Autism is a neuro-biological disorder whereby children do not communicate or respond in the same manner as the general population. The incidence of autism is four to five times higher in boys than in girls.  This is because in the first several years of childhood, the nervous system develops more slowly in boys than girls.  ASD can often be reliably detected by the age of 3 years, and in many cases as early as 18 months.  Studies suggest that many children eventually may be accurately identified by the age of 1 year, or even younger.  (Powers MD. What is Autism? In: Power MD, ed. Children with Autism: A Parent’s Guide, 2nd Ed. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2000, 28.)

Autistic children have developmental delays that impair social interactions, impair communications (lack of verbal and non-verbal, and lack of eye contact), reflect speech difficulties and retard social interactions. These children also enter into repetitive and stereotypical patterns of behavior (fixations) and appear to have no fear of societal definitions of danger.

The ability to identify self from non-self is low (critical for healthy immune response). The children have low frustration tolerance, poor comprehension of communications to them, exhibit poor skin color, reveal little awareness of their external surroundings, and have a low interest level in their interactions with the world outside of themselves. Sleep disturbances are common with early morning arousal characteristic.  Seizures and other co-existing nervous system and digestive system imbalances are also common.  Immune dysfunction and chronic viral infections are common and characteristic.

Some children with ASD often respond to subtle energy interventions and communications, such as hands-on-healing (Reiki), cranio-sacral therapies, homeopathy and biofeedback. Some children respond very well to nutritional interventions/restrictions and behavioral education.  We believe that given the underlying role growth factors play in all of the above, homeopathic growth factors are a crucial component to understand and use.