Utility of coping mechanisms in children with learning disabilities to arrive at the similimum: A case series

Objectives: In India, learning disabilities (LD) constitutes about 10–20% of scholastic problems in children. The standard way of treating these children is through remediation. An extra-mural Research Project supported by the Department of AYUSH (2008–2011) comprised a single blind, case–control study conclusively proved the value of homeopathy intervention in the treatment of LD. It is difficult to locate the characteristics in the written expressions of LD. This paper, explores through the use of a case series the most appropriate method, of identifying and incorporating the characteristic coping techniques used by these children to deal with their disability into the totality. The totality, thus erected, is processed through the use of various repertorial or nonrepertorial approaches. Materials and Methods: Detailed case histories of the children diagnosed with LD including data from the caregiver/s and the child were studied. The evolutionary behavioural expressions of the children were noted and analysed to derive the coping mechanisms utilized. These contributed to the characteristics which in turn defined the approach to the totality and further the similimum. Results: Incorporation of coping mechanisms with expressions at the mental and physical level was invaluable in leading to the similimum. The results indicated a significant change not only in the expressions of the LD but also in a better adaptation of the child to the environment. Conclusion: Identifying and valuing the coping mechanisms are of value in arriving at the similimum in children with LD.