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Autism : Chiropractic Perspectives

Autism : Chiropractic Perspectives. VIDEO: Autism Every Day http://www.autismspeaks.org/sponsoredevents/autism_every_day.php. What is Autism?. Autism is a neurological disorder that is categorized under the umbrella of Pervasive Development Disorders Autistic Disorder Asperger’s Disorder

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Autism : Chiropractic Perspectives

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  1. Autism : Chiropractic Perspectives VIDEO: Autism Every Day http://www.autismspeaks.org/sponsoredevents/autism_every_day.php

  2. What is Autism? • Autism is a neurological disorder that is categorized under the umbrella of Pervasive Development Disorders • Autistic Disorder • Asperger’s Disorder • Childhood Disintegrative disorder (CDD) • Rett’s Disorder • PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) Characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development” Autism Society of America

  3. Causes? There is no single known cause for autism. • Researchers continue to investigate a number of theories regarding causes of autism: • Heredity; genetic • Problems during pregnancy and delivery • Viral infections and metabolic imbalances • Exposure to environmental toxins • Vaccinations (MMR in particular)

  4. Prevalence? • Autism is the most prevalent of the PDD According to the CDC’s most recent statistics: • 1/150children • More common in boys *Autism is more common in the United States today than Down Syndrome (1/800), juvenile diabetes (1/400-500), and childhood cancer (1/6000-7000). Autism Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in Multiple Areas of the United States, 2000 and 2002. Retrieved 26 February 2007 from www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/documents/AutismCommunityReport.pdf

  5. Autism is a spectrum disorder and may demonstrate any combination of behaviors or defining characteristics to varying degrees. (ASA) Sensory Integration & Autism • Throws the senses “off” causing them to be over or under active • Switch the “foreground” and “background”

  6. Common Traits? • Insistence on sameness; resistance to change • Difficulty in expressing needs • Using gestures or pointing instead of words • Repeating words or phrases in place of normal language • Preference to being alone, aloof manner • Tantrums • Difficulty mixing with others • Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled • Little or no eye contact

  7. … • Unresponsive to normal teaching methods • Sustained odd play • Spinning objects • Obsessive attachment to objects • Apparent over/under sensitivity to pain • No real sense of fear or danger • Noticeable extreme over or under activity • Uneven gross/fine motor skills • No response to verbal cues; acts as if deaf although hearing tests in normal range

  8. Asperger’s Syndrome Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome share common characteristics but one aspect that differentiates Asperger’s syndrome is language development • Autistic children commonly demonstrate language delays • Children with Asperger’s syndrome often grasp language quite quickly; sometimes advanced development for their age group *Note, however, that they do not master the usual give and take of conversation… (APA)

  9. Myths & Misconceptions “Autistic children don’t make eye contact” • Many autistic children do make eye contact • perhaps less often or in a different manner “Autistic children don’t communicate” • Communication skills may include the use of sign language, pictures, or some form of functional language developed by the child “Autistic children will grow out of it” • Although symptoms may lessen as the child grows, they never “outgrow” autism “Austistic children can’t love” • Often they can and do show affection – in their own terms (ASA)

  10. Everyone can benefit from chiropractic care including those with pervasive developmental disorders… Theory: • remove subluxation ~> improve neurologic function (improved sensory integration)

  11. Many parents don’t know where to start • Chiropractic? GF/CF diets? Behavioral therapy? Chelation? • Communication will be difficult • Parents may not understand them at times • Over/under sensitivity to pain • Reliable exam findings? • May be very sensitive to light touch • Use firm pressure when palpating • May not be able to stay still • X-rays, instrumentation, adjustments… • Sensitivities to smell, sounds, and light are also common • Dim the lights, no scented candles, background music, etc. • Create a routine AND be patient!

  12. Chiropractic and Autism • Jennings J, Barker M. Autism: a chiropractic perspective. Clin Chiropr: MAR 2006(9:1) 6-10. • Gleberzon BJ. Chiropractic and the management of children with autism. Clin Chiropr: DEC 2006(9:4) 176-181. • Fox M. Changes to autistic behaviors following chiropractic care in a 30-month-old child. J Clin Chiropr Pediatr: 2006(7:1) 461-463. • Sweat RW, Khorshid KA, Zemba DA, Zemba BN. Clinical efficacy of upper cervical versus full spine care on children with autism: a radomized clinical trail. J Vert Sublux Res: 2006(MAR:9) Online access only 7p. • Gleberzon BJ, Rosenberg-Gleberzon AL. On Autism: Its prevalence, diagnosis, causes, and treatment. Top Clin Chiropr: DEC 2001(8:4) 42-57. • Rubenstein HM. Case Study – Autism. Chiropr Pediatr: APR 1994(1:1) 23.

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