When business is unable to embrace the diversity in all of us,
that means they are missing out on some exceptional genius
#Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder that covers a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, and speech and non-verbal communication.
It is a lifelong condition, and its symptoms can vary widely from person to person.
The wide-ranging divergences in varieties of autism are why it is referred to as a #spectrum.
There is no “cure” for autism.
There are however many tools available to help manage the symptoms of autism
Autism is most often shaped by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged.
In terms of mental health, Chiropractic care has been shown to lower blood pressure and can help to decrease other symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.
To read more about Chiropractic adjustment and brain function click here: Spinal adjustment impact on brain function
There are many job roles in which those with #ASD excel as they do have some abilities that non-ASDs do not.
Often ASD is accompanied by other medical issues which can make it even more difficult to diagnose.
Sometimes these symptoms or conditions even mask ASD or vice versa.
They include, but are not limited to, the following:
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
GI disorders are nearly eight times more common among children with autism than other children.
They commonly include:
Chronic constipation
Chronic diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
Bowel inflammation
All of which will exacerbate their behavioural problems, limit learning and interrupt sleep.
Suggested Remedy
Chiropractic therapy for GI management
Intake of less processed foods, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Probiotic supplements and food products
Sleep Disorders
Children with ASD have a significantly high rate of sleep disorders, with falling asleep and then staying asleep being the most prevalent.
Obviously many things impact our achieving quality sleep but with ASD children there is a greater level of anxiety and depression than compared to other children.
It can be difficult for children with ASD to turn off their brains and then this becomes a catch-22 with anxiety levels increasing still further.
Chiropractic is a great natural sleep remedy for autism.
The GI disorders may also impact their ability to sleep through the night as will any medications the child is on.
The establishment of routines set by the parents to promote optimal sleeping conditions is important.
For example:
Maintaining a dark and cool bedroom
Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule
Avoid any caffeine – Remember this can be found in some soft drinks
Negotiate a bedtime routine with your child and stick to it
Have your child exercise as much as possible each day
Suggested Remedy
Maintain sleep hygiene as above
Chiropractic therapy for sleep disorders
Headaches
Headaches are a less common symptom perhaps due to the pain insensitivity that is common in most with ASD.
Research has however indicated a link between migraines and ASD.
You can read more about ASD and headaches here https://scdcentre.com/autism-spectrum-disorder-migraines/
Suggested Remedy
Chiropractic therapy will actually target the source of the headache, which means that some headaches may be removed permanently when a chiropractic regime is maintained.
Medications just mask the pain, and the headache will return once the meds have worn off.
Immune Disorders
[1] A 2018 study at UC Davis MIND Institute found that children with ASD have reduced immune system regulation, as well as shifts in their gut microbiota.
Dysregulation of immunity in people with autism may lead to any of the following problems:
Immune deficiency/dysfunction: defective or ineffective response.
Hypersensitivity: Over-reaction to innocuous foreign material, out of proportion to potential damage (allergy).
Autoimmunity: Inappropriate reaction towards self, loss of self-recognition.
Inflammation: Too-vigorous attack against invaders with “bystander” damage to normal tissue.
Research has also shown there may be a family history of autoimmune conditions in families with an ASD child.
Suggested Remedy
A diet high in fruits and vegetables.
Exercise regularly.
Get adequate sleep.
Thorough hand washing.
Try to minimize stress.
Ensure all recommended vaccines are up to date.
Maintain a regular regime of chiropractic therapy.
Chiropractic stimulates the lymphatic system to force out toxins from the body and also helps lower stress hormones that compromise the body’s immunity.
Ensuring subluxation or blockages of the spine are removed allows the nervous system to communicate effectively between organs and the brain. This is especially vital in the case of those with ASD.
Research Studies Showing Chiropractic Adjustments Boost Immune System
Dr. Ronald Pero, PhD. a New York University professor of medicine and the chief of the Preventative Medicine Institute’s Cancer Prevention Research conducted research in 1989, to test the effect that chiropractic care can have on the immune system and general health. [2]
Dr Pero measured the immune systems of people under chiropractic care as compared to those in the general population and those with cancer and other serious diseases.
His initial three-year study was of 107 individuals who had been under chiropractic care for five years or more.
The chiropractic patients were found to have a 200% greater immune competence than those people who had not received chiropractic care, and they had 400% greater immune competence than those people with cancer and other serious diseases.
The immune system superiority of those under chiropractic care did not appear to diminish with age.
Dr Pero stated:
“
When applied in a clinical framework, I have never seen a group other than this chiropractic group to experience a 200% increase over the normal patients. This is why it is so dramatically important. We have never seen such a positive improvement in a group. ”
The effectiveness of your immune system is determined by its ability to have clear and unfettered communication with your nervous system.
And of course, chiropractic is all about clearing any blockages between the nervous system and the body and brain.
Respiratory conditions
As stated in the USC Davis research above, respiratory infections may be common in ASD children.
At this time the true connection between ASD and asthma is still unclear, although is increasingly being acknowledged as research reveals some correlation.
Asthma is considered an Immune-mediated inflammatory disorder (I.M.I.D.) AND I.M.I.D.s are the result of abnormal activity of the immune system.
Thus, the asthma connection would make sense as those with ASD are considered to have an imbalance of the immune and inflammatory processes.
Evidence has shown children with autism have immature and abnormal breathing patterns. [3]
Meaning that less than optimal oxygen levels are being delivered to the tissues and the brain, which in turn impacts sensory-motor and metabolic function.
Additionally, the more stressed the child the greater the oxygen deficit.
Symptoms of abnormal breathing in autistic children may present as digestive upsets, constipation, abnormal sleep, abnormal cerebral blood circulation.
Suggested Remedy
A regime of chiropractic therapy - Misalignment of the spine has a major impact on the respiratory system, therefore correction is essential.
Fitness, nutrition and sleep are three areas of life that are vital to a person's overall health and well-being.
Unfortunately, poor physical fitness, feeding and gastrointestinal issues and sleep disorders are all very common among children and adults on the spectrum.
Often times challenges in these three areas can be exacerbated by the other difficulties associated with autism.
Given the huge variance in individual cases of ASD, we really must utilise whichever natural health therapies benefit that given individual.
#autismposturecorrection #autismrespiratoryproblems #autismsleepremedy #autismsupport #anxietyrelief #AutismTherapy #ABAtherapy #OccupationalTherapy
[1] https://www.autism.org/immune-system-function-autism/
[2] file:///C:/Users/mazma/Downloads/Immune_system(2).pdf
[3] http://www.treatbreathinginautism.com/causes/