Is QST Autism Massage Right for My Child?
Research studies show that QST autism massage is a safe and effective therapy for autism in children under the age of 12. QST autism massage is the only autism therapy that is effective for all symptoms of autism - behavioral, sensory, social and language - and it is the only autism therapy that is effective for all children with autism, no matter how severe. The therapy can be given at home by the parent and is the least expensive of all the autism therapies. If your child has autism and does not have any of the contraindications listed below, then QST autism massage is the best treatment for your child. To read about training options for parents click here.
Contraindications to giving and receiving QST autism massage
There are five contraindications to QST autism massage. Here they are, along with the reasons for them:
1. Uncontrolled seizures. We do not recommend that parents start QST massage on children with uncontrolled seizures without the support of a QST therapist. This is because gentle tapping on the head can precipitate a seizure in these children. The QST therapist can modify the massage for children with seizures and we recommend that parents wanting to learn the modified approach work with a QST therapist or sign up for our QST Course for Parents.
2. Other neurological conditions such as Down syndrome. The QST autism protocol is specific for autism. There is a different qigong massage protocol for children with Down syndrome (available in our bookstore). For children with both autism and Down syndrome, we recommend working with a QST therapist (see Parent options page).
3. Parents are on the autism spectrum themselves. Adults with ASD also lack normal responses to touch. To attune QST massage to their child, parents must be able to see and feel their child’s responses to touch. If they are unable to do so, treatment is unpleasant and ineffective. In our experience, being on the autism spectrum is a contraindication to mastering the skills needed to give QST massage.
4. Another intensive autism treatment is planned to begin at the same time as QST. QST is an intensive autism treatment. Starting two Intensive autism treatments at the same time can overload your child's nervous system. If your child has a strong reaction, you will not know which treatment is causing it, or how to manage it. Therefore we recommend starting one intensive treatment at a time. When your child is adjusted to one treatment, the second treatment can be added.
Drugs that delay progress with QST autism massage
1. Strong sedative medication. Because qigong massage works via the nervous system, certain sedatives e.g. gabapentin, can delay children's progress with the massage. In these children, it can take much longer to see results from the massage.
Contraindications to giving and receiving QST autism massage
There are five contraindications to QST autism massage. Here they are, along with the reasons for them:
1. Uncontrolled seizures. We do not recommend that parents start QST massage on children with uncontrolled seizures without the support of a QST therapist. This is because gentle tapping on the head can precipitate a seizure in these children. The QST therapist can modify the massage for children with seizures and we recommend that parents wanting to learn the modified approach work with a QST therapist or sign up for our QST Course for Parents.
2. Other neurological conditions such as Down syndrome. The QST autism protocol is specific for autism. There is a different qigong massage protocol for children with Down syndrome (available in our bookstore). For children with both autism and Down syndrome, we recommend working with a QST therapist (see Parent options page).
3. Parents are on the autism spectrum themselves. Adults with ASD also lack normal responses to touch. To attune QST massage to their child, parents must be able to see and feel their child’s responses to touch. If they are unable to do so, treatment is unpleasant and ineffective. In our experience, being on the autism spectrum is a contraindication to mastering the skills needed to give QST massage.
4. Another intensive autism treatment is planned to begin at the same time as QST. QST is an intensive autism treatment. Starting two Intensive autism treatments at the same time can overload your child's nervous system. If your child has a strong reaction, you will not know which treatment is causing it, or how to manage it. Therefore we recommend starting one intensive treatment at a time. When your child is adjusted to one treatment, the second treatment can be added.
Drugs that delay progress with QST autism massage
1. Strong sedative medication. Because qigong massage works via the nervous system, certain sedatives e.g. gabapentin, can delay children's progress with the massage. In these children, it can take much longer to see results from the massage.