Treating autism in children using acupuncture.

Studies show that treating autistic children with traditional medicine and life skills education is effective. Children learn to communicate, listen, speak appropriately, and learn and absorb information better.

Symptoms of autism in children

According to Dr. Nguyen Quoc Van, Head of the Special Care and Treatment Department for Autistic Children at the Central Acupuncture Hospital, autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder affecting children's psychology, language, communication, social relationships, behavior, emotions, and intelligence, often appearing before the age of 3.

Currently, there are no studies worldwide that definitively determine the cause of autism, but several risk factors are believed to be involved. These include genetic factors such as weak genes, prenatal environmental factors, maternal infections or medication use during pregnancy, thyroid problems in pregnant women, and prenatal stress.

Symptoms of autism in children often appear before the age of 3, such as: not knowing how to smile, playing alone, poor eye contact, and lack of social interaction. Children may also repeat certain behaviors or body movements; have extremely short or no attention spans; not respond when called by name, as if deaf; and not know how to point or wave goodbye.

In Vietnam, there are currently no official studies or statistics on the number of children with autism. However, at the Central Acupuncture Hospital alone, in recent years, over 1,500 children with autism spectrum disorder have sought treatment annually.

Thread embedding, hydroacupuncture, and electroacupuncture for treating autism.

According to Dr. Van, although not yet a specific treatment method, more and more countries around the world are using acupuncture to treat children with autism spectrum disorder. Through stimulating acupoints using electroacupuncture, hydroacupuncture, thread embedding, acupuncture helps to clear heat, refresh the mind, open the orifices, nourish the five internal organs, replenish qi and blood, promote blood circulation, and balance yin and yang…

"Studies show that, to date, the effectiveness of treating autistic children with traditional medicine and life skills education has resulted in 60% integration, with over 20% of these children attending school. The children have learned to communicate with those around them, listen to their grandparents and parents, speak appropriately, and learn and absorb information better…," Dr. Van shared.

For children with autism spectrum disorder in particular, as well as those with intellectual disabilities, language impairments, hyperactivity, etc., parents need to seek treatment early. The best time for effective intervention is around 3 years old. At the same time, experts recommend combining non-drug treatments to promote the child's holistic development. This requires cooperation from the child's parents.

According to TNO