Autism Care with Homeopathy
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex, heterogeneous condition with skyrocketing incidence.
ASD is increasingly being understood as caused by an interplay of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Homeopathy can help by addressing the many factors involved in the development of autism, including inherited predispositions, stresses and traumas during pregnancy, labour and delivery and adverse events from medications, vaccines, environmental chemicals and radiation.
Homeopathic remedies are given for the unique symptoms of the child as well as their unique history, not the condition.
In virtually all cases many different factors conspire, including inborn predispositions, stresses during pregnancy and delivery and toxic exposures in early life.
ASD is increasingly being understood as caused by an interplay of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Homeopathy can help by addressing the many factors involved in the development of autism, including inherited predispositions, stresses and traumas during pregnancy, labour and delivery and adverse events from medications, vaccines, environmental chemicals and radiation.
Homeopathic remedies are given for the unique symptoms of the child as well as their unique history, not the condition.
In virtually all cases many different factors conspire, including inborn predispositions, stresses during pregnancy and delivery and toxic exposures in early life.
Predispositions
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.
In clinical practice I see a lot of children on the spectrum who have a family history of tuberculosis. It may be possible that this family history could create epigenetic changes which may make subsequent generations more vulnerable to infections, allergic reactions and adverse reactions to medications and vaccines. Homeopathy offers wonderful ways to help address these inherited weaknesses, thereby strengthening the child overall, which stimulates healing naturally.
In clinical practice I see a lot of children on the spectrum who have a family history of tuberculosis. It may be possible that this family history could create epigenetic changes which may make subsequent generations more vulnerable to infections, allergic reactions and adverse reactions to medications and vaccines. Homeopathy offers wonderful ways to help address these inherited weaknesses, thereby strengthening the child overall, which stimulates healing naturally.
Autism and Emotional Stress and Trauma during Pregnancy, Labour and Delivery
I have seen several hundred cases of children with autism and related conditions now. Almost without exception, their mothers suffered intense emotional shocks or traumas during the pregnancy and/or labour and delivery. I believe that these shocks affect the baby, making it more vulnerable to adverse events, including infections, medications and vaccines among others.
Homeopathy offers many remedies to help with adverse events of emotional shocks. I have seen such remedies be helpful for children on the spectrum time and time again.
Homeopathy offers many remedies to help with adverse events of emotional shocks. I have seen such remedies be helpful for children on the spectrum time and time again.
Exposure to Toxins
The modern-day 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 is uniquely positioned to help children detoxify and restore from such exposures with remedies made from suspected substances. For example, a child who has not been well after anaethesia or antibiotics may improve when taking a homeopathic remedy made from these substances.
Concerns addressed
- 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
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 homeopathy as well as behavioural interventions, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, diet and lifestyle changes.
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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Successful Cases
You can familiarize yourself with my approach by reading some of my succesfull cases here:
The Case of the Smoking GunA 15-months-old boy suddenly develops symptoms of autism three months after receiving his MMR and Varicella vaccines. Eruptions around the injection sites left a vapour trail to the vaccines. He improves with a homeopathic and nutritional protocol. More...
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Homeopathy Helps a Girl with Autism and Severe Feeding ProblemsA 3-year-old girl with autism who had severe feeding problems and was also a dangerous climber, improves dramatically with homeopathic and nutritional care.
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Owen's Autism JourneyA child who was never vaccinated develops autism, possibly from antibiotic use. He greatly improves with a homeopathic remedy called polyantibioticum, a remedy popularized by the Dutch MD and homeopath Tinus Smits.
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Homeopathic Management of a Complicated Case of Autism, OCD, Aggression and Speech DelayA young boy with autism, OCD, aggression, speech delay and sleep problems improves under careful homeopathic management with many different remedies over several months.
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A Child with Autism Helped with HomeopathyA ten-year-old boy on the autism spectrum not only dramatically improves behaviourally and socially with homeopathy, but also becomes a math whiz, even though a year earlier his teachers declared that he would never be able to do math.
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A Child with Speech Regression and DelayA toddler loses his speech and becomes withdrawn after all required vaccines for his first year are given at once. Homeopathy helps to restore his speech and sociability.
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Video: 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
Toxicology is a branch of medical biology concerned with the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on the body. Homotoxicology is essentially an extension of this concept, where toxic substances are seen to disrupt normal biological function which results in the manifestation of symptoms and signs, and ultimately disease. It is the study of the influence of toxic substances on humans, and the removal of these toxins to regain natural regulation. According to the concepts of homotoxicology, human disease is the result of toxins which originate either from overproduction within the body, or from the environment in which we are exposed.
Heinrich Reckeweg
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Homotoxicology was developed by Dr Hans Reckeweg, and is strongly linked with but not identical to homeopathy. It was born out of the desire of Dr Reckeweg to identify and develop a bridge between conventional medical science and homeopathy.
Heinrich Reckeweg (1877-1944) 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. |
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. |
Recovery or Improvement
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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 |