Date:04/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/04/stories/2008110453030200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Holistic approach to autism holds hope

Staff Reporter

— Photo: M.Karunakaran

Finding cure: A session in progress at the national seminar on Medical and Therapeutical Intervention for Autism at Anna University Alumni Club in Chennai on Sunday.

CHENNAI: Though no complete cure has been found yet for autism, a holistic intervention can prove effective, speakers at a national seminar on Medical and Therapeutical Intervention for Autism conducted by non-governmental organisation Swabhimaan Trust said here on Sunday.

The holistic approach includes use of medicines, diet moderation and regular exercise to help those with autism cope with the symptoms. A neurological disorder linked to the genes, autism manifests itself in poor social adaptability, learning disabilities and poor eating habits.

Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee, Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS) Dr.P.Jayaprakash said that the Siddha system could prove effective in curtailing the disease process.

Parents of autistic children are often confused about what food items to give them. Yoga and naturopathy physician Dr.S.Lakshmi suggested that they resort to allergy tests and an immunotoxicology test to check what food items would suit their children. “On the basis of these test results a proper diet chart can be prepared for these children,” she said.

She pointed out that most autistic children were allergic to food having yeast content and suffered from the ‘leaky gut syndrome’ and so diet regulation must be done meticulously.

Dr.P.K.Partheeban of Swabhimaan Trust said that environmental and genetic toxicity were proving to be one of the important causes of autism and addressing these issues could also prove beneficial for victims.

He suggested that chelation therapies such as Epsom salt baths and B12 injections could address the problem of toxicity.

He also stressed the importance of specialised education for such children and modifying the teaching methods to suit the neuropsychological profile of the child.