When working with children on the autistic spectrum it is very important to look at the individual and how ASD affects them.  Osteopathy is not a cure for autism but it enables the bodys tissues to be at their best health, facilitating change and allowing the individual to reach their full potential.

We have found that osteopathy can help people on the autistic spectrum in a number of ways:

• Behaviour:  Osteopathy can help to relax and calm children on the autistic spectrum which can result in improved sleep, reduced hand biting, sleeve chewing and head banging.  It can also help to reduce hand flapping and toe walking.

• Speech, language and communication:  Improved comprehension, reduced echolalia and improved interaction with others, which in turn can help improve self esteem.

• Improved eye contact.

• Improved spatial awareness.

• Help in coping with changes in environment and routine.

• Gastrointestinal tract dysfunction:  Calming down irritation of the gut and reducing toxicity due to allergy, food intolerance or biochemical reactions.  Treatment complements allergy related/nutritional approaches.

• Learning difficulties associated with ASD, including dyslexia and dyspraxia

• Epilepsy

Matthew:

Matthew had recently been diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum when he first came for treatment.  He was often unsettled and easily distressed especially by new places or change and did a lot of head banging.  He is dairy and wheat intolerant and although this had been cut out of his diet he still suffered from indigestion, constipation and was generally very windy.  He had poor comprehension/understanding, struggled to communicate and had only a couple of basic words. 

Following treatment Matthew was much calmer, his sleep improved and he was having less tantrums.  Over the next few treatments his gut function improved with him passing a motion every day, his eye contact improved, he seemed to be hearing more and he also appeared to be more curious and "with it"

Jay:

Jay is 8 years old, he initially came for treatment to help with poor spatial awareness but was later diagnosed with Aspergers.  He was generally quite "clumsy", frequently tripping and falling over.  His speech was very stilted, and he was very emotional and weepy, unable to cope with changes especially school holidays and changes of set up in the classroom.

With treatment we have seen an improvement in his emotions, he is more able to handle change, recently he changed both his teacher and classroom and coped much better than expected.  There has been an improvement in his writing and balance, tripping and falling a lot less.  With this there has been an improvement in self esteem.  We still see Jay for treatment but mainly following growth spurts and during school holidays.