Ayurvedic Remedies For Autism
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological developmental disability that hampers normal brain development,affecting communication, social interaction, cognition, and behavior. People with ASD often demonstrate restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped interests or patterns of behavior.
ASD is found in individuals around the world, regardless of race, culture, or economic background. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, autism does occur more often in boys than in girls, with a 4 to 1 male-to-female ratio.
The CDC estimated in 2014 that nearly 1 in 59 children have been identified with ASD.
Different Types of Autism
The fifth and most recent edition of the DSM was released in 2013. The DSM-5 currently recognizes five different ASD subtypes, or specifiers. They are:
- with or without accompanying language impairment
- With or without accompanying intellectual impairment
- Associated with a known medical or genetic condition or environmental factor
- Associated with another neurodevelopmental, mental, or behavioral disorder with catatonia
What Causes Autism?
The proper reason of Autism spectrum disorder is unknown. The most current research demonstrates some cause of Asd:
- Genetic Mutations
- Having an immediate family member with autism
- Children who have a sibling with ASD are at a higher risk of also having ASD.
- Fragile X syndrome and other genetic disorders
- Low birth weight
- Metabolic imbalances
- Exposure to heavy metals and environmental toxins
- Hhistory of viral infections
- Fetal exposure to the medications valproic acid (Depakene) or thalidomide (Thalomid)
Signs and Symptoms of ASD
Social, Emotional, and Communication skills are the main syntom of ASD. Signs of ASD begin during early childhood and typically last throughout a person’s life.
People with ASD might:
- Making little or inconsistent eye contact
- Not look at objects when another person points at them
- Have trouble adapting when a routine changes
- Tending not to look at or listen to people
- Having difficulties with the back and forth of conversation
- Having facial expressions, movements, and gestures that do not match what is being said
- Repeat actions over and over again
- Getting upset by slight changes in a routine
Autism in Ayurveda
In Ayurveda all childhood autism cases come under the category of either Vatakaphajaunmada or Vatapaittikaunmada. A case series was developed with 10 cases having the following characteristics. The diagnosis of all the cases was done with Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the treatment outcome was measured by Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). Clinical features of Unmada were also considered for the diagnosis and assessment of all the cases. The Ayurvedic treatment protocols for the cases selected were according to Dosha predominance of the condition at that time. This points towards the necessity of mainstreaming Ayurvedic treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
