Tuina For Children 2023-2024

Acupuncture for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children

More and more children are being diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, and/or having some kind of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Autism
The world can be a challenging place for children who are neurodiverse. These young people experience physical, mental and emotional challenges which are far greater than the usual ups and downs of childhood.

Acupuncture is a fantastic method of supporting these young people. It can address specific physical or mental-emotional difficulties and help them to feel more comfortable in their own skin. It can also ease the intense emotions that may arise as a result of living in a world that is not really geared towards their needs.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Children who struggle to be still and pay attention in class may fall behind others in terms of both their relationships and their learning. They may also be labelled as ‘difficult’ from an early age which negatively affects their self-esteem.

Acupuncture can support children to thrive, rather than struggle, in terms of learning and relating.

During this course, we will look at the following in relation to both these disorders:
- causes and triggers from a Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) perspective
- specific patterns of imbalance frequently seen in clinic, both Organ/Pathogen and 5 Element
- effective treatment strategies
- useful non-needle techniques
- specific patient management strategies for this demographic
- strategies to help families to support their child according to their unique constitution

You will gain the confidence and skills to be able to start offering much-needed support to these young people now.

Biography
Rebecca Avern has treated children with acupuncture for over 22 years, and now treats exclusively children and teenagers. She founded and runs two children’s acupuncture clinics in Oxford, UK, one of which offers affordable acupuncture to children and the opportunity for practitioner internships.

Rebecca teaches a year-long diploma in acupuncture paediatrics in the UK, as well as extensively online and internationally. She has been a senior faculty member at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, UK for the past 15 years.

Rebecca is the author of the textbook Acupuncture for Babies, Children and Teenagers and also of Chinese Medicine for Childhood Anxiety and Depression: a practical guide for practitioners and parents.

Rebecca founded the Hub of Paediatric Acupuncture (www.paediatricacupuncture.com), an online community providing information for parents and support to practitioners who treat children.