three to four months, then less often as the child improves.
Some cases from my practice
The Case of the Smoking Gun |
Carly's Autism Journey
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Owen's Autism Journey |