Autism is one of the fastest growing serious developmental disorders in America. The most recent surveys estimate that autism affects 1.45 kids, but its cause is still a mystery. Most people including therapists, neurologists, and pediatricians, view autism as a disorder of the brain and use traditional treatment methods such as psychiatric medications and behavioral therapy.

It is easy to associate the clinical symptoms of autism with brain dysfunction, but what I have learned is that this is only half of the equation. There are reasons why the brain appears to be triggering aggressive, picky, disconnected behavior. Autism is a whole body disorder a brain-body disconnection. 

The disconnect: 

When we see Autism, ADHD, ADD, Asperger’s, and other spectrum disorders through this light it is easy to see how there is something most doctors and therapists are missing something, the cause of the disconnection. Medications only serve to manage symptoms and behavioral therapy, although extremely important, will never uncover and heal the true causes. 

As a chiropractor, I can actually help “reconnect” the brain and body by changing the motion of the spinal segments, particularly in the upper neck. 

What does the spine have to do with Autism: 

The spine is extremely important because it is responsible for sixty-percent of all proprioceptive (body awareness in space) sensory information that reaches the brain. 

The highest concentration of proprioceptors resides in the upper neck. There are numerous events, such as C-section births, pharmaceuticals, unnatural foods, or stressful emotional environments that send the body into a tense “protect” mode.  If there is a lack of “normal” impulses and an increase of “abnormal” impulses (from improper or lack of movement in the spine) the brain will respond by activating the sympathetic response and won’t stop until the problem is resolved. 

For example, if I was to put you in a pitch black room, spin you around and then tell you to find the door, you would most likely go into “protect mode, tighten up, and feel nervous on the inside. 

That is exactly how your brain feels when the vertebral joints aren’t moving properly in the dark. As mentioned before, humans as early as birth can develop this problem called the vertebral subluxation. 

What are the symptoms: 

While spectrum disorders usually aren’t diagnosed for a few years, there are other symptoms I have come to recognize as early as a few weeks, such as colic, constipation, ear infections, improper sleeping, torticollis, acid reflux, and abnormal body tone that can tell me if they might already have spinal problems. While the subluxation might not always result in the development of a spectrum disorder, the plethora of other procedures and medications for the above symptoms compounded with the subluxation can seriously interfere with proper neurodevelopment.

Some suggestions: 

It would be my suggestion that every infant is checked by a chiropractor for spinal trauma immediately after birth or at least within the first few weeks. This will give every baby the chance to grow and express their life to their fullest potential and promote optimal neurodevelopment.

Dr. Chris Boman provides pediatric and family chiropractic care in Murrieta, CA. He is dedicated to helping kids and their families overcome a wide array of health challenges and educate his community on safe, natural ways to stay healthy.  Dr. Chris has seen major improvements in kids diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, torticollis, chronic ear infections, asthma, colic, breech babies, bedwetting and more. As a 25-year resident of Murrieta, he looks forward to giving back to the community that gave him so much.