Autism

Autism is a developmental disorder that normally manifests before three years of age affecting the brain’s normal development of social skills and causing deficits in communication, behaviour, and cognition. The word means the children are locked within themselves. Nearly two million children are affected worldwide and are more prevalent among Boys. It was first described by Leo Kanner.

The child can be aggressive with unusual movements, unusual attachments to objects, not responding to the parent’s affectionate behavior, and with poor eye contact. The early warning signs can be delayed speech, repetitive body movements, and altered social activities.

There are different variants of Autistic disorder with the severity ranging from mild to moderate intensities. It is a neuropathological condition with impaired brain signals affecting the information process in the brain.

The causes of autism can be genetics, prenatal, perinatal, or post-natal infections, biochemical factors like elevated plasma serotonin, and environmental factors like air pollution. Many types of research have concluded that pregnant women are affected by chemicals in the body which can be passed on to the fetus which leads to immune dysregulation and oxidative stress. Studies show that 88% of autistic children have chronic gastrointestinal inflammation.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic’s approach to autism

Our experts from Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic carefully analyze the child for the body type and doshik constitution and Ayurvedic checklists for the deep analysis of the Autistic spectral Disorders. Their language, behavior, and social relationships will be carefully analyzed along with the necessary investigations like Thyroid function tests and child profiles. Special counseling sections are available at Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic with the help of expert hands in Ayurveda for the improvement of the skills of an autistic child.

In Ayurveda body is explained in terms of Doshas and Dhatus. There are three Doshas namely Vata (air factor), Pitta (fire factor), and Kapha (water factor). There are seven dhatus namely Rasa (lymph), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscles), Medas (adipose tissue), Asthi (bones), Majja (bone marrow), and Shukra (semen).

The essence of all these is known as Ojas. In the case of autism, there will be a reduction in the quality and quantity of dhatus. The conduction of impulses is mainly done by Vata, especially an autistic child Udana Vata (sub type of Vata) is mostly affected considering the speech and aggressiveness. However, if the child is in a depressive state, an association of Kapha is also considered while planning treatments. Impairment of the sense organs can be successfully managed with Ayurvedic treatment in autistic children.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic suggests that a good diet always helps with autistic behaviour. Always gluten-free diet is preferred over the normal one. A balanced protein and carbohydrate-rich diet can be given with boiled eggs, lean meats, banana, rice, soy milk, tuna fish, almonds, and peanut butter. Vitamins can be supplemented with tomatoes, peas, lettuce, celery, pineapple, orange, broccoli, grapes, apples, and kiwis. An adequate amount of fats can be received from using high-quality olive oil or virgin coconut oil. It is very important to reduce the overweight in autistic children.

The treatments provided by Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic focus on the Autistic spectrum of disorders by correcting the Agni (digestive fire) and Ojas. The Agni is the essential factor that maintains all the Doshas and dhatus. About 84% of autistic children suffer from gastrointestinal disorders like constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and dietary issues. By correcting the Agni, the Doshas get corrected from the grass-root level. The various herbs processed in oils and ghee, decoctions, tablets, and powders available in Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic are specially designed to meet the gastrointestinal requirements of the autistic child. These internal and external therapies will help in regaining the Ojas of the body.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic’s special treatments for autistic spectrum disorders are Thalam (placing herbs mixed with oils or decoctions placed on the vertex of the head). Sirodhara (Pouring of herbal oil on forehead), Abhyanga (different types of massages using medicated herbal oils typically done to cure Vata. Udwarthana (specialized herbal massages done for the elimination of Doshas and toning of the body), Vasthi (medicated enema to expel out the unwanted toxins in the body), Siropichu (treatment using a cap of oil on the head usually done to boost the nervous system. Nasya (medicated oil is instilled in the nostril and the Kapha is eliminated followed by gargling with medicated herbs).

The herbal treatments are mainly focused on balancing the Tridosha and start with digestive medicines and end with Rasayanas. Rasayanas are a group of medicines intended to rejuvenate the body. The Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic treatments help in the neurological rejuvenation of the body once the whole course of treatment is over.

The intake of the medicated ghee is an important part of the treatment as ghee is considered one of the main rejuvenators of the brain and brain cells. Proper screening of the child, the personalised herbal medications, and therapies offered by the Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic make a significant difference in the management of Autism.