By Dr.
Joshua Huffman, D.C.
The rate of autism spectrum disorders is growing at an
epidemic rate. 10 years ago autism
was diagnosed in 1 out of 10,000 children. In 2006 the National Survey of Children’s Health released by
the US Department of Health and Human Services reported that the odds of a
child receiving an autistic spectrum disorder diagnosis have increased to 1 out
of every 91 children. If we are
talking about boys, the risk climbs to an astonishing 1 out of every 38! Furthermore, a study released by the
researchers at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute reported that only 120% of the
700% increase could be attributed to improved diagnosis (1). Autistic Spectrum Disorders including
autism, aspergers, ADHD, ADD, and dyslexia are a true epidemic threatening our
children’s futures. It is
imperative that we begin making changes to improve our children’s abilities to
thrive in society.
For the last 25 years much of the research that has been
performed has been looking for “the gene” that causes autism. No such gene has been found. There are epigenetic factors (genetic
predispositions) that may make it more likely for your child to develop one of
these disorders. It is good news
that this is not a “genetic” disorder because this means that there is the
opportunity to change your child’s condition. In order to successfully help these children we must have an
understanding of what is at the heart of this disorder.
Practitioners of chiropractic neurology have long understood
that many neurologic disorders stem from an imbalance between the right and
left hemispheres of the brain. When there is an imbalance in
brain function this creates what is referred to as a “functional disconnection
syndrome.” This is an inability of
the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate with each other. Recent research is now suggesting that
this is the very mechanism behind autism spectrum disorders as well. One such study from the Center for
Cognitive Brain Imaging reports “the functional connectivity, i.e. the degree
of synchronization or correlation of the time series of the activation, between
the various participating cortical areas was consistently lower for the autistic
than the control participants (2).”
This was a comparative study using functional MRI imaging to compare
activation patterns in the brain while performing certain tasks. It confirms that there is an imbalance
in activation between the different hemispheres of the brain in autistic
spectrum disorders.
In autistic spectrum disorders it appears that this
imbalance in brain activity stems from an underdeveloped or immature right
brain. The right brain develops
first and is largely stimulated by movement patterns. Many children who develop ASD have abnormal motor patterns
while developing. These abnormal
movement patterns during the brains formative years lead to decreased
activation in the right hemisphere of the brain. For this reason developmental milestones are very important
in the early detection of autistic spectrum disorders. Any variation from the
normal developmental time, whether early or late should serve as a red flag of
neurologic imbalance. As areas of
the right brain fail to develop they create a vicious cycle that will promote
further neurological imbalance. To
understand this, we must investigate the primary functions of the right
hemisphere.
The right hemisphere of the brain is largely involved in
gross motor control (postural muscles), suppressing immune function, spatial
awareness, non-verbal communication, and comprehension. When you have an under-activation of
the right brain you may see poor posture, poor muscle coordination,
hypersensitive immune responses (allergies and asthma), an inability to
interpret facial expressions, and difficulty with understanding stories. There are many other functions of the
right hemisphere, but the easiest way to understand the right brain is to think
of it as the “brake pedal” of the body, and to think of the left brain as the
“gas pedal”. If you are in a room
and hear a noise, or see something move out of the corner of your eye it is
your right brain that allows you to stop yourself from looking at it. If you have a thought in your head, it
is your right brain that allows you to stop thinking about it when you want to. When something upsets you and you
become emotional, it is your right brain that allows you to put the brake pedal
on and not act out in an inappropriate manner. When your body is exposed to an antigen (an invader in your
body), it is your right brain that limits and turns off your immune system
activation at the appropriate time.
When the right brain is weak, the inability to suppress
immune system activation is one of the key factors in promoting the vicious
cycle I referred to earlier.
Another key feature in many children with autism spectrum disorders is
that they develop multiple food and chemical sensitivities because their immune
systems are hyperactive. It may be
tempting to think that an overactive immune system is a good thing, but this is
far from the truth. When the immune system is repetitively activated as in the
case of food allergies, it may lead to inflammation in the gut, the body, and
in the brain. In many cases we
find that the immune system goes rogue, and will actually start attacking the
child’s own tissues. This is
referred to as an autoimmune condition.
Once this has occurred it can lead to further brain degeneration in your
child, creating even more of a functional disconnection. I recommend that all children with
autism spectrum disorders go through rigorous testing of their immune system to
identify the substances that their body is reacting to.
Traditional medications used to treat children with autism spectrum disorders help to stimulate the cortex and therefore may help improve symptoms. These medications, however, will not correct the imbalance in your child’s
brain. If your child stops taking
the medication the symptoms return. The goal of a chiropractic neurologist is to identify the specific areas of cortical dysfunction and to exercise these areas to restore balance to the brain. The right brain in
these children is weak, but their left brain is overactive. The goal should not be to strengthen
both sides, but rather to increase the right brain while calming the left
brain. Many children with autism may exhibit speech delays. Obviously, there is a desire of the parent of any speech-impaired child to help them speak. But in many of these cases speech therapy (primarily left brain stimulation) alone may not be the answer. The
speech centers of the brain are located in the left hemisphere of the brain and
therefore ST stimulates the left hemisphere more significantly. The reason children with right brain delays express an
inability to speak is that the right brain is responsible for non-verbal
communication. Non-verbal
communication is the foundation for the development of speech. If the right brain is underdeveloped it
may interrupt the development of normal speech patterns. Speech therapy can be helpful to these children, but it is also imperative to actively stimulate and rehab the right hemisphere of the brain as to lay the foundation for speech development.
Chiropractic neurology allows for a skilled practitioner to
accurately rehabilitate the areas of the right brain that are underdeveloped. Traditionally, chiropractic
neurologists may use sound therapy, smell therapy, light therapy, balance therapy,
spin therapy, unilateral adjustment techniques, and vibration therapy in a
specialized manner to “exercise” the weak regions of the child’s brain. For example, a child with a right brain
deficiency may benefit from “bad” or “foul” smells in the right nostril. Smell from the right nostril fires off
pathways that travel to the right temporal lobe. “Foul” smells also stimulate a withdrawal response, which is
a function of the right brain.
When specific brain-based therapies are applied they allow for the two
hemispheres of the brain to become balanced again. Once this has occurred new, efficient pathways of
communication between the two hemispheres can begin to form. Research has displayed that the use of
the chiropractic adjustment can be used to improve cortical (brain)
function. One such study performed
by Dr. Carrick demonstrated that patients with enlarged visual blind spots due
to cortical deficits were returned to normal by the use of a cervical spinal
adjustment (3). This study
demonstrates that a skilled chiropractic neurologist can help re-balance
abnormal brain function.
When considering therapies that may be utilized for the
treatment of your child it is imperative to take into consideration a few
factors. First, what are the negative side effects associated with a particular
treatment for my child?
Medications may offer relief of symptoms but the side effects may change
your child forever.
Brain based
therapy has relatively no negative side effects. Secondly, what therapy is
going to offer my child the most specific rehabilitation for his or her needs?
Chiropractic neurologists specialize in
evaluating your child to identify the specific areas of his or her brain that
are impaired.
Lastly, what
treatment option offers the most comprehensive approach to my child’s condition?
Many chiropractic neurologists also
have advanced training in functional medicine.
Finding a doctor that can work to improve both your child’s
neurologic imbalance and their immune system imbalance in a coordinated manner
is of utmost importance.
This
comprehensive approach is rarely seen in today’s healthcare system, but may be
exactly what your child needs to get their life back.
For more information please visit my website at
www.twincitiesautismdoc.com.
Dr. Joshua R Huffman, D.C., D.A.C.N.B., D.A.A.I.M.,
practices in Mounds View, MN. He is a board certified chiropractic neurologist
and has post-doctoral studies in functional medicine. He is the author of the book, “Growing Young”. He may be contacted by email at drhuffman@moundsviewchiro.com
(1) University of California - Davis - Health System (2009, January 11). California's
Autism Increase Not Due To Better Counting, Diagnosis. ScienceDaily.
Retrieved April 1, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2009/01/090108095429.htm
(2) Just MA, Cherkassky VL, Keller TA, Minshew NJ. Cortical
Activation and
Synchronization During Sentence Comprehension in High
Functioning Autism:Evidence of Underconnectivity. Carnegie Mellon
University, Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging, Department of Psychology,
Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
(3) Carrick FR. Changes in Brain Function after Manipulation of the
Cervical Spine. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
Oct, 1997. 20(8): 529-545
©2011 Mounds View
Chiropractic, P.A.
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