Abstract

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDERS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM – A SINGLE CASE REPORT

Dr. Shruti K.*, Dr. Divyasri R. A., Dr. Sudheer B. R.

Abstract

Introduction: Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) is a condition in which a child has difficulty in organizing and integrating sensory information for use. As a result, a child with SPD experiences challenges in acting on and adapting to sensory information, making it difficulty to participate in and enjoy many everyday tasks.[1] Rate of Sensory Processing Dysfunction may be as high as 90% in individual with autism.[2] Individuals with autism often exhibit a typical sensory processing including sensory seeking, sensory avoiding, and sensory modulation difficulties. From an Ayurvedic perspective, these features correlate with Indriyapradoshaja Vikaras arising due to uncoordinated activity of Manas or dysfunction of Manovaha Srotas in Indriya Adhisthana. Materials and Methods: A 4-year and 9-month-old male child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) based on DSM-5 criteria and assessed using the Child Sensory Profile–2, which revealed sensory dysfunction across the avoiding/avoider, sensitivity/sensor, and seeking/seeker response patterns, predominantly affecting the tactile, movement, oral, conduct, social–emotional, and attentional domains. The child was managed with Panchakarma treatment that included Yoga Basti, Sarvanga Abhyanga, Sarvanga Dhara, and Shirodhara. followed by internal medication Amalaki Avaleha as a discharge medication. It was administered over a period of 60 days, along with dietary and lifestyle modifications and a follow-up assessment done on the 0th, 30th, 60th, and 90th day to evaluate the sustained effect of therapeutic outcomes. Results: After 90 days of intervention, significant improvement was observed across all sensory processing domains. Touch (26→16), movement (30→17), and oral processing (38→20) showed marked reduction, with attention nearing normalization (26→22). Conduct responses decreased (33→28) and social-emotional scores improved (37→31). Sensory quadrant analysis also showed overall improvement: registration (39→29), sensitivity (47→35), avoiding (52→43), and seeking (67→53), indicating reduced sensory-related behavioural difficulties. Discussion and Conclusion: An autistic child with SPD having sensory dysfunction in touch, movement, oral, conduct, social emotional and attentional domains was managed effectively with Ayurvedic line of treatment both Shodhana and Shamana. The therapy was safe, well tolerated and no adverse effects were noted. Though limited by its single-case design, this report highlights the potential role of Ayurveda in managing sensory processing disorders in children with autism.

Keywords: Sensory Processing Disorders, Indriyapradoshaja Vikaras, Autism, Child Sensory Profile-2, DSM-5.