Undiagnosed allergies can produce symptoms of various health disorders including autism.  From a western medical point of view, an allergy is an overreaction of the immune system.  In NAET, allergies are viewed from a holistic perspective based on Oriental Medical Principles and defined in terms of the effect an allergic substance has on the energy flow in the body. 

An allergy is a condition of unusual sensitivity of a person to one or more substances which may be harmless to the majority of other individuals.  In the allergic person, the allergic substance (known as an allergen) is viewed by the brain as a threat to the body's well-being.  When contact is made with an allergen, it causes blockages in the energy pathways called meridians, disrupting the normal flow of energy through the body's electrical circuits.  This energy blockage causes interference in communication between the brain and body via the nervous system which begins a chain of events that can develop into an allergic response.

Autism can be viewed as an allergic response or cascade of allergic responses to many allergens at one time.  These allergic reactions result in energy imbalances in the brain and body leading to diminished mental health in the autistic individual.  By removing the blockages from the energy pathways, NAET allows the brain and body to regain balance and normal function.  Allergy-related autism is treatable and early diagnosis and intervention are vital to a better prognosis of autism.

In 1983 Devi S. Nambudripad, D.C., L.Ac., M.D., Ph.D., discovered NAET and began extensive research and development for a new, effective approach to the elimination of allergies.  Dr. Nambudripad's knowledge in Eastern and Western medicine gave her the insight and guidance to develop this unique technique in order to overcome her own serious allergic food reactions.  She shares the amazing story of her personal struggles to free herself from lifelong allergies in the book "Say Goodbye to Illness."  Her book, "Say Goodbye to Allergy-related Autism" explains the theoretical basis for her technique and provides true testimonials and fascinating case histories of autistic patients who have been cleared successfully with NAET.

Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques is an innovative solution for allergies that is completely natural, painless and non-invasive.  This method can be used safely on anyone, making it easier to work with autistic children.  In addition, NAET can complement other medical therapies used in the treatment of autism.  This can maximize the effectiveness of the supportive therapies, as well as clear any side effects from childhood vaccinations, pharmaceutical drugs, food supplements, vitamins, and minerals.

NAET is a synthesis of Chinese medicine and kinesiology.  Nambudripad's testing techniques utilize Neuromuscular Sensitivity Testing (NST) which indicates the kinetic imbalances in the body caused by allergens.  The NAET technique stimulates acupressure points along the spine from the neck to the sacrum while the patient is holding an allergen.  After the acupressure, a strong NST indicates that the body's response to the allergy has been balanced.  Specific acupressure points are then massaged to stabilize the treatment.  The substance must then be completely avoided for 25 hours following the clearing for best results.  Allergens are cleared one at a time in a specific sequence.  Normally only one item is cleared on a given day.  In most cases one session is all that is required to eliminate an allergy if NAET is applied properly and the instructions are followed by the patient appropriately.  Individuals who are highly sensitive may sometimes require additional sessions.

The study consisted of two groups of 30 non-verbalized, non-communicative subjects of both sexes, ranging from 3 to 10 years of age.  The first group received 50 NAET treatments over a period of one year.  The second control group did not receive any NAET treatments.

Of the 26 participants in the first group who completed the study, all showed improvement in verbal and non-verbal communication skills, social interactions, reduction in restlessness, improved sleep, reduction of abnormal body movements like flapping of hands, pulling of hair, etc.  Twenty-three out of 26 participants (88%) showed enough significant improvement to be moved from special education classes to regular classes.

Of the second control group that did not receive NAET treatments,  none of the participants made significant progress.