This is the story of a 7 year old boy who started homeopathic treatment with me this time last year. He had been going to see an Occupational therapist and Naturopath for years. His naturopathic treatment focused on addressing several root causes discovered through testing - mitochondria dysfunction, leaky gut, heavy metal toxicity, mold toxicity, yeast overgrowth and low iron. He was also on a strict gluten free -dairy free diet.

As you can see from his MYMOP** below his parents main concerns was his social skills, selective mutism*, disruptiveness in class (emotional dysregulation) and his inability to complete non-preferred tasks.

* Selective mutism is a complex childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a child’s inability to speak and communicate effectively in select social settings, such as school. These children are able to speak and communicate in settings where they are comfortable, secure, and relaxed. More than 90% of children with Selective Mutism also have social phobia or social anxiety.

** MYMOP is an outcome measure tool for measuring what clients want to 'come out of the treatment'. These choices are written down in the patient’s own words and the client scores them for severity over the past week on a seven-point scale: 0 = as good as it can be, 6 = as bad as it can be. A one point reduction in score is clinically significant.

The timeline below outlines the changes in response to homeopathic remedies over the last 12 months. He had 6 consultations with me during that time.

Main issues discussed at his first consultation

🌼 Disruptive in class, runs around the classroom.

🌼 If he doesn't want to do something he will lie on the ground and refuse to get up.

🌼 Poor focus for non-preferred tasks. Distracted and daydreaming when doing home-work.

🌼 Throwing things at school.

🌼 Low frustration tolerance, sometimes aggressive and destructive.

🌼 Impulsivity.

🌼 Selective mutism, doesn't talk to his friends at all, will talk to parents and teachers only.

🌼 Doesn't initiate talking, slow to reply to questions. Hides behind mother, finds sudden attention overwhelming.

🌼 Anxiety in new situations.

🌼 Social skills are an area of concern, bangs into school friends as a way of connecting, ignores his sister at home, and kids in the playground.

🌼 Much slower in his movements than his peers, weak core, low tone.

🌼 Sensory sensitivities, scared of blinking lights and electronic doors. Seeks proprioception.

Response to 1st prescription

🌼 Talking to children now 🎉

🌼 Playing with children he doesn't know at the playground.

🌼 More chatty at home.

🌼 No longer lying down in the classroom.

🌼 Stopped throwing things.

🌼 Able to calm down faster instead of raging on and on. Frequency and duration of meltdowns have reduced.

🌼 Frustration tolerance has increased.

🌼 More fidgety, always touching things, air writing.

🌼 Requires one-to-one support at all times to do homework/ worksheets.

Response to 2nd prescription

🌼 Talking to his friends a lot, and in the classroom.

🌼 Great leaps socially, chatting to different groups at the playground. He's initiating a chat.

🌼 No walking around in class.

🌼 Participating in class, teachers have to ask him to give others a chance.

🌼 Emotion regulation, calms down very fast, doesn't hit his sister anymore. Meltdowns less than 5 mins.

🌼 One-to-one focus is much better. Still very distracted in a group setting. Avoids non-preferred tasks e.g spelling, phonics by being silly.

🌼 Touching friends inappropriately but will stop when he is told.

🌼 Singing in school when he's not meant to.

🌼 Mom would like to work on his independence and frustration tolerance with difficult tasks.

Response to 3rd prescription

🌼 His pace has improved, and does a good mix of activities.

🌼 Running around and having fun with kids at the playground.

🌼 Happy and proud of himself, asked mom to video him playing with kids. He wanted to follow a friend home!

🌼 Initiates conversation and maintains dialogue.

🌼 More compliant.

🌼 Stronger connection with mom.

🌼 Air writing stopped.

🌼 Humming and stimming in school, and increased at home. Started a week before he started at a new school.

🌼 Increase in obsession looking at lights, old tendency.

🌼 Some new inappropriate behaviour.

🌼 No meltdowns or crying.

🌼 Refusing to do worksheets.

🌼 Walking around again in class, fidgety.

Response to 4th prescription

🌼 Behaviour wise doing really well. Can control himself better. Still some emotional dysregulation.

🌼 No complaints from school.

🌼 Higher tolerance for difficult work, he will sit at a table for 30-60 mins.

🌼 Completing his work sheets.

🌼 Balance has improved. He's enjoying going rollerblading.

🌼 Having conversations with his sister and very caring towards her.

🌼 Frustration tolerance is better.

🌼 Stimming has reduced.

🌼 Inappropriate behaviour stopped.

Response to 5th prescription

🌼 Ability to focus and sit still is very good, 70% better.

🌼 Can sit independently and do his homework for 45 minutes.

🌼 Pretend play has increased.

🌼 Regulating more easily when he does have an emotional outburst.

🌼 Intensity of melt downs decreased. Not throwing things now.

🌼 Having longer conversations with friends. Good interaction with other kids.

The rate of progress in this case is fairly typical of the homeopathic process i.e. gradual changes on the mental, emotional, cognitive and physical levels over a period of time. It is highly recommended to commit to the process for at least one year for all complex children's conditions.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and not intended to replace the advice of your physician or health care provider. First aid situations may require medical or hospital care. Do not use this article as a means to diagnose a health condition. Speak to your doctor if you think that your condition may be serious, before discontinuing any medication that has been prescribed for you, or before starting any new treatment.