AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER – A CASE REPORT

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder of unknown aetiology that begins in early child-hood. The main characteristic features of Childhood Autism are impairment in communication skills, social in-teractions and reciprocity, imagination and play. Ayurveda does not refer to Autism as a specific entity under the classification of disease. Based on the similarity in symptoms, the term Autism can be correlated with an imbalance in the form of Bhramsha of Dhee, Dhriti, Smriti, whether collectively or singularly, due to indulgence in unwholesome actions, termed as Pragyaparadha. The majority of its clinical features resemble Unmada. An 8-year-old male child was presented with the com-plaints of poor eye contact, repetitive movements, speech delay, impaired socialisation and communication, unaware of the situations of danger, thumb sucking, self-harm and hyperactivity. Ayurvedic treatment consisting of Vata-Kapha hara chikitsa along with Deepana Pachana, Shirobhyanga, Nasya, Medhya rasayana and Pathya krama resulted in considerable relief of the condition.