Home > Autism and Chiropractic
Having been in practice for 14 years I have been blessed to have contributed to the health and well being of so many children and families in this community. I have always had a passion for providing chiropractic care for kids because they are the future of our planet. Sick people make sick choices and create a sick world. Healthy people make healthy choices and create a healthy world. The more health, wellness, and vitality that we can help our children express the greater their life experience and the greater the possibilities for their future.
As a chiropractor my job is not to "treat" nor to "cure"; only the body can do that. I simply look for and correct any disturbance between the brain and the body that happens in the nervous system (we call it a subluxation or vertebral subluxation complex). When subluxation is present it interferes with the body's natural ability to comprehend itself and or the environment and therefore the body's adaptability. Regardless of what type of medical diagnosis a person may present to my office with my only goal is to 'reunite man the physical with man the spiritual', and allow for the body's innate intelligence to be expressed perfectly. When we do this the body knows exactly what its needs are and how to accomplish them better, faster, and more complete than any doctor that will ever walk this earth.
There are so many children today being placed on the Autism Spectrum and it is my firm belief that everyone of these children should be checked by a chiropractor regularly throughout every stage of their life to allow for optimal expression of their genetic potential. The health of the nervous system is paramount in making this happen. Over the years I have cared for many children in my practice who fall somewhere along the spectrum and have seen amazing changes in them. More recently I have felt called to serve this growing part of our population and have begun working with the families involved in the St. Peter's Church faith formation program: Autism & The Sacraments. To learn more about the exciting things happening for the children in that program CLICK HERE.
Take a moment to watch the video below. This brief video is a Mom's testimonial of how chiropractic has helped her daughter Rachel and it finishes with Rachel telling us why she believes regular chiropractic checkups are so important. My hope and prayer is that the other families we have begun working with will add to the testimonials here on this page in the hope that more parents of autistic children will come across the information and be moved to contact a chiropractor. Chiropractors around the world are working with autistic children and impacting their lives in profound ways. I am grateful to contribute whatever part I can.
For a healthier world one family at a time,
Dr. Gary
"Hi Dr. Brodeur,
The lovely woman, Lorna, who runs the social groups at the Autism Project in Johnston took me aside tonight and said that Grace has really blossomed in group these past three weeks. She said that Grace is calling people by name, has less anxiety and is participating without being asked. She is also staying more on topic during conversations. Lorna has known Gracie for about two years and has never really commented on her participation before, so this is new and different.
Have a nice night and weekend!
Susan H."
Autism: A Chiropractic Perspective
Clinical Chiropractic 2006 (Mar): 9 (1): 6-10
Aguilar et al. (25) carried out a series of chiropractic
adjustments on 26 autistic children over a 9-month period. Twelve were
found to have a left atlas laterality and 14 had a right atlas
laterality. Outcomes from the study were varied but included
normalization of deep tendon reflexes and dermatomal subjective
sensation, increased cervical range of motion and reduction of other
health problems. Many of the children were taken off Ritalin, bladder
and bowel control improved, some children started to speak and eye
contact and attention span also improved in some children. Hyperactivity
and aggressive behaviour were reduced in other children and five
children were able to attend mainstream classes at school for the first
time. Behavioural data, recorded by the teachers and parents, showed
significant improvements in most cases.
Clinical Efficacy of Upper Cervical Versus Full Spine Adjustment on Children with Autism
WFC'S 7th Biennial Congress Conference Proceedings MAY 1-3, 2003, 7th Ed: 328-9
Children with autism are presented with multiple categories of clinical
pictures that affect their social, sensory, speech, and physical
development. In addition to chiropractic care, parents of autistic
children seek all possible therapies available. In this study, the
clinical outcome of chiropractic care showed higher efficacy of upper
cervical adjustment when compared to full spine adjustment in autistic
children.
A Case Study of a Five Year Old Male with Autism/Pervasive Development
Disorder who Improved Remarkably and Quickly with Chiropractic Treatment
Proceedings of the World Federation of Chiropractic Congress 2001 (May); 6: 313
Extraordinary progress was noted in the patient by all involved parties.
The subjective and objective monitoring system revealed a 96% overall
improvement after 2 weeks of treatment. A 102% overall improvement was
revealed on a 3.5 year follow-up, the mother adding that the child
appeared near normal. This progress is vastly superior to typical
progress following standard medical treatment.
Autism, Asthma, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Strabismus, and Illness Susceptibility: A Case Study in Chiropractic Management
Todays Chiropractic 1998; 27 (5): 32–47
Pathologies of organic origin are commonly thought to be the exclusive
realm of medical treatment and not part of the mainstay of chiropractic
care. The clinical observations of a patient presenting with autism,
asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, strabismus, and illness susceptibility
are reported. Alleviation of symptoms is seen subsequent to corrections
of abnormal biomechanical function of the occipito-atlanto-axial
complex. A relationship between biomechanical faults in the upper
cervical spine and the manifestation of abnormal central
neurophysiological processing is suggested as the genesis of this
patient’s symptomatology.
The Effect of Chiropractic Adjustments on the Behavior of Autistic Children: A Case Review
Journal of Chiropractic 1987 (Dec); 24 (12): 21-25
Extraordinary progress was noted in the patient by all involved parties.
The subjective and objective monitoring system revealed a 96% overall
improvement after 2 weeks of treatment. A 102% overall improvement was
revealed on a 3.5 year follow-up, the mother adding that the child
appeared near normal. This progress is vastly superior to typical
progress following standard medical treatment.
The Status of Research into Vaccine Safety and Autism
Washington, D.C. - On June 19, 2002, at 11:00 a.m., in Room 2154 of
the Rayburn House Office Building, the Committee on Government Reform,
chaired by Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN), will conduct a hearing to
evaluate the status of research concerning the possible relationship
between vaccines and neurological disorders, including autism.
Review More Abstracts on Chiropractic and Autism
Review abstracts about chiropractic and a variety of organic and
visceral disorders at the wonderful International Chiropractic Pediatric
Association (ICPA) website
