Autism Spectrum Disorders

Ayurvedic concept of Autism

It can be corelated as the concept of Sahaja Unmadam. The causes for a disease according to ayurveda are three fold. They include

• Improper contact of the senses with their objects.
• Improper functioning of the mental faculties, in turn leading to execution of inappropriate actions.
• Time

The genetic encoding which is transmitted from generations is subjected to various changes due to food, activities and environment during each generation. These are in turn taken up by the next generation. When this form of modified genetic material becomes pathological, the bija (gamete) become deranged. These deranged bija is responsible for the basic genetic susceptibility to develop the features of unmadam.

Ayurveda believes that the food and activities of the pregnant mother, her mental status plays an important role for the development of health and disease both physical and mental in the child. Therefore , the intra uterine experiences - physiological, psychological and pathological - contribute to the wellness or otherwise of the child.

Features

• Mano Vibhrama - Mental confusion-total or partial loss of sensory perception.
• Buddhi Vibhrama- impaired intelligence-partially affected could be abnormal.
• Samnjanjana Vibhrama-Impaired consciousness seen as being lost in their own world, barring one or more sensory stimuli.
• Smriti Vibhrama- Impairment of memory.
• Bhakti Vibhrama- loss of desire, loss of innate willing to love and communicate with others.
• SÄ«la Vibhrama-inappropriate manners and behaviors, repeated behavior and restricted interest, adherence to specific rigid routines.
• Chestā Vibhrama- Abnormal activities, motor clumsiness and motor strenotypics which are inappropriate and compulsive.
• AÄ‹ara Vibhrama- Loss of learned skills, impaired socialization skills, inability to follow commands, etc.

Management

According to ayurveda the management of any condition can be detailed under three categories

• Yuktivyapasraya - Rational prescription of drugs, therapies, food and activities.
• Sathvavajaya - Methods to organize and regain impaired mental faculties.
• Daivavyapasraya -Rites and rituals to ward off the unseen evil forces and in turn.

Managing the Mind

Autism requires therapies which act at the physical, mental and spiritual planes. The effective deployment of these therapies will ensure a better outcome for the child.

Classical Ayurvedic treatment applicable in the management of ASD with different dosha predominance include

Snehana (Internal administration of medicated ghee)

The drugs known to have psychotropic effects are processed in lipid base to ensure the transportation of active ingredients across the blood brain barrier to generate, alleviate and protect brain.

Siropichu (Application of medicated oil on head)

Application of oil on head is said to nourish the sense organs since four sense organs and the centers of all of them lodge in the head. Continuous application of medicated oil at the anterior frontanel region will ensure the diffusion of active ingredients through capillaries of the scalp and into the superior sugital sinus and thereby into CSF.

Other treatments like Mrudu Sneha Sodhana, miruha and Snehavsasti, Nasya and Anjana etc can be administered according to patients prakriti.

Illom Concept of Autism treatment

In addition to all these Ayurvedic concepts ’Illom’ has developed its own treatment protocol for treating these kind of cases which is giving a good prognosis also.

Our treatment protocol includes :

• Ayurvedic treatments and Ayurvedic internal medicines which boost brain function by crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier.
• Train the kid as well as parents about the importance of quality, quantity and timing of food.
• The importance of gut metabolism and modes to regulate it.
• Barefoot walking, Nature walk etc programs to have more contact with nature and “Be with the nature” concept.