Case Report: Ayurveda Management of Autism

Presenter: Dr. Simran Harobelavadi (2nd Year PG Scholar) Guide: Dr. Srihari S, MD(Ayu) PhD Department: Kaumarabhritya, JSS Ayurveda Medical College & Hospital, Mysuru

Patient Profile

ABC, 5-year-old Hindu male from Mysuru

Chief Complaints

Speech delay, poor eye contact, reduced social interaction (since age 3)
Poor attention, concentration, and reduced physical activity

History

Healthy until 9 months; speech did not develop thereafter
From ~1 year 8 months: poor eye contact, no peer play, self-engaging behavior (finger-mouthing, repetitive sounds)
Mobile phone addiction (>2 hrs/day, age 1-2 years)
Prior treatment: Speech & Occupational therapy for 2 years - minimal improvement
Birth: FTLSCS, BW 3.4 kg; mother had hyperemesis gravidarum up to 8 months; physiological jaundice (1-day phototherapy)

Examination Findings

Thin build, average nourishment, vitals stable
CNS: Conscious, alert, speaks bisyllables, short attention span
All systems normal; muscle power 5/5, normotonic

Ayurvedic Assessment

Parameter	Finding
Prakriti	Vata-Kaphaja
Vikruthi	Tridosha (V+K)
Dosha involved	Prana Vata, Udana Vata, Tarpaka & Avalambaka Kapha; Tamas & Rajas (Manasika)
Srotas affected	Rasavaha & Manovaha (Sanga/Vimargagamana)
Diagnosis	ASD (resembling Kaphaja Unmada)
Sadhyasadhyata	Kruchra Sadhya (difficult to cure)

Treatment Given

Shamana Aushadhi (Internal): Kalyanaka Avaleha + Saraswatarishta with gold - for cognitive enhancement (Medhya), speech, and mental clarity
External Therapy: Abhyanga with Ashwagandha Taila followed by Shastika Shali Pinda Sweda (SSPS) - Vatahara, Balya, improved circulation and neuromuscular coordination
Basti Therapy: Hapushadi Yapana Basti - targets gut-brain axis, gut microbiome modulation, improves Buddhi, Medha, and Agni

Results

ISAA score reduced from 87 to 81
Improved eye contact, social initiation, and speech
Child started mingling with peers, recognizes relatives, speaks 1-2 meaningful words
Improvement was faster than under speech/occupational therapy alone

Conclusion

ASD presentation varies per child; Ayurveda can serve as an effective adjunct to conventional therapy
Combined Shamana + Shodhana therapies with Speech & Occupational therapy produced noticeable improvements in social, language, and adaptive milestones in a short duration
Integrative Ayurveda approach targeting neurodevelopmental and systemic health is recommended for ASD management

give introduction on this

Reading File

Searching the Web

Autism Spectrum Disorder Ayurveda management introduction neurodevelopmental

Finding Sources

Searching PubMed

"autism spectrum disorder" epidemiology neurodevelopmental

Reading File

Here is a well-structured introduction for this case report, drawing from the presentation content and authoritative medical sources:

Introduction

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex, phenotypically heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by persistent deficits in social communication, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, and atypical sensory processing. First formally recognized in the early 20th century and now classified under DSM-5 as a spectrum, ASD collapses what were previously five distinct diagnoses - autistic disorder, Asperger disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder NOS - into a single, unified continuum of varying severity.

The disorder is typically evident during the second year of life, often heralded by delayed language acquisition and diminished social responsiveness. In severe cases, reduced social interest may appear as early as the first year. Approximately one-third of children with ASD also exhibit intellectual disability, and a significant proportion show regression in previously acquired skills. The global prevalence of ASD has risen considerably, with the CDC reporting approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States diagnosed with ASD, reflecting both increased awareness and broadened diagnostic criteria.

Etiology is multifactorial, involving polygenic heritability, prenatal environmental exposures, and perinatal risk factors. Excessive screen time during early childhood, reduced language-rich interaction, and adverse birth events have increasingly been implicated in developmental delays that overlap with ASD features. Conventional management largely relies on behavioral interventions such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), along with Speech Therapy (ST) and Occupational Therapy (OT). However, response to these therapies is variable, and a substantial subset of children show only partial improvement.

This limitation has generated growing interest in integrative and complementary approaches. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers a holistic framework for understanding and managing neurodevelopmental conditions. ASD, within Ayurvedic nosology, closely resembles conditions such as Unmada (disordered cognition and behavior) and Manas Vikara (mental disorders), involving vitiation of Vata (particularly Prana and Udana) and Kapha (Tarpaka and Avalambaka), along with Manasika Doshas - Tamas and Rajas. The involvement of Manovaha and Rasavaha Srotas explains the observed deficits in sensory processing, communication, and adaptive functioning.

Ayurvedic therapeutic modalities - including Medhya Rasayana (nootropic formulations), Panchakarma (detoxification procedures), Abhyanga (medicated oil massage), Shastika Shali Pinda Sweda (bolus fomentation), and Basti (medicated enema) - are believed to act on the gut-brain axis, improve neuromuscular coordination, enhance cerebral circulation, and restore Dosha equilibrium.

This case report presents the Ayurvedic management of a 5-year-old male child diagnosed with ASD, who showed minimal response to conventional Speech and Occupational therapy over two years. The aim is to document the clinical outcomes of an integrative Ayurvedic treatment protocol and to explore its potential as an adjunct to conventional neurodevelopmental therapies.

Sources: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry; Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry | Tafolla M et al., Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan, Annu Rev Clin Psychol, 2025 [PMID: 39836874]

concise this information for single slide

Here is the introduction condensed for a single slide:

Introduction

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by:

Deficits in social communication & interaction
Restricted, repetitive behaviors and atypical sensory processing
Typically evident in the 2nd year of life; ~1 in 36 children affected globally

Etiology: Multifactorial - polygenic heritability, prenatal/perinatal risk factors, excessive screen time, reduced social stimulation

Conventional Management: Speech Therapy (ST) + Occupational Therapy (OT) + ABA - yet response remains variable and often partial

Ayurvedic Perspective:

Resembles Kaphaja Unmada / Manas Vikara
Involves vitiation of Vata (Prana, Udana) + Kapha (Tarpaka, Avalambaka) + Tamas & Rajas
Targets Manovaha & Rasavaha Srotas dysfunction

Aim: To document outcomes of an integrative Ayurvedic protocol (Shamana + Shodhana) as an adjunct to conventional therapies in a child with ASD showing minimal response to ST & OT over 2 years

This is a shared conversation. Sign in to Orris to start your own chat.