Naturopathic medicine and homeopathy in particular have much to offer to children with special needs, including children with developmental disorders such as autism and Asperger's syndrome, as well as ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, aggression and anxiety.

According to 30 years of research by a Dr. Tinus Smits, an MD homeopath from Holland, children with these disorders have a blocked rather than damaged brain due to the side effects of repeated vaccinations, antibiotics and medications and vaccinations taken by the parents before or during the pregnancy.

Dr. Smits has developed a treatment program using homeopathic preparations of the different vaccines and medications to restore the child's brain and immune system to normal function. Please see his website at www.tinussmits.com for more information or oder his book "Autism, Beyond Despair", available at www.minimum.com. The book is not only about autism but also about all the other frequent neurologocal, behavioural and physical health problem seen so frequently in children these days.

I am now using his protocol in my practice.

In addition to using the homeopathic preparations of different vaccines, antibiotics and other medications, a few simple supplements, including vitamin C and fish oil are used to help these children. The homeopathic remedies are inexpensive, easing the financial burden on parents, and the remedies are non-toxic and easy to give to the children.

Although many children benefit from strict gluten and dairy free diets, this program does not require a strict diet, instead it heals the underlying imbalances in the child which caused the food sensitivities, again easing the burden on the family system.

I am looking forward to being much more effective in my ability to help those families with this new method, only published last year.