A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Based Screener for Autistic Spectral Symptoms

Abstract

Unlike most of the autism screeners that use the classical triad of impairments in social interaction, communication and stereotyped behaviors to identify autism, the present screener is based on the yin-yang concept of dualism relying on the eight principles of the Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) to understand autism. Though not validated yet, it can still be used as an alternative screening tool by parents, teachers and other interested parties, such as the TCM practitioners, to make an initial identification of someone displaying prodromal autistic spectral symptoms, ranging from one end of the continuum that shows signs of low passivity (yin) to the other end that shows signs of high activity or reactivity (yang) in responding to either eternal or internal stimuli. The screener is strictly not to be used as a diagnostic tool. However, its results may be used for a possible quick referral to the professionals for a formal assessment to be conducted so that early intervention can be provided before the condition becomes more serious over time.