Department of Chinese Medicine, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan
【Summary】
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized with persistent deficits in social communication and interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. According to World Health Organization, about one in 100 children has autism. The prevalence continues to rise because of better clinical diagnostic assessments and increased community concern. Environmental factors and genetical factors are believed to be related to ASD, but the exact etiology still remains unknown. Since ASD is highly heterogeneous, managements can be various and adapted to different patients. Behavioral therapies, medicines and alternative therapies have been widely conducted clinically. However, there has not been an effective way to cure the core symptoms. In theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine, ASD is considered as retardation in speaking. ASD is caused by congenital deficiencies and malnutrition of acquired essence, with different causes such as depletion of kidney essence, heart spirit confused by phlegm or liver depression. Brain, heart, liver and kidney are the associated organs. In order to treat both manifestation and root cause of disease, the principals of treatment can be invigorating kidney and nourishing essence, clearing heart fire and suppressing hyperactive liver, eliminating phlegm for resuscitation, invigorating spleen and replenishing qi or nourishing blood for tranquillization according to different clinical symptoms. Acupuncture or manipulation techniques can also be used for inducing resuscitation and benefiting intelligence by stimulation acupuncture points. In this article, we hope to provide more ideas for treating ASD and help more autistic patients by discussing different viewpoints in TCM and Western medicine.
【Keywords】Autism spectrum disorder, retardation in speaking, behavioral therapy, invigorating kidney and nourishing essence, eliminating phlegm for resuscitation.