Study Children with Autism Spectrum Study Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Using Symptom Disorders Using Symptom

Differentiation of Traditional Chinese Differentiation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)Medicine (TCM)

Study Children with Autism Spectrum Study Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Using Symptom Disorders Using Symptom

Differentiation of Traditional Chinese Differentiation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)Medicine (TCM)

CL Wong and VCN WongCL Wong and VCN WongDepartment of Paediatrics and Adolescent Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent

Medicine, the University of Hong Kong Medicine, the University of Hong Kong

Presentation Outline• Prevalence of Autism Spectrum

Disorders (ASD)• Our research - objectives - method - findings• 2 cases

Epidemiology• 1960s- “classical autism”- 4/10 000• 1985- “ASD”- 62.6/10 000 in UK• 71/10 000 in Sweden• 61/10 000(3-10yr) in USA• 2000- “ASD”- 60/10 000• Male:Female 4.3(mean)

• 46. Fombonne E. Epidemiology of pervasive developmental disorders. Trends in Evidence-Based Neuropsychiatry 2003;5(1):29–36.

• Merrick J et al.Trends in autism. Int J Adolesc Med Health.

Epidemiology• 2006- autism- 1.8 million cases in China

(13.9/10 000)• >10 000 cases in Shanghai (6.2/10 000)• prevalence in China is largely unknown

• SHanghai Daily News reported in China View - www.chinaview.cn 2005-11-29 viewed April 2006 • "Epidemiologic Research on Autism in China" 2006 U.S. National Institutes of Health

Previous research

• Diagnosis• TCM symptom differentiation• Patients too irritated during

acupuncture

Objectives• TCM symptom differentiation of

ASD• TCM treatment for ASD• Minimal acupuncture points

Method• Diagnosis by paediatricians, neurolog

ists, autism specific assessment teams

• CARS, ADOS• Symptom differentiation by TCM prac

titioner• Videos and photos

Subjects• DKCH & QMH paediatric neurology cli

nic• n=19+• Autism/ Autism Spectrum Disorders

(ASD)/ Asperger’s Syndrome

ResultsPatients can appear as a combination of problems

Type Manifestation N

Phlegm obstruction

Problem with speech and communication, poor social interaction, obsessive behavior, poor eye contact

19

Obstruction of Liver Qi

Emotional problems 12

Qi Deficiency

(Kidney, Spleen)

Congenital problem, developmental delay

Tongue

Tongue

Tongue

Tongue

Tongue

Case 1• M/ 20y• Autism, MR, Epilepsy• No meaningful single word• Difficulty in protruding his tongue• Poor imitation• Placid• Seldom appears temper tantrums• TCM: Phlegm obstruction

Tongue

Tongue

Tongue

Tongue

Tongue

Tongue

Tongue

Acupuncture points• DU15 啞門• HT5 通裏• Jin’s 3 Needling 舌三針• Chiu’s Head scalp acupuncture 焦氏

頭皮針－言語二、三區

Case 2• M/ 11y• Asperger Sx, Oromotor dyspraxia, Obesity• Normal IQ, read a lot of book• Unwilling to communicate verbally• Poor articulation• Poor eye contact• Difficulty in protruding and moving his tongue• Poor temper, special fear to sand• Deep slippery pluse• TCM: Phlegm obstruction

Tongue

Tongue

Tongue

Acupuncture points• Jin’s 3 Needling 舌三針

Future research• More cases• Duration of effect• Course of treatment• Extent of improvement• Different acupuncture point• Well designed clinical trial