One of the most common brain development disorders is autism. These days, for every 166 child born, one will be diagnosed with some type of autism. Autistic children often suffer from auto immune problems and have weak immune systems. While autism is defined in conventional Western medicine as a medical condition in which a child suffers from impairments in communication, social and speech skills and manifests repetitive behavior and limited interest, traditional Chinese medicine considers autism as a disorder caused by middle burner stagnation, five weakness, and five delays.

1. Middle burner stagnation (ganji)

Middle burner stagnation also includes conditions affecting the organs located below the lung and heart and above the umbilicus, including the spleen and diaphragm. Signs of middle burner stagnation include food stagnation and malnutrition.

2. Five weakness (wuruan)

This also includes the five types of flaccidity represented in the softness and weakness of the lower and upper extremities, muscles, mouth, and neck.

3. Five delays (wuchi)

This also includes five types of retardation represented in the slow development of speaking, walking, standing, teeth eruption, and hair growth.

Some of symptoms of autism include:

➢ A Rapid-wiry pulse
➢ Vomiting
➢ Schizoid personality behavior
➢ Excessive phlegm
➢ Peptic ulcer
➢ Nausea
➢ Dizziness
➢ Distension of the chest
➢ Chronic hepatitis
➢ Chronic gastritis
➢ Slippery-rapid pulse
➢ Yellow greasy tongue coating
➢ Red tongue
➢ Slight thirst
➢ Shyness
➢ Loss of consciousness
➢ Bitter taste
➢ Anxiety
➢ Chronic bronchitis

Scalp Acupuncture

In Maitland Chinese medicine all meridians or energy channels reach the head, which explains why some acupuncturists refer to the head as the Sea of Meridians. There are approximately 365 acupuncture points on the surface of the body (of which about 18 percent are located on the head) and are associated with various viscera and organ (fu and zang) functions. Scalp acupuncture was developed based on bio-holography and neurophysiology theories and on modern anatomy. Scalp acupuncture treats disease through the precise application of needles on specific areas of the head. This type of acupuncture has been proven the best way to treat central nerve damage. It was seen in newly concluded human and animal studies that acupuncture treatment had a direct effect in endocrine signals, immunological markers, neural stimulation, and in the increase of endorphins and other neurotransmitters that helped lessen the symptoms of autism.

Although they do not indicate the probability of total cures, traditional acupuncture therapies for autism have certainly produced some positive results. In certain cases, patients improved to such a degree that some were able to live a relatively normal life. The areas recommended for scalp acupuncture treatment for autism include the Du acupuncture points, Gallbladder acupoints, reproductive areas, Vertigo-auditory area, speech area, and sensory area. Sometimes, body acupoints are used to complement scalp acupuncture. To attain the desired results, appropriate manipulation techniques are also included in the treatment plan. The needles are typically left in place for 15 – 30 minutes with stimulation every minute or so through a rotational technique every 5 – 10 minutes. Patients are required to undergo treatment at least once a week although it’s recommended that they come in for treatment twice or thrice a week.