Ritalin Avoided in ADHD with Asperger’s – A case study

Child AB, age 9 was brought to clinic after his very patient class teacher suggested that he may need medication to help him focus and stop disrupting class. She had done her best but it was not working. His thoughtful and well-informed  parents wanted to do everything natural first and avoid giving him any psychiatric drugs ( Ritalin)
AB had been diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 7 and had been receiving Occupational Therapy which had helped him. The  bright 9yr old admitted his mind would wander off when the teacher was writing on the blackboard and he occupied his time with pretend play. Noises his classmates made,  disturbed him. So he would get upset at them and argue. Mum reported, though AB was a very affectionate child,  he had always found it difficult to socialize with his peer group and would resort to aggression out of frustration.
This scenario is very common even with children with purely ADD or ADHD. Problems with auditory receptivity, low concentration span and many times sensory sensitivities ( in this case the noises his classmates made) add to the child’s physical, social discomfort and aggravate his/ her restlessness.

Homeopathically Lycopodium was the indicated remedy.  Lycopodium was given daily in moderate doses.

With the first follow-up, a week later, the mother reported that he was much more focussed and less restless at home . He followed instructions better at football. His handwriting was less shabby.  His teacher sent an email home reporting  a ‘slight difference’. ‘He is responding to my instructions more quickly, cooperative  and  concentrates better at the task given .There have been occasions when he called out in class but it was because he was listening and wanted to contribute. In a group discussion AB did get frustrated  when not heard but controlled himself better’
She reported that when he completed his work quickly ( which was easy as he is intelligent and now focussed ) he did not disturb his classmates and was socializing more appropriately.     AB cheerfully admitted he did not feel the need to do the Superman play actions when he was free in class. Work was ‘ less boring’ and his classmates ‘less annoying ‘ as he cheekily put it. Carcinosinum was given as an antimiasmatic.

At the second follow-up 2 weeks later AB continued to improve .

Third follow-up after another 4 weeks showed continued improvement . The teacher reported his concentration was much better . He was completing his tasks and was more sociable towards his class mates. A one time dose of Lycopodium was given.

Such progress and avoidance of psychiatric drugs is commonly seen in a homeopathic practice. It is heartwarming to hear very verbal children explain the difference they feel with the homeopathic remedy. Once the child is better without the daily dosing. The child can be weaned of the Homeopathic remedies too. In a majority of the cases the progress made with the homeopathics continue after the appropriate and timely withdrawal of the homeopathic remedy, showing no  long-term dependency on the medication.