“I'm a mother of twin 4-year-old-boys with autism and aphasia. In my research for things that my boys can benefit from I came across Lok- Kwan, who is an expert in neuro-acupuncture! He has been very helpful in helping my kids become more verbal and expanding their language…I'm glad I stepped out of the box and tried acupuncture, something I wouldn't normally try with kids who are only four years old."
Neuro-acupuncture can have a positive impact in childhood autism and aphasia.
Parents should approach with the understanding that these young patients are often not cooperative so optimal delivery of treatments is not always possible. Also, treatment effects are not immediate so patience and persistence are the key.
Autism and Communication Problems Autism (ASD)
is a condition that starts early in life and makes it hard for children to talk to others and make friends. It affects more boys than girls. Children with autism might do the same things over and over, like flapping their hands, and they often find loud noises or certain touches painful. Aphasia is a general term for having a hard time understanding or using words. Some kids are born with it, while others get it after a head injury.
Losing Skills (Regression)
Some children grow normally at first but then suddenly lose the skills they already learned, like speaking or using the bathroom. This is called regression. It often happens in autism, but it can also be a sign of a rare condition called Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (LKS). In LKS, a child’s brain has strange electrical activity, like mini-seizures, especially while they are asleep, which causes them to lose their language skills.
How the Brain Works and How to Help
The autistic brain is "wired" differently or has trouble sending signals between its different parts. While there is no single "cure," early help is very important. Speech therapy helps children learn to communicate. One interesting method uses music and rhythm (like singing and tapping) to help children who can’t talk finally say their first words.