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Advanced Neurology ASD treatment through acupuncture

The significance of this case report lies in its detailed was conducted to rule out abnormal brain activity, ensuring
presentation of a clinical scenario where Liu’s PNRAT has that no underlying neurological issues were present. The
shown remarkable effectiveness. The case underscores Conners’ rating scales and the Conners parent rating scale
the potential of integrating traditional acupuncture with (CPRS) provided a comprehensive evaluation of behavioral
contemporary medical practices to address complex issues, learning disabilities, and symptoms of ADHD,
neurological and developmental disorders like ASD. which are often comorbid with ASD. The digit attention
By documenting the patient’s transition from limited test specifically assessed attention deficits, a common
verbal communication and social challenges to thriving problem in ASD. The SNAP-IV stands for Swanson, Nolan,
in a mainstream school setting, this report provides and Pelham-IV offered a detailed assessment of ADHD
compelling evidence supporting acupuncture as a symptoms and oppositional defiance. The Chinese Wechsler
complementary therapeutic option for ASD. This case intelligence scale for children (C-WISC) was used to measure
report not only highlights the potential benefits of Liu’s cognitive abilities and identify intellectual disabilities. The
PNRAT in managing ASD symptoms but also emphasizes childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and autism behavior
the importance of further research. It advocates for the checklist (ABC) were employed to assess the severity of
integration of acupuncture into broader therapeutic autism symptoms. Finally, the speech assessment evaluated
frameworks to enhance the quality of life for individuals the child’s linguistic and cognitive impairments, which is
with ASD. The findings presented here pave the way for crucial for tailoring the therapeutic approach. Together,
larger-scale studies and clinical trials to validate the these tools provided a holistic view of the child’s condition,
efficacy of acupuncture and refine treatment protocols, informing the targeted intervention strategy.
ultimately contributing to a more holistic approach to ASD The diagnostic assessments revealed a range of issues
management. in the patient (Table 1 and Figures S1-4). A normal EEG
2. Case presentation ruled out any significant brain abnormalities. The CPRS
and Conners’ rating scales indicated mild behavioral
A 6-year-old girl was first seen on September 26, 2023, problems, attention deficits, and learning disabilities,
presenting with long-standing difficulties in expressive with additional signs of mild anxiety and depression. The
language and unclear speech. She exhibited limited SNAP-IV score confirmed moderate symptoms of ADHD,
spontaneous speech, with unclear articulation, and was with a focus on inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
unable to articulate phrases of more than three words. The child’s performance on the C-WISC was below average,
She can only comprehend simple instructions and indicating a mild intellectual disability. The CARS and
demonstrates slightly poor execution ability, along with ABC scores fell in the borderline and suspicious ranges,
inadequate comprehension, response, and logical thinking. respectively, suggesting a possible diagnosis of ASD. The
Her memory and social adaptation are poor, making it speech assessment highlighted significant impairments
difficult for her to learn addition and subtraction within in spontaneous expression, articulation, memory, social
ten, which hinders her ability to attend primary school. She adaptation, and learning abilities, leading to an additional
exhibits occasional violent and destructive behaviors and is diagnosis of articulation disorder. Based on these results,
toilet-trained for urination but requires parental assistance the child’s primary diagnoses were ASD, intellectual
for defecation. She began speaking spontaneously developmental disorder, ADHD, and articulation disorder.
around the age of 2 and started walking independently at These assessments formed the basis for the tailored
18 months. She has a fair appetite, drinks less water, and acupuncture treatment plan.
complains of occasional abdominal pain (with a history of
intussusception). Her bowel movements occur once every 2.1. Combined TCM and conventional approaches
1 – 2 days and are slightly dry. She frequently tosses and The treatment principle for the patient with ASD, in this case,
turns at night, prefers prone positioning, and occasionally combines the concepts of “clearing the mind,” “enhancing
grinds her teeth. On examination, her tongue is pale red intelligence,” and “brain health.” These principles are
with a white, slippery coating, and her pulse is deep and rooted in TCM’s understanding of ASD as a result of
string-like. She was born at full term through vaginal congenital deficiencies and inadequate nourishment of the
delivery, weighing 2.9 kg and measuring 50 cm, with no brain, which affects the heart, spleen, liver, and kidneys.
history of neonatal jaundice or asphyxia. By addressing these imbalances, TCM aims to improve
The specific assessment instruments (Table 1) used cognitive, emotional, and social functioning.
in this case were selected for their established reliability Before initiating the procedures, the patient’s parents
and validity in evaluating various dimensions of ASD and were provided with a consent form. The form outlined
associated conditions. An electroencephalogram (EEG) several important points, emphasizing the relationship

Volume 3 Issue 4 (2024) 3 doi: 10.36922/an.3783