How autistic children can benefit from chiropractic care

As a Chiropractor, I often get ask questions from parents of autistic children on how a chiropractor can help?

During my time at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, I had the opportunity to intern at the Muki Baum Treatment Centre for children with complex disabilities, in Toronto, ON.  At Muki Baum, the staff understood the importance and could see the benefits that chiropractic care had on these children, many of whom had autism. After treatment, teachers would report improvement in mood and attention levels, less aggression and more tolerance to physical stimulation and touch. In fact, chiropractic re-assessments showed improvements in physical strength, balance, mobility and coordination. 

The importance of chiropractic care is essential to children with disabilities.  These kids often have hypotonia (low muscle tone), poor posture, decreased body awareness and as a result have more pronounced musculoskeletal problems such as restrictions on movement and stiff joints.  Furthermore autistic kids are often have sensory stimulus deficits, either hypo (too little)  or hyper (too much) sensitive.  Receiving the proper chiropractic adjustments can be like hitting the information reset button on the nervous system.  Either calming or turning up the nervous system when the body requires.       

Children with developmental disorders can benefit from chiropractic treatment focused to improve joint mobility, gross motor training, core muscle strengthening, vestibular (balance) exercise and sensory stimulation.  However, chiropractic care is only part of the treatment puzzle.  Other avenues of care including biochemical, nutritional, cognitive and emotional components should be addressed to offer the best possible outcome for the patient.

Advertisement