Autism Part 2: Exhaustion Type
Young children are almost always whining and often go off food. However sometimes things can go deeper, and a child may not have the energy to have a good moan so in TICM we call this weakness in vital energy (Qi). Energy is an intermediary between the physical body and mind, a connection that enables a thought to be translated into action. This provides am explanation for many unusual conditions as illness appears on the surface before physiological changes take place. For this pattern of autism, the patient does not have enough energy so the patient will feel tired and many bodily functions will be sluggish such as not being able to think clearly, digestion is out of whack, give up on things easily, want to sit down, day dream, do not have enough energy for homework and in extreme cases become backwards as they just simply cannot keep up. These patients will have a poor appetite so they will not have enough food for their body to make energy, so they lack energy for digestion, so they lack appetite.
Our brains need energy to be healthy in order to function. The physical nourishment for the brain comes from our blood supply and in order to get the supply, we must have a good supply of energy. If the brain does not receive nourishment, this can seriously impair brain functions which will lead to difficulty concentrating and feeling tired all the time.
So, as we discover the main characteristic for this pattern of autism is lack of energy and weak. This is something a parent will notice through their instincts as no one knows a child better than their parents. However, in some instances, the lack of energy may not be noticed until the child starts nursery where they will get tired easily, do not like playing outside, playing energetic games or walking compared to a child with energy who will get fidgety and restless if they have to sit still for too long.
The common signs and symptoms here will be poor appetite, easily tired, pale face, thin muscles, picky with food, weak immune system as they can easily catch things that are going around, have a weak pulse and pale tongue. If this type of child was afraid, having no energy and being exhausted will make things much worse.
We all know that children should naturally be hyper and full of energy (Yang). The causes for this pattern of autism and lack energy where they find interactions with others tiring and prefer to withdraw into themselves are:
Too many immunisations in the early years as the schedule is too much. In Australia, 31 immunisations are given in the first year of life with a mixture of 9 different immunisations given in the first 6 months alone, which by the time a child reaches 6 months it has already received 25 immunisations. Each immunisation given on its own causes mild fever with tiredness which most babies may be able to cope with. But other babies will find it exhausting on their body from the sheer intensity of the immunisations. In TICM, we believe that frequent illnesses injure energy (Qi). Immunisation schedule information has been taken from the National Immunisation Programme for the Australian Government Department of Health. The immunisation schedule is fast on the increase every year.
History of frequent sickness in the early years of life from frequent courses of anti-biotics and other medications.
Colic in the early months or years of a child’s life can be exhausting. The baby will quickly associate the pain with eating so this will naturally lead to fear of food which leads onto poor appetite leading to no energy.
Exhaustion from a difficult and long birth as the process of being born is hard work for the child.
Not resting enough as some children go to bed too late often staying up late watching screens. The way we tell is by looking at the child’s complexion, Spirit and Soul through the eyes.
Treatment
Visit to Dr Isaac Golden who is a homeopath in Riddles Creek, Victoria, Australia. Not many people are a fan of Isaac but personally I think he is a master at what he does.
Acupuncture in combination with moxibustion especially working on the Spleen, abdomen, lumbar region and Kidneys.
Changes in food and nutrition along with Chinese herbal medicine.
Over time the child will gradually get better with little improvements made each week with slight changes in autistic behaviour, increase of appetite and stronger immunity.
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