Autism and ADHD in a Child of 3 Years

A three year old child was brought to us by his mother. He was already diagnosed early with Autism (Homeopathy for Autism) and ADHD (Homeopathy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). The child did not speak sentences and repeated a few words. The mother complained of hyperactivity. He doesn’t sit in the school class. He just wants to roam around the whole time. After complaints from school on lack of speech and hyperactivity the child was taken to the psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment. The mother did not want to start allopathic medicines so came for homeopathic treatment.

Case history

The boy is very restless, doesn’t sit at one place in class. He cannot concentrate on studies. His IQ level is very good. He is very stubborn, demands things. If they are not given to him, then he keeps crying until he gets them. If he is angry then he will not let his mother go anywhere. He always needs her attention, and if not given, he throws temper tantrums. He keeps on babbling. He cannot say words which are clear. He cannot frame sentences. He cannot speak much, only monosyllables like papa, dada, and mama. He doesn’t make eye contact with anybody.

He also complains of constipation and frequent URTI. The constipation is since birth and he is currently on a gluten free diet.

He likes to dance; on peppy songs. He easily remembers the steps. He likes to jump. He doesn’t play with other kids but hits them. He loves moving objects like cars, trains. He plays with toys and arranges them in a linear position. He studies well. He is very violent, and hits. He used to pull his mother’s hair in anger. He likes to see flowing water. Whenever he is in motion he feels relieved. He always wants to play hide and seek with people. He would go hide behind furniture or his mother when he meets other people. He is very sensitive to loud noise and he gets startled. If someone touches him, hugs him or kisses him, he doesn’t respond normally but gets hyper responsive to it. He doesn’t want to go near that person. He doesn’t understand how to care, love his surrounding family members. He never plays with his sister. Even if she tries to, he will not listen to her. He sleeps less and wakes

up irritated in morning. In school, the teacher complains that he doesn’t finish his work. He cannot sit at one place and write numbers from 1 to 10. He doesn’t concentrate.

Physical generals:

Av: fruits

Cr: lemon juice, orange juice. Milk.

Mother’s history during Pregnancy.  No complaints. It was LSCS due to previous delivery.

Reportorial totality:

1. Restlessness in children.
2. Music ameliorates
3. Patient wants to arrange toys in linear position.
4. Hair pulls, Anger in.
5. Hyperactivity.

Differential diagnosis of Remedy:

1. Belladonna
2. Tarantula
3. Tuberculinum

Analysis of case:

The patient is very restless, hyperactive, and destructive. He needs change constantly. There is constant effort to move from that situation. So we understand the struggle.

He is sensitive to music. Trifles irritate him.  Worse on awakening. Het has fits of violent temper; wants to fight; throws anything at anyone even without cause. Dissatisfied; always wants a change, wants to travel; does not want to remain in one place long, His reactions are very violent, sudden and he tries to run or go mad with this. He becomes destructive and troes to pull others’ hair. He is very sensitive.

The case represents a state of tubercular miasm. No issues of sensitivity and survival issues or structure related issues.

Remedy selected:

Tuberculinum 10m once a day.

After the remedy:

Dr. Rajan Sankaran has mentioned in his book Soul of remedies, that the industriousness and busy, restlessness and desire for air, bring Tarantula very close to the tubercular miasm. Tarantula is very similar to Tuberculinum its manifestation. Sometimes it’s difficult to differentiate.

Posology :

An article in American Journal of Homeopathy stated that Tuberculinum in ascending doses on consecutive days gives better results when it is the indicated remedy. (Reference Borland Children, Tuberculinum)

Considering this and the indication, he was given medicines in ascending order of the potencies. Tuberculinum started with 6c to cm daily for 2 days consecutively.

Follow up

Other Alternative therapies

1. Patient was advised to continue counseling sessions in school for his overall behavior.
2. Patient was regularly attending occupational therapy sessions.

Conclusion

1. After 1 and half years of treatment the patient improved with regards to his hyperactivity, restlessness. His anger is under control. He doesn’t hit others.
2. His senses started improving; he started feeling the soothing emotions. He started responding when somebody touches him and calls.
3. He started playing with his sister and responding to her. If mother or sister cries he comes near and tries to communicate in words.
4. His eye contact has improved. He started mixing with kids in school.
5. His constipation completed resolved.
6. His sleep has improved; he doesn’t get up with irritation.
7. School teachers are giving good feedback about his behavior, he doesn’t run as much as he used to. Tries to complete the task or game in class.
8. As of this date the patient continues to be on homeopathy treatment, and is not taking any other psychiatric medicines. His acute conditions like URTI, fever, and constipation are treated with homeopathy.
9. He continues to be in regular school and coping well.

Report from the school