Homeopathy: By Far The Safest Alternative to Treat Autism Spectrum Children
An article posted on the autism website, Thinking Mom’s Revolution, entitled “The Thompson Transcripts” has revealed that a senior epidemiologist and whistleblower from the CDC (Center for Disease Control), Dr. William Thompson, had admitted omitting “statistically significant information” from a 2004 study in the journal Pediatrics that looked at the timing of the MMR vaccine and autism. The study showed that African-American boys if they had received the MMR vaccine before 36 months of age had an increased risk of autism. This alarming information was reputedly suppressed by the CDC. A media campaign that discredited Dr. Thompson and his revelations ensued. We recommend reading the post on Thinking Mom’s Revolution: The Thompson Transcripts: Shocking Revelations by the CDC Whistleblower, posted on August 4, 2015. We have recognized a link in our autism spectrum patients between the MMR vaccine and autism for more than 15 years. It’s not true for every autistic patient, for sure, but there is a link that would be hard to ignore after hearing so many reports from parents of the temporal relationship between their child having a febrile reaction and brain cry after the vaccine and a rapid descent into the hell of a life dealing with autism for both the child and the parents. Fortunately, we have been able many of these children with homeopathic treatment continued consistently over months and sometimes years. (Also see Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s book “Thimerosol, Let the Science Speak.” with Mark Hyman, M.D. and Martha R. Herbert, M.D., Ph.D.)
Another disturbing article appeared in the New York Times 12/11/16, entitled “Still in a Crib, Yet Being Given Antipsychotics,” focuses on the off-label prescribing of powerful antipsychotic drugs to babies and toddlers who exhibit violent or withdrawn behavior, despite no published research into their effectiveness or potential risks to young children. According to the article, nearly 20,000 prescriptions of Risperdone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), and other antipsychotic medications were written for children age two or under, a nearly 50% increase from the previous year. For the same age group, fluoxetine (Prozac) was prescribed nearly 83,000 times to small children, a 23 percent increase over the previous year. Some experts in child psychiatry and neurology had never heard of children younger than three years old receiving such medication. Such an increase in off-label prescribing is troubling and demands investigation. After more than 30 years experience treating children, we recommend homeopathy instead as a safe and effective alternative to drugging small children with off-label and potentially toxic drugs.
A third noteworthy article we read recently was about elderly individuals who were actually autistic, but were misdiagnosed with other psychiatric conditions at a time in the ‘50s and ‘60s when autism was virtually unknown in the psychiatric community. Autism’s Lost Generation, by Jessica Wright, which appeared in the Atlantic on 12/10/15, chronicles the work of University of Pennsylvania professor of psychiatry and pediatrics, David Mandell, and his attempt to unearth the records of patients who were misdiagnosed, and so mistreated for other psychiatric conditions rather than autism. This research allowed a number of patients who were still alive to get off inappropriate psychiatric medications, and receive appropriate help for their actual condition.
Prior to and since our publication of A Drug-Free Approach to Asperger Syndrome and Autism in 2006, we have had the privilege to treat many cases of children with autism and Asperger syndrome using homeopathy. We recommend homeopathic medicine to parents seeking an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs. It has been immensely rewarding to assist in and witness, the transformation of these children on the autism spectrum using safe and natural homeopathic medicines. Here we present a case of a child diagnosed with Asperger and ADHD to demonstrate the effectiveness of the homeopathic approach to improving the lives of these patients, old and young.
Eli: Bright, Distractible Yet Hyper-Focused
Eli, aged eight, was an active, distractible child, with difficulty accomplishing his work at school. He was not able to finish anything or stay on task. It was hard for him to focus his attention because he found everything to be equally interesting. It was difficult for Eli to figure out when other kids were listening to him and when they were bored, since he was challenged to read social cues. This difficulty, a common trait in Asperger Syndrome, was a distinct liability for Eli socially. The child had only a few friends, insisted on playing by his own rules, ignoring the rules generally accepted by other children.
Eli would talk on and on about his favorite interests, such as science facts, space exploration and cars, oblivious to the glazed looks on the faces of those around him. He could not fathom why others became upset with him. When it came time to make a decision, he would hem and haw as an avoidance tactic.
Despite these social liabilities, his teachers loved Eli. He was sweet natured, quite bright, and creative. The boy was a joy to teach if the subject interested him, but otherwise he was bored at school. When he was engaged in the subject, Eli easily grasped complex information. When not interested, his lack of focus drove the teachers crazy.
On a bad day, Eli was totally unable to focus or to answer questions. It was even worse if he had stayed up late the previous night. If Eli’s mind were set on a particular event, such as a school concert, and it failed to happen, the rest of the day did not go well. Even a small disappointment could ruin rest of his day, such as when his mom accidentally sucked up his favorite feather with the vacuum. The remainder of the day was disastrous.
Physically uncoordinated and unaware of his body in space, the youngster could step on those next to him or jab them in the ribs while sitting on their laps. How ever he was able to ride a bicycle.
Eli shared with us that his favorite subject was computer math games. He was also fascinated by legos. Unusually curious during our interaction, Eli bombarded us with questions. “I’m doing rocket science in my brain” the child explained. Eli was eager to show us the exoskeleton wing covers of his ladybug key ring. He mentioned his love for sweets (sugar-free was what his parents allowed) and rotisserie chicken with the skin. Eli showed us one place on his skin that itched.
A Common Remedy for a Quirky Kid
We prescribed probably the most common homeopathic remedy for Eli: Sulphur {made from the element, sulfur). We gave him a single dose in a 1M potency. It is very helpful for children who are intellectual, egotistical, and somewhat pedantic, especially in Asperger cases. The youngsters love to acquire knowledge and, then, to share their newly found wisdom freely with those around them. it, They’re smart, learn easily and quickly, and are naturals at performing mechanical tasks. Like Eli, they are fascinated by science and, in general, by how things work. These individuals have a lazy, messy streak, can be know-it-alls, bossy, and their attention tends to wander. Sulphur patients often crave sweets and spicy foods, tend to be warm blooded, and can be prone to skin or digestive complaints.
When In Sweden, Do As The Swedes
This is a very typical case of Asperger syndrome with aspects of ADHD that most homeopaths should be able to solve easily and successfully. Our readers may be surprise because we often write about highly unusual cases and remedies There is a reason.
We recently presented this case, along with three others, near Stockholm, Sweden as part of a seminar honoring the 100th anniversary of the Swedish homeopathic medical society. As we wrote in our last column, homeopathic practice in Sweden has been limited since 1961. It is illegal for homeopaths to treat children below the age of eight years, pregnant women, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, HIV and infectious diseases. Pregnant women are prohibited from using any natural therapies. Physician homeopaths can recommend homeopathic medicines since 2011, but a 2013 ruling limited licensed medical professionals to patient-initiated, last-resort treatments.
There is only a limited availability of legal homeopathic medicines, which include only the most commonly used, or polychrest (45 or so most commonly prescribed remedies according to the old homeopathic literature). In Sweden, Sulphur is one of 109 permitted homeopathic medicines, as compared to modern full-scope homeopathic practice, which includes an ever-expanding pharmacopeia of more than 3500 homeopathic medicines. Because of these limitations, Bob chose to present two cases that fell within those limits, of Sulphur and Nux vomica. Judyth, one the other hand, opted to challenge those attending with two captivating cases of Lac Leoninum (lion’s milk) and Falco peregrinus (peregrine falcon). We sincerely hope that the regulations regarding homeopathy in Sweden and other E.U. countries will soon be relaxed, to the benefit of patients and practitioners.
Six Weeks After Beginning Homeopathy
Both Eli’s teacher and school bus driver reported a behavioral improvement. The child was accomplishing more done at school and seemed less distractible. He easily learned to ride his bike on sandbags without the kind of frustration or anger that he had exhibited previously. The teacher was impressed that Eli could finish assignments and remain on task. Perhaps the biggest change was that the child spent much less time elaborating on his special interests.
During our conversation Eli answered questions appropriately, without interrupting, and we enjoyed some normal conversational interchanges. He also responded well without interrupting others. Social interactions had improved markedly, Eli was getting along better with other kids, and was even taking into account their needs. There were fewer screaming meltdowns, to the great relief of his mom. We gave Eli a second dose of Sulphur 1M.
Twelve-Week Follow-Up
Concentration and focus had further improved. Eli was more aware of other people, better at meeting and greeting, and considerably less self-absorbed. Eye contact and expressions of tenderness were far better. Eli’s mom commented that he was much more independent. The youngster was more agile and sure on his feet, even to the point of learning basic rock climbing.
Eli’s behavior relapsed after an exposure to Lysol at a neighbor’s. Homeopaths see this phenomenon with some frequency in patients given single, high-potency doses of remedies after exposure to camphor, menthol, tea tree, or eucalyptus. Meltdowns returned and Eli wasn’t sleeping well. We prescribed two doses of Sulphur 1M, one to take and the other to hold for the future.
Four Months
Reading and math skills improved steadily, as did eye contact. Now in third grade, had his best start to a school year he had ever had, and he was now in 3rd grade. He was able to stay all day in the normal classroom for the first time. His eye contact was improved. Eli’s mom marveled at his thoughtfulness. Eli shared with us: “Sometimes I think like a computer. I get a question in my brain, then I forget what I was thinking. The only thing I don’t understand is subtraction.” We prescribed a dose of Sulphur 10M to hold in case he needed it later
Seven Months
Eli’s mom had given him the Sulphur 10M one month earlier. He was now crying and blaming others quite a bit less. If he had a meltdown, which was milder, half as frequent, and much more brief. Eli related better socially, and even asked to invite kids to come over and play. Reaching out to build a friendship was a remarkable stride. When Eli went to another Asperger boy’s house, the other mother noticed a huge difference. Another milestone was Eli’s having handled a Christmas party of a hundred people without becoming upset, something he never could have handled before. His mom commented again about Eli’s increased expressions of tenderness as well, evidenced by sweetly kissing the end of mom’s thumb.
Fourteen Months
Eli was now able to tell his mom when he needed another dose of the Sulphur 10M. This had happened twice in the previous six months. He experienced brief flu-like symptoms whenever he needed a dose. Eli now had four friends. He was able to work independently and follow multi-step directions at school. He had even stood up to an aide who limited his free time unjustly, and kicked a boy who bullied him at school. Overall, he was far less self-absorbed and exhibited much more kindness and generosity to others and frequently commented, “I love you.”
Eli told us quite clearly, “I’m like an active volcano. When something happens I don’t really like, I erupt. I erupt, then stop, quick fast little eruptions.” The most dangerous is the high-powered explosion when people are threatening me. Kapow! Choo!” How fascinating it is that volcanoes are one of the major sources of sulfur in the world! We were able to witness this firsthand in Iceland on the way to the Swedish conference.
Five Years
Eli has continued to do remarkably, well on Sulphur in ascending potencies, needing a dose every two to six months. Eye contact and social interaction have drastically improved, as have his conversational skills. He has been homeschooled, can get up early in the morning to concentrate on his homework, and continues to progress in all areas. In one calendar year he has been able to catch up, and to do the work of three grades in order to bring him up to his age-appropriate level.
Eli last told us, “I’m doing great. I’ve been reading. I’ve got math down, really down. Now I’m working on verbs”. What a dramatic change in this young man thanks to the gentle yet powerful effects of homeopathy!
Published with Permission of The Townsend Letter for Doctors.
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