Ayurvedaforall: Ayurvedic Treatment for ASPERGER’S SYNDROME

Ayurvedic Treatment for Asperger’s syndrome keeps eyes on maintaining the digestive power of the kid. By preserving a good metabolism, Ayurveda helps to repair neurologic damages. Asperger’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It affects the ability to effectively socialize and communicate. The disease usually gets diagnosed between the age of three to nine years. It is a condition on the autism spectrum, with generally higher functioning.

Signs and symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome
Causes of Asperger’s syndrome
Diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome
Treatments of Asperger’s syndrome
Prognosis of Asperger’s syndrome
Complications of Asperger’s syndrome
Asperger’s syndrome in Ayurveda
Nidana- Causes of Asperger’s syndrome
Samprapti or maturation of Asperger’s syndrome
Chikitsa (Treatment) of Asperger’s syndrome
Commonly used medicines to treat Asperger’s syndrome
Home remedies and Diet
Yoga

Signs and Symptoms

This condition usually starts in early life. The primary symptoms seen in this condition include,

Presenting with a difficulty in social interaction
Repetitive behavior
Standing firm on what they think
Focusing on rules and routines

The other symptoms are,

Lack of eye contact
Seems awkward in social situations and doesn’t know how to respond or what to say in a situation
Child may not show some emotions like they won’t laugh when happy or laugh at a joke
They may speak in a monotone and display few facial expressions.
Unable to read facial expressions and body language. They find hard to recognize others feelings
Children with AS may also have difficulty with essential motor skills, such as running or walking. Also, find lack of coordination in doing activities like climbing.
Those diagnosed with AS have normal or above normal intelligence

Causes

The exact cause of Asperger’s syndrome is not yet identified. It may happen due to the changes happening in the brain. Exposure to environmental toxins, infection by certain viruses, and genetic predisposition are considered potential causes for the development of AS. Boys are more prone to this disease than girls.

Diagnosis

There is no specific single test to diagnose AS. The parents or teachers initially notices some developmental or behavioral abnormalities and reported them to the doctor. The following are the key areas to be assessed in a case suspecting AS.

Language development
Social interaction or interest in interacting with others
Facial expressions while talking
Attitudes toward change
Motor coordination and motor skills

Treatments

There is no complete cure for AS early diagnosis and management help to control the symptoms. This helps the child to reach their complete potential. The treatment and medicines used depend on the symptoms. Medications used to treat AS are,

to reduce irritability Aripiprazole (Abilify) is given
reduce hyperactivity the medicines used are Guanfacine (Tenex), Olanzapine (Zyprexa), and Naltrexone (ReVia)
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to reduce repetitive behaviors
Risperidone (Risperdal Consta) is used to reduce agitation and insomnia

The treatments to improve communication skill and social interaction includes,

social skills training
speech and language therapy
occupational therapy and physical therapy
cognitive therapy
behavioral therapy

Prognosis

Asperger’s syndrome is not completely curable. But early diagnosis and timely intervention help the child to reach their maximum potential. This child can however lead a normal life.

Complications

If the diagnosis and intervention delays in the case of Asperger’s syndrome there can develop some complications like,

Social isolation or difficulty making and keeping friends.
Trouble in finding and maintaining steady employment.
Decreased self-confidence.
Difficulties with social interactions.
Depression and Anxiety.

Disease and Ayurveda

No specific disease can be precisely correlated to Asperger’s syndrome. In Ayurveda, unmada incorporates various forms of inappropriate actions exhibited by the individual as a result of the distortion of normal mind, intellect, conscious knowledge, memory, desire, manner, and behavior. The symptoms of AS can be thus included in the context of unmada. The treatment principle of unmada can be adopted in the management.

Nidana- Causes

The main vitiated dosha is vata and the factors which vitiate vata can cause this condition.

Virudha ahara and vihara (improper daily regimens)
Excessive intake of foods which are ruksha (fat-free diet), alpa (low portion size or serving size of food/low-calorie diet), sheeta (cold food) in nature
Depletion of body tissues, excessive fasting, etc.
Manasika vikaras (emotions of mind) like fear, sorrow, etc. can vitiate vata dosha.

The diseases of psychological involvement always happen to those with less satwa bala (less mental strength).

Samprapthi Maturation

The aggravated vata along with other vitiated doshas spreads and afflicts the heart(or brain) who has excessive psychological stress or fear. They spread upwards and occupy the channels of the upper parts of the body (head or heart) causing the disease

Lakshana Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms include,

Lack of desire to communicate with others.
Inappropriate emotional outbursts and adhering to specific rigid routines
Impaired socialization skills, inability to follow commands, losing of good habits, etc.

Divisions based on doshas

Unmada is of five types based on dosha predominance,

Vataja
Pittaja
Kaphaja
Sannipataja
Agantuja

Chikitsa- Ayurvedic Treatment for Asperger’s Syndrome

The treatment includes

Samana chikitsa which includes drugs that pacifies doshas
Shodhana chikitsa (bio cleansing procedures) to eliminate the vitiated doshas and restore the homeostasis
Sattvavajaya chikitsa which includes mind and self-control techniques
Daivavyapasraya chikitsa to restore the confidence

Commonly used Ayurvedic medicines for Asperger’s Syndrome

Kalyanaka kashayam
Brahmidrakshadi Kashayam
Brahmi ghritam
Kalyanaka gritam
Mahat Panchagavya ghritam
Manasa mitravatakam
Drakshadi kashaya
Abhyanga (oil massage) with Dhanwantharam thailam, Vatasini thailam, Ksheerabala thailam
Swarna bhasma with ghee and honey
Saraswatarishta
Saraswatha choornam

Brands available

Aryavaidyasala Kottakkal
Vaidyaratnam Oushadasala
SNA
Dhootpapaeswar
Baidyanath

Home Remedies and diet

Probiotics
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids help in the development of brain functions
Proper sleep to maintain balance in serotonin release
Training given to parents to guide such children
Stay them active and allow the be with peer group
Omega-3 rich food like salmon fish
Walnuts, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds
Dark chocolate
Eggs, yogurt

Yoga

Yoga’s methodical approach to breathing and moving makes it an excellent option for anxious children to learn strong coping skills. Simple postures like Marjarasana, Sisu asana, etc. can be practiced by children. Breathing exercise can also be practiced.