Understanding ASD Symptoms and the Potential Benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic for Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a type of developmental condition that many people experience today. It can impact how someone interacts socially and navigate various parts of life. To identify ASD, there are several symptoms to look out for. Also, we'll explore how the top two bones in the neck might relate to autism. Lastly, we'll discuss a natural approach that has been studied in autism research.

Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder

The signs of ASD can be grouped into two main types, though there are a few special cases. First, we'll look at the social and communication signs, and then we'll talk about repetitive behaviors. Lastly, there are some other symptoms that don’t fit neatly into these categories but can actually be helpful in certain ways.

Signs of Social Interaction Challenges in ASD

In autism, some people find it hard to look directly into others' eyes consistently. They might not point at things to share them or show interest in what others are doing. When you try to get their attention by saying their name, they might not respond quickly or at all. Their conversation skills can be limited, and they might focus intensely on specific topics without noticing if others are losing interest.

Their facial expressions and gestures might not match the emotions or topics they're talking about. For instance, they could be talking sadly about losing a loved one but seem to be smiling or nodding happily. Their way of speaking might also sound unusual, like speaking in a flat tone or in a sing-song rhythm.

Because they often take things literally, people with autism may misunderstand what others say or do. They might struggle to understand someone else's feelings or point of view, which can lead to arguments or sudden emotional reactions.

Signs of repetitive behavior in autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Narrowed Interests: This means having a strong focus on specific topics or activities, almost like being really into one thing. For example, someone might only want to talk about trains or dinosaurs all the time.

Repetitive Behavior: This involves doing or saying the same things over and over, like repeating certain words or movements. These actions can be comforting and are sometimes called stimming.

Preference for Routine: People with ASD often prefer sticking to a regular schedule and can get upset if things change unexpectedly.

Sensory Sensitivity: Someone with ASD might have trouble with things like bright lights, loud noises, extreme temperatures, or clothing that feels uncomfortable against their skin. These sensations can be overwhelming for them.

Positive symptoms

In people with ASD, they often have exceptional memory for small details about things, remembering them for a long time. They're also really good at learning through seeing and hearing things. Additionally, they can be very skilled in subjects they're passionate about, like having a big vocabulary or being great at math, science, or art.

Understanding the Significance of the Upper Cervical Spine

Researchers have been studying how upper cervical chiropractic care can benefit children with autism. They looked at a few cases where kids with autism had misalignments in their upper necks, which were seen on imaging tests:

1. Amalu (1998) – A 5-year-old girl's autism symptoms got a lot better after 12 weeks of this type of chiropractic care.

2. Aguilar (2000) – In this study, 26 kids aged 3 to 13 with autism showed a 22% improvement in their symptoms after 9 months of upper cervical chiropractic.

3. Noriega (2012) – A 6-year-old boy's autism symptoms decreased by 70% after 15 weeks of this care. His schoolwork and social skills got a lot better too.

These cases suggest a link between problems in the upper neck and autism symptoms.

The Connection Between Upper Cervical Chiropractic and the Central Nervous System

The first two vertebrae in your neck, called the atlas and axis, play a crucial role in how your brainstem functions and how blood flows to your brain. When these vertebrae are out of alignment, it can also affect the drainage of fluid around your brain, causing increased pressure inside your head. This alignment is really important for your central nervous system to work properly.

If you or someone you care about has ASD (autism spectrum disorder), it would be a good idea to see an upper cervical chiropractor who specializes in adjusting these upper neck vertebrae. Gentle adjustments could potentially be helpful. To find out more, get in touch with a local practitioner to set up a consultation.

Disclaimer: 

Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Corrections to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or products you obtain through this article or others.