Dr. Luepker's Articles

A Drug-Free Approach for Autism Spectrum Disorder

by Ian R. Luepker, ND, DHANP

(Featured article in Homeopathy Today, October, 2005)

Strangers in a Strange Land

Children and adults with Asperger Syndrome (AS), a high-functioning form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often feel like Valentine Michael Smith, the main character in Robert Heinlein’s classic science-fiction novel, Stranger in a Strange Land. The last human survivor of a failed expedition to Mars, and raised from infancy by Martians, Smith possesses superior intelligence, but has the social and communication skills of an alien toddler. The excerpt below gives some indications of the challenges he faces soon after returning to Earth as a twenty-five year-old adult.

None of his thinkings [sic] had been in Earth symbols. Simple English he had freshly learned to speak, but much less easily than a Hindu uses it to trade with a Turk. Smith used English as one might use a code book, with tedious and imperfect translation for each symbol. Now his thoughts, pure Martian abstractions from half a million years of wildly alien culture, traveled so far from any human experience as to be utterly untranslatable…The commonplace room was not commonplace to him, there was nothing remotely like it on Mars.

For Valentine Michael Smith, and for those with ASD, the world may seem an incomprehensible place, an alien planet where one is held against one’s will, without even a guidebook. Imagine what it is like to be highly intelligent, but to continually misunderstand facial expressions, gestures, and social cues. Imagine further what it is like to miss out on the subtle nuances in communication that are so fundamental to expressing humor, sarcasm, frustration, or sympathy, while those closest to you throw up their hands in exasperation at decisions that seem completely logical to you. This is the plight of the ASD child. Imagine how challenging it would be to live this way for one day, for even one hour, without becoming confused, depressed, anxious, frustrated, or angry. People with ASD populate this alien world every day, day after day. Adapting to the social world depends on their learning effective communication and social skills, understanding how differently those around them think and reason, and expressing feelings that don't always make sense.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism is described as a spectrum disorder to signify characteristics shared among a group with a common diagnosis, but who differ considerably in manifestation and severity of those core characteristics. From classical autism to high-functioning Asperger Syndrome, ASD isolates, robbing a child of his ability to communicate or grasp the more subtle, non-verbal nuances of social interaction most neurotypicals (NTs) take for granted. Below, we have listed the core traits of ASD:

-Blindness to social cues
-Communication problems
-Restricted repertoire of interests
-Perseverative (repetitive) behaviors
-Extreme need for structure and routine
-Difficulties with gross motor skills

However, the impact of ASD goes beyond difficulties with communication, social interaction and repetitive behaviors. These children often have trouble with sensory processing; gastro-intestinal inflammation and food sensitivities; connective tissue laxity; problems with muscle tone, posture, coordination and autonomic reflexes; and a compromised immune system. Additionally, 65% of children diagnosed with ASD have a secondary, dual diagnosis such as depression, anxiety, ADD, Tourettes syndrome, tics or insomnia.

Why Children with ASD are Excellent Candidates for Homeopathic Care

Homeopathy individualizes treatment like no other medicine, and this is what makes it an ideal form of intervention for children with ASD. Because ASD has a global impact on a child’s ability to function, it requires an approach that individualizes treatment and addresses the totality of a child’s symptoms. In these cases, we typically find a wealth of individualizing characteristics on the physical, mental and emotional levels to narrow down the choice of possible remedies. The more unusual the child, the easier it is to help him with homeopathy. Whenever we hear a feature or symptom that we have never before heard, it intrigues us. Unusual symptoms or behaviors narrow down the possibilities in choosing the correct medicine from over two thousand medicines.

The homeopathic interview is a perfect opportunity to talk about their special interests or “grand passions.” Homeopaths love to engage kids in a lively discussion of their favorite subjects or activities. Even more than the background information parents may give, hearing the child talk about what fascinates him, observing his gestures and body language, and listening for impassioned tones of voice can lead a homeopath directly to the right medicine. Every word the child utters is of significance to us, particularly words or language that are unique. Whereas parents, teachers, and caregivers may roll their eyes if they hear even once more about the cube root of 4096, our eyes light up, and we record the words of the child feverishly, trying not to miss a single word.

Homeopathy is gentle medicine for super-sensitive kids. Many ASD children are highly sensitive to prescription drugs, foods, and other substances. Since the ingredients in homeopathic remedies are so highly diluted, allergic reactions, sensitivities, or even side effects are rare. Homeopathy is one of the gentlest forms of medicine known. A few children do react adversely in some way to homeopathics, but virtually all such reactions can be minimized or eliminated by an alternative form of dosing, such as LMs or plussed remedies.

Highly motivated parents are a homeopath’s dream. Parents of children with ASD are highly motivated to find help for their kids, willing to go to any extent to help their children, including searching for any treatment that can turn around their youngsters’ symptoms and disabilities. All told, parents of children on the autism spectrum tend to be committed to their child's treatment and well being for the long haul.

What are the challenges in treating ASD with homeopathy?

Propelled by public awareness and growing evidence that early intervention is important for a successful outcome, parents are inclined to leave no stone unturned in seeking out treatment for their children. As a result, it isn’t uncommon for a child to be undergoing multiple interventions simultaneously. For example, heavy metal chelation, glutathione, social skills groups, Applied Behavioral Analysis, hyperbaric oxygen, chiropractic, and dietary interventions are a few of the treatments that are commonly used with this group. This can pose a challenge for homeopathic treatment, especially if these interventions are being added at the same time. Adding too many therapies simultaneously can make it confusing to know to what extent each of them is working. Generally, we recommend that once a new homeopathic medicine is prescribed, you wait a couple of months before introducing a new intervention in order to adequately evaluate the effect of the homeopathy. Additionally, it is preferable to avoid adding new interventions within eight weeks of commencing homeopathic treatment.

Working with these children requires a flexible case-taking approach. Because these children have varying communication styles, case-taking needs to be tailored to the patient. For example, children with ASD are often very literal, so employing Divya Chhabra’s ‘free association’ method probably won’t bear fruit. Often, engaging these kids in a discussion of their special interest will provide a useful window into how they perceive the world.

Johan: Bullied and on the Social Sidelines

When we first met Johan, he was eleven years old and on Ritalin. Fifth grade had gotten off to a rocky start for Johan, and by mid-winter it hadn’t become any easier. Johan’s mom aptly described him as “eccentric,” and this became readily apparent as we interviewed him. The child’s behaviors and interactions with other children either alienated or “grossed out” his peers, leaving him on the social sidelines. Like many children on the autism continuum, Johan was an easy target for bullying and teasing because of his differences and inability to pick up on his classmates’ social cues. As a result, he would occasionally return home sad and bruised, following fights with the other children.

Johan was clearly different. His movements were a bit uncoordinated, his language overly formal, and his voice tone peculiar. Furthermore, he would laugh at inappropriate moments, and the quality of the laughter was unnerving and awkward.

His mom explained, “The school says that he invades his neighbor’s space. He has no awareness of social boundaries or unspoken rules. He’ll talk really loud, even when he’s right in front of your face. Johan doesn’t seem to have a sense of normal conversation. Sometimes he’ll start a conversation and neglect to give any context or reference for what he’s saying.”

“He is truthful to a fault!” his mom bemoaned. “When other kids provoke him to the point of defending himself, and he is caught, he will explain everything to the teacher, fully expecting her to believe him. When that does not happen, he doesn’t feel listened to and becomes sad.”

When Johan first walked into our consultation room, he immediately began to investigate the room and its contents. “I feel like no one likes me, not even my parents. People are on me. No one at school talks with me or wants to play with me and I feel sad a lot,” Johan explained. His mom confirmed this, and was prompted, in part, to make an appointment with us because Johan had been recently talking about suicide.

I Can Feel the Animal’s Pain

Johan felt enormous compassion for animals. One day during recess, two boys were threatening to squish a worm. Happening upon the scene, Johan exclaimed, “Hey! Wait! Worms are life. Killing one worm could change the whole future of a tree! And trees help us live. ” This complex logic was lost on the boys, so he swooped down, grabbed the worm, and dashed off. The two boys gave chase, and as Johan yelled over his shoulder, “I won’t let you kill this worm,” he carried the worm to safety!

“I am very sensitive to animals hurting or bleeding,” Johan continued. Once, when he was watching an episode of Animal Planet with his father, the program’s biologists were attempting to net a manta ray suffering from a damaged flipper. In the process of netting the ray, the flipper was torn off. Johan immediately fainted. With a loud clunk, his head hit the kitchen table. “It affects me deeply when an animal gets hurt. It hurts me on the inside and outside. I’m really sensitive to that kind of stuff.” Johan explained.

His mother shared that Johan’s language was considerably delayed. In fact, he didn’t speak in complete sentences until he was six years old. Johan routinely had trouble falling asleep at night. Additionally, he experienced recurring headaches. He described the pain as a tight band stretching from ear to ear across his forehead.

Exceptional Features

Johan’s understanding of social cues seriously undermined his ability to mesh with his peers. This left him feeling sad, and on the fringe during recess. His language was considerably delayed, and his speech peculiar and odd. Johan’s grand passions had changed over the years, but most recently, Bionicles had become his favorite pastime. All of these traits are common to children with ASD.

We found the intensity of Johan’s sensitivity to others’ pain, and his compassion for suffering animals striking. His ability to empathize with an animal to the point of fainting because he “felt their pain, inside and out,” was truly remarkable! The remedy that best fit Johan was the beautiful yellow water lily, Nuphar luteum. Children needing this medicine exhibit great moral sensibility. They can experience acute pain on witnessing the suffering of animals. Nuphar luteum is also used to treat the type of headache Johan described: a pressing band-like pain across the forehead.

Gradual but Steady Progress toward Balance and Happiness

Over the next three months after taking his homeopathic medicine, Johan’s chief concerns improved steadily. He reported feeling more patient with the other kids at school, and felt that he was getting along better with his classmates. When asked how he felt the homeopathic medicine had helped him, he answered, “It’s helping me make ‘half’ friends.” Johan’s mom noted he seemed to respond faster when addressed. “This is a target area that has changed. He is more engaged, wanting to be involved in discussions and activities that don’t normally interest him. His grades have improved, and he is more on task.”

During this office visit, Johan expressed a new concern, “I feel nervous about something, but I don’t know what it is. I feel like I did something wrong,” In spite of this sentiment, Johan admitted that he was feeling happier in general.

Johan’s homeopathic medicine had moved him in the right direction. Although the changes were gradual, they were encouraging. The direction toward balance and health is more important than the pace with homeopathy. We repeated the Nuphar and Johan’s healing process accelerated further over the next two months. During our next visit, Johan announced that he felt more “laid back” and “cool with the world.” He said he felt more able to “leave things behind” and that everything was going better with other kids. “People don’t mind me being around them now,” he commented. Johan added that he had been feeling “more mellow” and not as worried. The feeling of being “nervous about something” had dissolved.

Johan’s mother confirmed the progress. “He’s definitely doing a lot better. A tenfold improvement!” She was pleased to report that Johan had not expressed any suicidal thoughts since starting homeopathic treatment. At this point, his parents decided to take him off of Ritalin, under the supervision of the prescribing physician.

Johan’s progress continued over the next couple of months. “I haven’t had any nightmares since the very first dose,” he informed us. “I have made two new friends and it’s easy to talk with them. The first time we played was the most fun time I’ve ever had!” Johan assured us that he had not been feeling worried or nervous, and was much happier. His mom agreed with her son’s observations.

During our most recent visit, Johan informed us that his sleep problems had returned. “I am thinking about how my next day will go,” he explained. He had continued to make friends more easily. “The first day of school, I made a new friend. It’s as simple as one, two, three! And I think that it is because of my weirdness that they like me!” It warms the heart to see this delightfully compassionate child feel good about himself!

(Portions of this article are excerpted from our new book, A Drug-Free Approach to Asperger Syndrome and Autism: Homeopathic Care for Exceptional Kids.: Edmonds, WA: Picnic Point Press)
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By Ian Luepker, ND, DHANP

A recent study conducted by the University of Maryland and published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine emphasized the alarming increase in the number of American children being treated with psychiatric drugs.

"From 1987-1996, the number (of medicated children) tripled, and shows no sign of slowing down."

In 2000, an estimated 20 million prescriptions were written for stimulant drugs alone.

The study's primary investigator, Julie Zito, expressed concern that "cost saving techniques by insurance companies, marketing by the pharmaceutical industry and increased demands on parents and doctors may be driving the steep rise." Ms. Zito asks if "the steep increases in the use of most classes of medications, including anti-psychotic drugs, were being prescribed possibly as a way to restrain difficult children."

The report goes on to state, "Other than zonking you, we don't know that behavioral management by drug control is the way to learn to behave properly." Furthermore, "if we are using drugs to control behavior, that doesn't change the underlying problem if someone doesn't know how to get along with their peers."

This trend is worrisome.

Although for some children psychiatric medication may be necessary, this study raises a disturbing question: Are we overmedicating our children? And to what end?

Are we managing kid's behaviors with powerful psychiatric drugs without addressing the underlying problem?

With ADHD, kids often remain medicated from kindergarten through high school, yet there is a conspicuous lack of long-term research on this class of drugs. How do these psychiatric drugs affect a fragile and developing brain? And what lingering effect will these drugs have on our children 20 years from now?

Who benefits from this trend? Are the children benefiting? Or is it the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry?

In light of this study, these are serious questions that we, as a society, need to ask ourselves.

Imagine the following scenario: your eight-year-old son, Jesse, has just entered second grade. Within three weeks of starting the school year, you receive a note from his new teacher. She has observed that Jesse wriggles around in his seat too much and has a hard time keeping his hands off of other children.

She finds his repetitive and interruptive questions annoying and disruptive. Jesse appears to tune our much of the time in class, and when it's time to write down the homework assignments, he is out in left field.

You give the teacher a call and assure her that Jesse simply needs more time to adjust. You're aware that he is high-spirited, but he'll be okay.

Within two months, the teacher calls you in for a conference. You enter the room, with a sinking feeling, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Is Jesse really over the top or is the school district particularly strict? The counselor, the principal and psychologist may have been called in to attend the meeting as well. They ask. "Have you heard of ADHD?" "Have you thought of putting your child on medication?"

In some cases, you may even be warned that Jesse can't remain in the classroom until he is medicated. You sulk out of the room, bewildered, or you are seething with anger at having been set up, or you are really ticked off at Jesse for letting himself, and you, down. Or you blame yourself for being an inadequate parent. Or all of the above.

Unfortunately, this scenario is commonly played out nationwide. With class size on the rise and no relief in sight, it is difficult to maintain an orderly classroom and students struggling with hyperactivity or attention difficulties often exacerbate the situation.

With diminishing support and a marked lack of funding, I empathize with our teachers; we've placed them in a very tough spot.

Fortunately, when it comes to the treatment of behavioral problems, there are safe and effective non-drug alternatives. We have a choice.

Homeopathy, a holistic medicine, is very effective for treating childhood disorders such as ADHD, ODD, the autistic spectrum including Asperger syndrome, and other behavioral and learning problems. It uses small doses of natural substances to stimulate the body's inherent ability to heal itself.

In homeopathic prescribing a single substance is found that matches the individual symptom pattern of the sick person. Since homeopathy treats the whole personÑphysical, mental and emotional symptoms are all taken into account. Because it is holistic medicine, not only do learning and behavioral problems improve, so do most or all of the physical, mental and emotional complaints of the person.

The changes seen during treatment are often dramatic.

Although homeopathy is considered a complementary medicine in the states, it is considered conventional in most of Europe, South America, India and Mexico. A survey conducted by the British Medical Journal in 1986 showed that 42% of British medical doctors referred their patients to professional homeopaths.

As more research money is being allocated to studying complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), it is only a matter of time before homeopathy becomes conventional in the United States.

In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Yale-Griffin Research Center are funding a study on the efficacy of homeopathic treatment for ADHD. The study is being conducted at our clinic in Edmonds, the Northwest Center for Homeopathic Medicine.

The results of the study will be published later this year.
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Homeopathic Self-Care: Tips for Surviving the Summer!

By Ian Luepker, ND

Summertime! What a glorious word, especially in the Northwest as the winter rains transform into color, fragrance and lots of outdoor activity! Hiking and biking, kayaking and climbing, walking and jogging... the Northwest is humming with action. Of course, the increased activity and contact with nature can sometimes lead to common first aid situations such as insect bites, hives, sprains and strains, cuts and bruises. Although emergency care is sometimes necessary, often these ailments can be treated with natural, effective and safe therapies such as homeopathy.

Homeopathy, a holistic medicine and a naturopathic modality, can be effective in the treatment of many first aid situations. If you know what questions to ask and what signs to look for, it can quickly alleviate the pain of a sprained ankle, the soreness of a bruise, or the hot sting of a yellow jacket.

While it is considered a complementary and alternative medicine in the states, homeopathy is conventional in most of Europe, South America, India and Mexico. A survey conducted by the British Medical Journal showed that 42% of British medical doctors referred their patients to professional homeopaths. The percentage is even higher in France. Effective homeopathic treatment depends on individualization. Because homeopaths treat people rather than diagnoses, a thorough understanding of the individual's first aid signs and symptoms is necessary. Everyone is unique, and how people respond to an acute injury is equally unique.

Take for example insect bites or stings.

Billy, a budding 10 year-old center fielder, has taken the field. It's the bottom of the third with two down, and his team is up 3 to 1. It's the pitch... and suddenly there's a yelp from deep center field. Billy is hopping about, vigorously shaking his right hand, he's been stung by a wasp.

Fortunately, the inning ends with a ground out to first and Billy comes running in looking for the team physician, his mom. Fortunately, Billy's mom knows some homeopathic first aid and whips out her kit. She examines the area, and first carefully removes the stinger with her tweezers. She astutely notices that the area around the sting is a little purplish in color, and rather surprisingly, feels cool to the touch. Billy confirms that the area feels cold, and in spite of this, asks for some ice for the area. "This is very unique and characteristic", mom thinks, "just the kind of individualizing homeopathic symptom that is useful for prescribing."

She immediately reaches for the homeopathic ledum palustre, and Billy dissolves 3 pellets under his tongue. Within minutes Billy has forgotten his wasp encounter, the sensation of coldness has decreased, and he's at the plate about to send a blooper into shallow left center field for a single!

Another commonly prescribed remedy for insect bites and stings is apis mellifica, the venom of a honeybee. If Billy had needed apis, the sight of the wasp sting would have been swollen with considerable stinging pain. Like with ledum, he would be requesting a cold application for the site.

What about bumps and bruises?

Molly, 14 and an exceptional skateboarder, had been given a brand new skateboard for her birthday. Excited to head down to the skate-park and try out her new board, she began with some warm up tricks-connected on a smooth frontside 5-0, then pulled off several flawless kickflips. Just as the other (very impressed) skaters at the park were commenting on Molly's last kickflip, she attempted a high arching ollie-not an easy maneuver. She lost it, and fell hard on her right elbow. Pain tore up her arm to her shoulder, and down to her hand.

Though it was clear nothing was broken, the area started bruising immediately. Her friends approached her, but she waved them off, fearful she'd be jarred by their touch. As her homeopath mom provided ice to decrease the swelling, she asked Molly what the pain felt like. Molly said her arm felt as if it had taken a hard blow, like it had been beaten. She added that everything felt hard on it, even the soft pillow on the couch.

Molly's mom, based on this information, knew exactly what remedy she needed and gave her a moderately high dose of homeopathic arnica montana. Molly fell asleep that night without much trouble and awoke the next morning with minimal pain and significantly less bruising than expected. She even made it out to the skate-park that afternoon for some more high-flying fun!

Arnica is the most common homeopathic remedy for trauma and bruises. Even some plastic surgeons in Edmonds are recommending it to decrease bruising and swelling after face-lifts and rhinoplasties!

There are many other homeopathic remedies that are useful for treating common first aid situations. After asking a few pertinent questions and using good observational skills, it is often possible to alleviate considerable discomfort without suppressive anti-histamines or painkillers.



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