Catriona Stewart
To what extent can herbal medicine respond to the debate and controversies involved in the experience of Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Abstract
Research into Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) reveals high levels of controversy among professionals and parents of children with ASD. There are many theories of aetiology and approaches to treatment, with much disagreement as to the validity of any of them. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the extent to which herbal medicine has something to offer children with ASD and in particular to what extent herbal treatment can respond to the issues raised by the complexity of this disorder.
Methodology was primarily a literature review, with additional ethnographic content. In-depth interviews were conducted with a number of professionals as well as the mother of a child with Asperger’s syndrome. A conference on Biomedical Interventions in Autistic Spectrum Disorder was attended.
While current orthodox approaches are based on ASD as a neurological/developmental disorder, alternative theories describe it as a metabolic disorder causing neurological and developmental damage. Although treatments arising from these theories are controversial, enough progress - at least in the alleviation of some symptoms, only rarely in terms of a ‘cure’ - has been reported to encourage many parents to pursue them.
Approaches used in alternative modes of treatment of ASD are similar in terms of basic principles to those used in herbal medicine. Additionally, herbal medicine can treat many common symptoms of ASD as well as supporting dietary treatments.
It was found that herbal medicine has much to offer in the treatment of children with ASD and their parents, in particular in response to issues raised in debates on the condition. However, there is a lack of awareness of what herbal medicine has to offer. Parents of children with ASD and other practitioners need to know what herbal medicine does before it can be viewed widely as an appropriate and readily available resource.
