Hi there and welcome to this week’s blog post which is all about Aspergers and OCD. I am a day early with the article this week as I’m taking my 2 year old daughter camping tomorrow, and they don’t seem to have internet access in fields yet!

Thanks again for all the great questions and feedback that have poured in over the past week to help inform my future Aspergers ebooks. I am still sorting through them now so there’s still just time to add a question to my ever-growing list if you would like at … http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/public/313.cfm

This week’s question is –

Question

My son has Aspergers and OCD and he will have hand tremors that he is not aware of. I am trying a more holistic approach but this is not covered by insurance. I wish I knew which ones were beneficial and which ones are not beneficial.

Answer

Traditional treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder involves a combination of medication and behavioral therapy techniques. The traditional medicines used in this process are SSRI’s, or serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors.

Many parents do not want to treat their children suffering from OCD with these traditional methods, but turn to holistic methods of treatment. Because holistic therapies are designed to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms of a disease or disorder, holistic approaches appeal to many people. Holistic therapies can be added to traditional medical approaches, or can be tried by themselves.

Holistic practices often take into consideration lifestyle factors and address physical aspects of treatment, nutritional aspects, environmental, and social and spiritual elements. In seeking alternative treatments, take into consideration your beliefs and practices.

Holistic therapies for OCD are designed to relieve mental anguish. Many people find yoga and meditation to be effective in calming the mind and the body and strengthening the connection between the two. Aromatherapy can help a person reach a more peaceful and harmonious place. Hypnotherapy and acupuncture have also been found to be successful in treating various disorders. Behavioral therapies are often effective in conjunction with some of these alternative treatments.

In her book, “Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder,” Tamar E. Chansky has created a step-by-step program designed to help parents work with children to free them from the cycle of OCD. This program was created with the goal of helping the child take back control of his life using these techniques. The techniques are designed to work with children who are either on or off medication. This method can be very effective in helping a child break free of this debilitating disorder.

It is difficult to say which holistic methods will work best with your child. Speak with your child’s physician and gain his help in creating a treatment plan for you child. Also solicit advice from trusted holistic practitioners who can suggest a holistic course of treatment.

Thanks and have a great week,

Dave Angel

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Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

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Fears of suicide for the child with Asperger’s

Children who have Asperger’s Syndrome are more susceptible to mental health issues (including thoughts of suicide) than the general population, especially during adolescence. Because of their difficulty with decoding social cues and information and their problems translating the world in a way they can understand, children with Asperger’s tend to feel isolated and alone. These feelings can be exacerbated by …

To read the full article go to: –

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/319.cfm

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What techniques should I be teaching my son with Aspergers to help him maintain his self-esteem throughout his adult years?

Helping your son develop his sense of self esteem throughout his developing years will give him a very strong foundation on which to create his adult self image. Because you have nurtured and supported him throughout his childhood, your son will be entering adulthood with a healthy sense of self-esteem. Establishing yourself as an adult can be a difficult time for any person. Making the transition from student to a functioning adult with a job and responsibilities can be challenging. Encourage your son to …

To read the full article go to: –

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/317.cfm

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My son is a full time college student and doing well with that. But he has an obsession with smoking cigarettes and cannabis — what should I do?

Celebrate the fact that your son is in college full time and doing well! That is a great accomplishment and one that you are surely proud of. Take this to mean that you have helped your son become independent and successful in his pursuits. The challenge for any parent, not just the parent of a child with Asperger’s is how to …

To read the full article go to: –

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/318.cfm

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