Effectiveness of Individualized Homoeopathic Treatment in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. The burden of ASD is substantial, and current management is largely supportive, multidisciplinary, and individualized rather than curative.who+2 Complementary and alternative approaches, including homoeopathy, are sought by many families, although the current evidence base remains limited and methodologically heterogeneous.

Objective: To describe the baseline clinical and psychometric profile of children with ASD receiving individualized homoeopathic care in routine practice and to explore the potential clinical relevance of individualized homoeopathic treatment within a prospective observational framework.

Methods: This study was designed as a prospective observational case series based on 8 pediatric cases with documented ASD or prominent autistic features and available developmental, behavioural, and psychometric records. Baseline information was extracted from reports generated by recognized clinical centres and included sociodemographic data, developmental history, behavioural observations, cognitive/developmental testing, adaptive functioning, autism severity measures, and coexisting behavioural symptoms.Standardized tools represented across cases included the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS-2), Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA), Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS), Binet-Kamat Test of Intelligence (BKT), Developmental Screening Test (DST), Conners Parent Rating Scale-Revised, and Developmental Psychopathology Check-List.

Results: All 8 cases were male and demonstrated marked heterogeneity in age, intellectual functioning, adaptive behaviour, autism severity, and behavioural comorbidity. Delayed speech/language, impaired social reciprocity, poor eye contact or name response, and adaptive deficits were common baseline features across the series. Cognitive functioning ranged from borderline intelligence to severe intellectual disability, while autism severity ranged from autistic features/minimal symptoms to moderate autism depending on the scale used. Several children also showed coexisting inattention, hyperactivity, tantrums, aggression, seizure history, or neurological abnormalities. Taken together, the baseline case material supports the clinical complexity of ASD presentations encountered in homoeopathic practice and the need for individualized management strategies.

Conclusion: Individualized homoeopathic treatment may have potential clinical relevance as a supportive and person-centered approach in children with ASD presenting with heterogeneous developmental and behavioural difficulties. However, the present dataset is strongest for baseline characterization and observational interpretation rather than definitive efficacy assessment, and larger prospective controlled studies with standardized repeated outcome measures are required before firm conclusions can be drawn regarding effectiveness..