The ABC Homeopathy Forum
autistic boy needs help
Hello,I am new to this forum and the homeopathic approach in general. I am interested in finding some thing to help my son who is mildly autistic but very bright and of course adorable. We've tried several different approaches with minor successes. Here is a list of all the things i can think of that might help a knowlegable person make a suggestion. If there is more information needed please let me know. And my thanks to any and all who put some thought into my son's well being.
Mike
6 1/2 years old
weight 63 lbs
height 48 inches
current medication is risperdal (this medication scares me to death but has reduced some aggressive behaviors)
-loves numbers and math
-reads VERY well
-favorite food "Chex Mix"
-loves race cars, cars and construstruction vehicles
-physically uncoordinated
-runs like he's made of soft rubber
-poor balance
-diagnosed with hypotonia or low muscle tone
-sometimes has difficulty putting words together but speaks with perfect articulation
-has attention problems
-easily distracted
-has phases where he is interested in speaking about blood and heart when upset "my heart stopped", "i want to take your blood out"
-very affectionate and likes to be held
-responds very well to verbal praise
-Bangged head as a toddler
-Now occasionally bangs head with fist when upset or other minor self injurous behavior
-complains of occasional headaches and indicates the same area he bangs when upset (front center of forehead)
-when he gets hurt he bangs or slaps the area he has hurt he does not rub it
-does not like soda or fizzie drinks
-has alot of anxiety "what happens if..."
-Always wants other children around but usually plays near them rather than with them
-Likes to poop with shower running
-Like to take a shower not a bath
-always dreams of racing or cars
-seems to have an excellent memory but sometimes can't remember what happened that day
-remembers facts much better than events; yesterday for instance he remembered a play date last year and the colors and appearance of a toy at a friends house but couldn't put into words or didn't remember much of what happened at school a few hours ago
-fatigues easily (maybe a result of medication)
-mild fear of heights and falling
-likes water and swimming in pool or ocean
-loves racing games on computer and is driving battery operated toy vehicles (he's actually a very good driver)
-can at times be very oppositional
-very poor conversational skills but can talk forever about a topic he likes (race cars or mini-vans)
-still sucks his thumb (right)
-has a weird trick of tucking his outer ear into his ear, he says his ears are cold. he especially does this with right ear by wrapping left hand over head and holding or tucking the ear in.
-whispers or recites to himself
-likes swing on playground
-very ticklish
-does not get physically sick often
-performs best when he has a list or schedule to follow.
-often asks questions he already knows the answer to
ymoke on 2004-09-15
This is just a forum. Assume posts are not from medical professionals.
going through list of symptomology what symptoms are new since starting use of__risperdal __? what symptoms and how been modified by use?
please describe thoroughly symptomology before risperdal and austism diagnosis---please explain story clearly and chronologically..
please describe thoroughly symptomology before risperdal and austism diagnosis---please explain story clearly and chronologically..
♡ John Stanton last decade
The only new symptom I think is related to the risperdal is his physical stamina and possible muscle discomfort. I first noticed within 2 weeks of starting the medication he was unable to ride his bike the way he used to and complained its too hard to ride the same path he was riding (and loving it) before starting the medication. Unfortunately he has difficulty expressing himself so its not always clear what the problem is.
The symptoms that were reduced were physical aggression toward himself and his aide assisting him in school. This was a very important benefit of the medication and the only reason we still give it to him (again this medication scares us quite a bit). Other symptoms impacted, although less noticeably were other negative emotions like intermittent anxiety and sadness.
Chronology
Pregnancy was normal
Labor was long and difficult eventually doctors assisted in removing him with him with what I think they called spoons. We were told he did not suffer any trauma.
He developed fairly typically at first with the exception that he always had trouble sleeping. In fact he did not sleep through the night until he was 3 years old. We were told this might be reflux (even though there was no vomiting) and tried giving him antacid but it did not work. One on the reasons for the suspicion of reflux was when he woke in the night for those 3 years he would be crying loudly as if in pain or terrified. We had better results with melatonin (3mg) but it was not consistent. Even now he may wake up once a week and call for Dad (occasionally mom) to come in but its never clear why, sometimes he asks for a drink but he usually just says something like Is a corvette stingray a convertible? and shortly goes back to sleep, especially if I lay with him for a bit.
He also did not crawl, he went directly to walking at about 15 months or so.
Through out the toddler years he would spin virtually any object he could get his hands on. Yogurt cups, toys, pencils, pens, you name it he would spin it on the floor and watch.
He loved watching the new computerized graphics set to classical music and the Baby Einstein videos and could easily sit through a 30-40 minute video mesmerized even at 12 months.
He started using a few words around 13-15 months but was never a babbler. He then regressed and we do have some suspicions that vaccinations may have had an impact. He stopped talking almost completely at around 18 months and did not continue until about 2 yrs old. But the speech now was reciting things from videos. I remember him walking up one night at 2 AM and reciting (not singing) the ABCs at 2 yrs old.
He was diagnosed with possible PDD-NOS (pervasive development disorder- not otherwise specified) at 18 months.
At age 2 we were told by early intervention he had a sensory integrations problem. It was also around this time we began to really notice problems like his inability to make eye contact, tantrums that seemed excessive (banging his head VERY hard against the floor or door and being unable to calm down and stop crying when upset).
We began giving him ABA therapy at age 2 ½ years. This therapy is a behavioral technique based on repetition and rewards. For instance hold up a ball and say ball give it to the child and have them try to repeat. Reward success with treats, hugs, a preferred toy or other object they child will enjoy. This therapy is very intensive and he was getting varying degrees of it (from 15 up to 30 hours a week) through the age of 6. Fortunately he responded well to this approach and began speaking again (more than just reciting). He also had better overall communication skills and could make his wants known easier. There were other improvements as well, although some of them may have also been due to maturing but it seems this method had the greatest impact on improving his difficulties. He was taught to have more patience and wait for a toy, he also learned to control his head banging to a degree.
He did suck his thumb for several months around the age of 30 months, he stopped for almost a year and again began around age 4. It was at this time he began "tucking in his ear" as well.
One strange thing is he was almost never physically ill. Fevers were rare as was vomiting. Even though he was very uncoordinated he never had any significant injuries.
At first he never cared about having other children around but we began to introduce other children into our therapy, trying to teach him how to interact. He quickly began to enjoy having other kids around even though he did more parallel playing than interacting with them. But eventually he was able to do more interaction although hes still limited in that respect. However, he greatly desired to have other children around (hes an only child) and is constantly asking Whos coming?.
At age 3 ½ he began attending nursery school with the assistance of an aide. This is when it became apparent that his tantrums would need to be addressed. He began not only trying to injure himself but also the aide there to help. At age 4 he began taking the risperdal and this greatly reduced the severity of the tantrums. The medication seemed to level out his emotional problems when upset or angry and allowed us to begin teaching him other ways of dealing with his frustration.
The most significant symptoms I think need to be addressed are his problems communicating. It often seems like he knows what he wants to say but cannot find to the words to express his thoughts and sometimes when he does the words get a little jumbled. That must be VERY frustrating and Im sure that frustration has an impact on his tantrums and other feelings. But also his negative emotions anger, anxiety, sadness need to be addressed even though the risperdal has had some impact on them.
The symptoms that were reduced were physical aggression toward himself and his aide assisting him in school. This was a very important benefit of the medication and the only reason we still give it to him (again this medication scares us quite a bit). Other symptoms impacted, although less noticeably were other negative emotions like intermittent anxiety and sadness.
Chronology
Pregnancy was normal
Labor was long and difficult eventually doctors assisted in removing him with him with what I think they called spoons. We were told he did not suffer any trauma.
He developed fairly typically at first with the exception that he always had trouble sleeping. In fact he did not sleep through the night until he was 3 years old. We were told this might be reflux (even though there was no vomiting) and tried giving him antacid but it did not work. One on the reasons for the suspicion of reflux was when he woke in the night for those 3 years he would be crying loudly as if in pain or terrified. We had better results with melatonin (3mg) but it was not consistent. Even now he may wake up once a week and call for Dad (occasionally mom) to come in but its never clear why, sometimes he asks for a drink but he usually just says something like Is a corvette stingray a convertible? and shortly goes back to sleep, especially if I lay with him for a bit.
He also did not crawl, he went directly to walking at about 15 months or so.
Through out the toddler years he would spin virtually any object he could get his hands on. Yogurt cups, toys, pencils, pens, you name it he would spin it on the floor and watch.
He loved watching the new computerized graphics set to classical music and the Baby Einstein videos and could easily sit through a 30-40 minute video mesmerized even at 12 months.
He started using a few words around 13-15 months but was never a babbler. He then regressed and we do have some suspicions that vaccinations may have had an impact. He stopped talking almost completely at around 18 months and did not continue until about 2 yrs old. But the speech now was reciting things from videos. I remember him walking up one night at 2 AM and reciting (not singing) the ABCs at 2 yrs old.
He was diagnosed with possible PDD-NOS (pervasive development disorder- not otherwise specified) at 18 months.
At age 2 we were told by early intervention he had a sensory integrations problem. It was also around this time we began to really notice problems like his inability to make eye contact, tantrums that seemed excessive (banging his head VERY hard against the floor or door and being unable to calm down and stop crying when upset).
We began giving him ABA therapy at age 2 ½ years. This therapy is a behavioral technique based on repetition and rewards. For instance hold up a ball and say ball give it to the child and have them try to repeat. Reward success with treats, hugs, a preferred toy or other object they child will enjoy. This therapy is very intensive and he was getting varying degrees of it (from 15 up to 30 hours a week) through the age of 6. Fortunately he responded well to this approach and began speaking again (more than just reciting). He also had better overall communication skills and could make his wants known easier. There were other improvements as well, although some of them may have also been due to maturing but it seems this method had the greatest impact on improving his difficulties. He was taught to have more patience and wait for a toy, he also learned to control his head banging to a degree.
He did suck his thumb for several months around the age of 30 months, he stopped for almost a year and again began around age 4. It was at this time he began "tucking in his ear" as well.
One strange thing is he was almost never physically ill. Fevers were rare as was vomiting. Even though he was very uncoordinated he never had any significant injuries.
At first he never cared about having other children around but we began to introduce other children into our therapy, trying to teach him how to interact. He quickly began to enjoy having other kids around even though he did more parallel playing than interacting with them. But eventually he was able to do more interaction although hes still limited in that respect. However, he greatly desired to have other children around (hes an only child) and is constantly asking Whos coming?.
At age 3 ½ he began attending nursery school with the assistance of an aide. This is when it became apparent that his tantrums would need to be addressed. He began not only trying to injure himself but also the aide there to help. At age 4 he began taking the risperdal and this greatly reduced the severity of the tantrums. The medication seemed to level out his emotional problems when upset or angry and allowed us to begin teaching him other ways of dealing with his frustration.
The most significant symptoms I think need to be addressed are his problems communicating. It often seems like he knows what he wants to say but cannot find to the words to express his thoughts and sometimes when he does the words get a little jumbled. That must be VERY frustrating and Im sure that frustration has an impact on his tantrums and other feelings. But also his negative emotions anger, anxiety, sadness need to be addressed even though the risperdal has had some impact on them.
ymoke last decade
Few months ago a mother of autistic daughter wrote-please read that thread.
I recommended her a book by Amy Lansky "Impossible cure:a promise of homeopathy" in which she describes how her autistic son was cured with homeopathy (it was carcinosin in LM potencies but of course your son may need something else).
Vaccinations seem to be the most common suspect.
Drugs with their horrible side effects are quite scary--maybe diet adjustments (more zinc in food? check this out) +natural therapies could one day replace that drug.
Could you please tell me more about him, like what he likes to eat/drink/what weather he likes (sunny?rainy? warm?cold?)
what is his tongue like?
I recommended her a book by Amy Lansky "Impossible cure:a promise of homeopathy" in which she describes how her autistic son was cured with homeopathy (it was carcinosin in LM potencies but of course your son may need something else).
Vaccinations seem to be the most common suspect.
Drugs with their horrible side effects are quite scary--maybe diet adjustments (more zinc in food? check this out) +natural therapies could one day replace that drug.
Could you please tell me more about him, like what he likes to eat/drink/what weather he likes (sunny?rainy? warm?cold?)
what is his tongue like?
Astra2012 last decade
I did read that post and I also read a summary of Amy Lansky's story, at rensance research dot com
I think there are a few similarities but many differences as well. For example, my son does not crave milk and only eats it on cereal. My son is also very uncoordinated where Max appeared to be more physically gifted.
As for food by FAR his favorite is "chex mix" which is a snack food with...
Corn Chex
Rye chips
Bagel chips
Windowpane pretzels
Wheat Chex
Round pretzels
Bread twists
He is not a very picky eater and will occasionally try anything. But he also likes ham and turkey with or without bread. He also likes Chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, fries, potato chips, pickles. He drinks mostly water or friut juice. No soda or milk (only in cereal).
His tongue appears normal.
He claims his favorite season is winter because if he's hot he can go play in the snow to cool off, this was news to me. He does not appear to care much about the weather except if it's raining it means indoor recess and no playground.
You can get soem additional info from the first part of my post on likes and dislikes.
Thanks to you any John for giving this some thought :)
I think there are a few similarities but many differences as well. For example, my son does not crave milk and only eats it on cereal. My son is also very uncoordinated where Max appeared to be more physically gifted.
As for food by FAR his favorite is "chex mix" which is a snack food with...
Corn Chex
Rye chips
Bagel chips
Windowpane pretzels
Wheat Chex
Round pretzels
Bread twists
He is not a very picky eater and will occasionally try anything. But he also likes ham and turkey with or without bread. He also likes Chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, fries, potato chips, pickles. He drinks mostly water or friut juice. No soda or milk (only in cereal).
His tongue appears normal.
He claims his favorite season is winter because if he's hot he can go play in the snow to cool off, this was news to me. He does not appear to care much about the weather except if it's raining it means indoor recess and no playground.
You can get soem additional info from the first part of my post on likes and dislikes.
Thanks to you any John for giving this some thought :)
ymoke last decade
I just looked up zinc metallicum and was reminded that he does seem to be a litte oversensitive to certain noises. I remember early on when we first began to think there might be something wrong he was very startled in church when everyone began clapping for some kids who had recieved their first communion, he cried quite a bit. Someone Yelling or shouting even when he expects it bothers him. He also seems to like white noise like the shower running we even turn on a white noise machine when he goes to bed, I think the whole house finds these noises soothing.
I hope this helps.
I hope this helps.
ymoke last decade
ANY information helps.
I was asking the other questions to know more about his thirst/appetite levels-I assume they are normal and it doesn't matter much if: cold/warm foods/drinks.
Seems also that his food preferences are not sweet and he is rather a warm person than chilly.
I wasn't talking about homeopathic zincum metallicum but zinc as a supplement- once I heard it was all one boy needed to stop being aggressive.
John is still your main advisor of course. But the more we will know about Mike the better.
I was asking the other questions to know more about his thirst/appetite levels-I assume they are normal and it doesn't matter much if: cold/warm foods/drinks.
Seems also that his food preferences are not sweet and he is rather a warm person than chilly.
I wasn't talking about homeopathic zincum metallicum but zinc as a supplement- once I heard it was all one boy needed to stop being aggressive.
John is still your main advisor of course. But the more we will know about Mike the better.
Astra2012 last decade
what exact vaccinations have had?when?
what skin conditions/ailments in mother's health history?when?how treated?
what skin conditions/ailments in child's health history?when?how treated?
what skin conditions/ailments in mother's health history?when?how treated?
what skin conditions/ailments in child's health history?when?how treated?
♡ John Stanton last decade
I think this is pretty accurate we follwed the recommended schedule for vaccinations.
DTP, Hib, IPV and PCV at 2,4 & 6 mos.
HepB #1-birth, #2-2mos, #3-15 mos.
MMR 15 mos.
Varicella 18 mos.
Rather than give him the recommended MMR at age 4 we had him tested for immunity and the antibodies were still present so we did not vaccinate again.
He has had no significant skin issues but he has had a facial rash which looks kind of like a mild case acne, very small bumps some with tiny white heads covering a patch on upper portion of both cheeks but more so on the right. This condition had come and gone over the last 3 years and is not currently visible. Our only teatment for this condition was to wash regularly with mild soap. Also some mild rashes on his backside.
All of us seem to suffer from some form of eczema. My wife uses moisturizer and also my son when the problem arises. Occasionally we will use cortizone cream. His mom also suffers from depression and has been on anti-depressants for the past 3 years. She is also a smoker, she did smoke a little while pregnant. She has a family history of depression, alzhiemers, drug/heavy alcohol/tobacco use, she also has a poor relation ship with her mother.
If it's pertinent I have used drugs/alcohol long before my son's birth. I quit smoking when he was 2. I have a family history that includes possible alcoholism, anxiety disorders and depression.
A few other things about my son may help. Forgetting that he has a lable of autism or PDD.
He has some OCD type behaviors, most i think are related to keeping his schedule or following his list because he knows what to expect and what's expected of him.
DTP, Hib, IPV and PCV at 2,4 & 6 mos.
HepB #1-birth, #2-2mos, #3-15 mos.
MMR 15 mos.
Varicella 18 mos.
Rather than give him the recommended MMR at age 4 we had him tested for immunity and the antibodies were still present so we did not vaccinate again.
He has had no significant skin issues but he has had a facial rash which looks kind of like a mild case acne, very small bumps some with tiny white heads covering a patch on upper portion of both cheeks but more so on the right. This condition had come and gone over the last 3 years and is not currently visible. Our only teatment for this condition was to wash regularly with mild soap. Also some mild rashes on his backside.
All of us seem to suffer from some form of eczema. My wife uses moisturizer and also my son when the problem arises. Occasionally we will use cortizone cream. His mom also suffers from depression and has been on anti-depressants for the past 3 years. She is also a smoker, she did smoke a little while pregnant. She has a family history of depression, alzhiemers, drug/heavy alcohol/tobacco use, she also has a poor relation ship with her mother.
If it's pertinent I have used drugs/alcohol long before my son's birth. I quit smoking when he was 2. I have a family history that includes possible alcoholism, anxiety disorders and depression.
A few other things about my son may help. Forgetting that he has a lable of autism or PDD.
He has some OCD type behaviors, most i think are related to keeping his schedule or following his list because he knows what to expect and what's expected of him.
ymoke last decade
I almost forgot regarding skin he also has 3 very dark small round moles on his chest and one oval shaped on his right cheek. The one on his cheek annoyed him a few months ago so he scratched it to the point of bleeding. I think this was because he just began to notice it but it is possible it itched and he wanted it off. The dermatologist said let it heal and see if it gets aggravated again which has not happened yet.
ymoke last decade
vaccination (as mentioned) with genetic influence has set stage for current symptomology--the use of risperdal further complicates and will interfere with homoeopathic treatment---also
may find aggression aggravated/complicated by diet..
not easy decision .but YOU need address making decision of your course of action..if ready for removal of risperdal usage..then we start with homoeopathic treatment...must be stated that not typically a habit forming drug--but withdrawl syndrome with mania has been noted in some cases...
let me know your decision --case will need be closely monitored --due to aggression suppression --this will be main focal once risperdal is removed---symptoms will dictate course of action...
may find aggression aggravated/complicated by diet..
not easy decision .but YOU need address making decision of your course of action..if ready for removal of risperdal usage..then we start with homoeopathic treatment...must be stated that not typically a habit forming drug--but withdrawl syndrome with mania has been noted in some cases...
let me know your decision --case will need be closely monitored --due to aggression suppression --this will be main focal once risperdal is removed---symptoms will dictate course of action...
♡ John Stanton last decade
Removing the risperdal is a big step and my wife and i would need to discuss that. We are at the start of the new school year and would be reluctant to do that, I think, until at least after the new year because with school starting and holidays shortly after it will be difficult to determine effectiveness of any alternate solutions while there is so many changes and starting and stopping of school.
We have tried to remove the riperdal once but the doctor whose advice we were following was moving very slowly. We dropped from 1mg > .75 mg and then .5 mg. At .5 mg the biggest issue that we had was his talk of "I want you to take my blood out" or "throw me out with trash and let the garbage truck take me away" and only when very upset, not much physical violence and none directed at others. By this stage the start of school was getting closer and we didn't want to risk a poor start so we went back to .75 mg. If we need to take him off the risperdal first i think we will have to wait a bit.
Is there anything you think we can do in the meantime to help his communication?
Thanks!
We have tried to remove the riperdal once but the doctor whose advice we were following was moving very slowly. We dropped from 1mg > .75 mg and then .5 mg. At .5 mg the biggest issue that we had was his talk of "I want you to take my blood out" or "throw me out with trash and let the garbage truck take me away" and only when very upset, not much physical violence and none directed at others. By this stage the start of school was getting closer and we didn't want to risk a poor start so we went back to .75 mg. If we need to take him off the risperdal first i think we will have to wait a bit.
Is there anything you think we can do in the meantime to help his communication?
Thanks!
ymoke last decade
start with single dose "only" nux-vomica 200c
child must avoid--all sweets(particularly all products made with refined white sugar);all artificial sweeteners;all milk products;;;acidic foods and drinks..i.e..coffee;coca cola,pepsi,and the like; fruits and juices;vinegar ;all alcohol based products ;...etc
NO! other medicines -remedies ;vaccines;antibiotics;eardrops;skin cremes/ointments;..etc {{riperdal is to be ONLY !medicine used}}
post back as to response or lack of from nux-vomica 200c...
child must avoid--all sweets(particularly all products made with refined white sugar);all artificial sweeteners;all milk products;;;acidic foods and drinks..i.e..coffee;coca cola,pepsi,and the like; fruits and juices;vinegar ;all alcohol based products ;...etc
NO! other medicines -remedies ;vaccines;antibiotics;eardrops;skin cremes/ointments;..etc {{riperdal is to be ONLY !medicine used}}
post back as to response or lack of from nux-vomica 200c...
♡ John Stanton last decade
It will be difficult but fortunately he does not eat alot of those types of foods. Juice will be the hardest, the one he likes most has corn syrup, but he likes to drink water as well so hopefully it will be ok. I have ordered the nux-vomica and will post the result.
Thank you for the help!
Thank you for the help!
ymoke last decade
♡ John Stanton last decade
OK... The Nux Vom seemed to have a little result for the better, it was hard to tell for sure because many things were changing at the same time (School, new karate class). But he did seem a little more communicative and generally in a better mood. After about a week he had a couple of bad days. So i tried another dose. Same thing, it seems like he perks up for a few days then the change disappears.
The result was very mild and i'm still not certain it was not just coincedence but it does not seem to last more than a few days.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
The result was very mild and i'm still not certain it was not just coincedence but it does not seem to last more than a few days.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
ymoke last decade
no more nux-vomica...
if still on medication--you will see this up and down effect-----tough with medications as such--youll see improvement--and then dip to normal --or no response at all..
if still on medication--you will see this up and down effect-----tough with medications as such--youll see improvement--and then dip to normal --or no response at all..
♡ John Stanton last decade
more communicative...
In an effort to help his conversational skills and make him more comfortable having a conversation, each day i have him TRY an tell me about his day. I have been doing this for 2 years. Typically this requires a lot of prompting and questioning on my part. After the nux vomica he seems more willing to discuss information he has not been specifically asked about. A simple example would be when asked if he likes something previously he might respond yes or no and stop there. He now seems more willing to elaborate on the yes or no answer if given enough time to form a response.
ME-"Did you like the book the teacher read?"
HIM-"yes"
wait a few seconds
HIM-"I liked it because sharks are cool"
I have suspected for some time that he is very capable of better communication but the words sometimes get garbled in his head, I think he knows this and it makes him
more reluctant to respond spontaneously. I also think this is partially due to his difficulty focusing on topics that are not of great interest to him. For example, he has little difficulty conversing about construction vehicles and race cars but it's frequently a one way conversation.
In an effort to help his conversational skills and make him more comfortable having a conversation, each day i have him TRY an tell me about his day. I have been doing this for 2 years. Typically this requires a lot of prompting and questioning on my part. After the nux vomica he seems more willing to discuss information he has not been specifically asked about. A simple example would be when asked if he likes something previously he might respond yes or no and stop there. He now seems more willing to elaborate on the yes or no answer if given enough time to form a response.
ME-"Did you like the book the teacher read?"
HIM-"yes"
wait a few seconds
HIM-"I liked it because sharks are cool"
I have suspected for some time that he is very capable of better communication but the words sometimes get garbled in his head, I think he knows this and it makes him
more reluctant to respond spontaneously. I also think this is partially due to his difficulty focusing on topics that are not of great interest to him. For example, he has little difficulty conversing about construction vehicles and race cars but it's frequently a one way conversation.
ymoke last decade
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