Homeopathy and ASD/ ADD

[FreshWest]

Does anybody have any experience of homeopathic remedies used for ASD and add? It's amongst a few things I've been looking into to help dd, the Internet obviously is full of miracle cures which I'm treating sceptically.
Which brings me to ask the collective knowledgable wisdom of MNSN.

Any info both positive and negative welcome. in advance for any help.

I have a science degree and work in medicine, homeopathy works for my son.
I can't see that there is placebo effect as he has no idea what he's taking or why. I just accept that there are things I can't understand now without feeling aggro about them like I used to when I was younger

Yes and I just accept that there are charlatans out there cashing in on vulnerable people. I don't need to be patronised thanks - I'm no spring chicken.

Perhaps the placebo affect is on you not him.

Totally placebo I'm afraid, sorry. What elements are you trying to target? I'm sure you're very familiar with different techniques to help but I've seen very good results from ABA therapy.

That wasn't aimed at you inappropriatelyemployed
But that was a hugely patronising response you have nevertheless.

Gave*

Highly recommend this book by two respected academics in the field of ASD, which reviews various treatment options and the science behind them.

There definitely are some charlatans cashing in on vulnerable people so I wouldn't spend thousands on 'miracle cures' (my own experiment with homeopathy cost me 20 mins research and £4.99) However, there are an infinite number of problems that science doesn't have the answer to yet and the autistic spectrum is full of those, as yet, unresolved problems. If we only explore avenues that are supported by peer reviewed double blind studies then our options are severely limited.
My ds has responded brilliantly to a vitamin supplement which has DMG in it. there is no scientific evidence for it whatsoever but when we started it the results were startling within a week and when we have experimented with stopping it his behaviour has deteriorated very quickly. That is all the evidence I need to keep spending £20 a month on it- I'd pay five times that for the wonderful effect
My stance (i hope) is to remain guardedly open minded.

Head over to Treating Autism Fresh (probably a better place for biomed type questions than mumsnet) - they have a Facebook page where you can ask this sort of question. There is a homeopath who was recommended on there recently who provides a lot of treatment for free (not sure whether there is a qualifying income level or anything - the post I saw it sounded as if he just did it for free).

I haven't used homeopathy for autism as such, although have had good results myself (and with my severely autistic son who had no concept of medicines for many many years). TBH I don't care whether it's placebo or not, if it works - whether through energy or placebo - I'd rather use it than a pharmaceutical drug.

I've always heard that its well known that "all interventions work" because of it bring an intervention which is positive action, change of behaviour etc. the issue is how long an intervention works and whether its effects last. There has been a campaign for some time to stop NHS funding for homeopathy so don't assume it means that it is some sort of endorsement. Where I live we have the London (or is it Royal?) Homeopathic hospital which I was referred to myself by my GP some years ago for Scleroderma and its symptoms. I went to shut up nagging relatives (mil mostly) who kept on about me trying it and I had an open mind. I found it useless and a bit of a burden, e.g. how and when to take the tiny pills which I dropped in my handbag and gave up on. I was too ill to cope with it and had enough on my plate. All the practitioners at that hospital are medical doctors who have further trained and never tell you to stop other treatments (thank god). I also seem to remember there being a prize put up some years ago if $1,000,000 to anyone who could prove the effectiveness of homeopathy. I can't give links or references because I just don't remember, it's not made up, and the prize was unclaimed afaik. Maybe someone else remembers this?

The Royal London Homeopathic hospital had it's funding withdrawn and was closed by the NHS last time I heard exactly because there was no evidence to prove that it produced results worthy of the cash it was getting.

I've heard a lot of the 'pharmaceutical companies are only interested in certain types of results so that's what gets funded' argument, but there are really thousands of competent and trustworthy scientists who are rigorous in their approach to testing and who get their funds from non-pharmaceutical sources like universities and charities. If they haven't proved it works yet, they're very unlikely to now.

WildandWoolly Nope, it's still running and funded by the NHS .. part of the University College London Hospital NHS Trust ... here: www.uclh.org/OURSERVICES/OURHOSPITALS/RLHIM/Pages/Home.aspx

It was interesting reading the "Impossible Cure" website. Particularly the disclaimer, which includes:

Nor does it make any warranties or guarantees of any sort that any of the information provided in the book (or that provided in any of the books, material, or the services of any practitioner recommended within the book or this web site) will produce any particular medical, physical, emotional or other result. This book is not intended to be a replacement for good medical diagnosis and treatment by a licensed physician or for care by a certified health-care practitioner

In other words - don't blame me if you follow my guidance and you don't get the results I claim you'll get.

Rational they are required to include that disclaimer by law as their practices aren't part of the health dept conventional treatment, although some NHS docs to practice in it and will refer you to one .. mine did.

Had homeopathy as a child myself for a medical condition difficult to treat. Homeopath promised good improvement, charged a lot and did nothing. Badly ripped off.

I now have reflexology for a difficult medical condition and it works for me.

Another friend of a friend does reflexology on me and it doesnt help.

Have concluded that these treatments dont work in themself - they are quackery. But sometimes the placebo effect works and sometimes I believe that certain individuals are healers or special and they are the one who has the effect. There is a long tradition of healers so not really surprising.

I wouldnt bother having homeopathy for autism because it is IMHO totally discredited -but might take my child to someone who had a well proven track record in helping autistic children - it would be for their personal effect.