Ten to fifteen years ago most people would say they had never met a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Today, just about everybody has a friend or relative with a child who is struggling with one of these neurodevelopmental disorders.
A decade ago autism was fairly rare at a rate of 1 in every 10,000. The numbers for 2014 are startling. Now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 1 in 68 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with Autism. There has been a 30% increase since 2012 when the rate was 1 in 88. This sharp increase in childhood neurodevelopmental disorders has been called a "major health threat" by the CDC.
The statistics showing the alarming rate of increase are staggering. Typically parents are told that there is no known cause of their child's disorder and that most likely it is genetic. It is important to understand that there is no such thing as a "genetic epidemic." Our genes do not change quickly enough over just 10-15 years to explain this epidemic-like increase. The most likely scenario is an environmental cause affecting the developing nervous systems of these children.
Regardless of what is causing the increase, having a child with behavioral, social and learning problems associated with an autistic spectrum disorder can be emotionally painful for parents. Most are told, because it is genetic, there is no treatment other than psychiatric medications. This can leave parents with little to no hope.
I can tell you there is hope. There is a drug free approach that has been helping children with high functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS and other autistic spectrum disorders. This website is dedicated to informing parents about this groundbreaking approach to helping these children.
Hello, my name is Dr. Joseph Childs and I am a Board-Certified Chiropractic Neurologist. I am fellowship trained in Functional Neurology and Childhood Neuro-Developmental Disorders, andI have been practicing in Chester County since 1999. Based on my extensive knowledge of Functional Neurology, I use a different approach to address the underlying neurologic and metabolic components of these neurodevelopmental disorders.
Recent research has shown that the underlying neurological issue occurring in these problems is an imbalance of electrical activity between areas of the brain. For many years neuroscience researchers and clinicians have understood that for a brain to function as a whole there needs to be balanced development and function of the two hemispheres. When the two sides of the brain are balanced they can communicate and connect electrically with one another. This under-connectivity between the left and right hemisphere causes one side of the brain to be out of sync with the other side. This imbalance is known as a Functional Disconnection Syndrome and is caused when one side of the brain develops slower than the other.
Functional Disconnection Syndrome will create unevenness in academic ability, behavior and social function that can be seen in Asperger's Syndrome and other autism spectrum disorders.
From the beginning of neurological development after conception until two years of age the primary hemisphere of the brain to develop is the right side. The early development of the right brain makes this hemisphere more susceptible to outside environmental factors affecting its proper function. In autistic spectrum disorders, the right brain is the side that is delayed, causing the behavioral, academic and social characteristics that are seen.
Some of the functions of the right brain are big picture thinking, non-verbal communication, large muscle control as well as the interpretation of facial expressions, voice inflections and feelings of others which are necessary to have proper social skills.
When the right side of the brain is weak, a child will not see the big picture; they will have poor social skills and a reduced ability to understand others feelings. They will also have poor gross motor skills and posture. The right brain is also the emotional intuition side.
Of course the list of right sided brain functions is much more extensive but you can see how it matches the characteristics seen in Asperger's Syndrome and other autism spectrum disorders such as impairment in social interaction, stereotyped and restricted patterns of behavior, physical clumsiness, lack of empathy and impaired nonverbal behaviors in areas such as eye contact, facial expression, posture and gesture to name a few. On the flip side these children have highly developed left brain skills such as musical ability and understanding facts, figures and numbers from a linear, detailed view.
To understand more about how the brain functions and how a functional disconnection syndrome may be affecting your child I recommend reading the information on this website and watching the videos. They will be eye opening and potentially life changing for your child or teenager.
The most important thing you need to know is there are healthy drug-free ways to stimulate and improve the development of the weaker hemisphere to help kids with these issues.
These problems are caused by a neurological and or metabolic problem that creates an imbalance in brain function. You can learn more about this right here. This website has been designed to educate you and give you hope that there is a better way to help your child or teenager!
You will be amazed to learn that there are MANY different neurological tests and metabolic tests that can be analyzed in order to determine exactly how your child's brain and body are functioning. Watch the video on this site and read about our unique approach to learn more about this.
We also do COMPLETE AND THOROUGH METABOLIC TESTING to support nutritional care:
For example has your doctor specifically checked your child for:
- Low blood sugar?
- Anemia?
- Food sensitivities
- Leaky gut?
- Vitamin or fatty acid deficiencies?
- Intestinal infections and dysbiosis (abnormal levels of beneficial healthy gut bacteria)
These all can have a big effect on brain inflammation commonly seen in autism spectrum disorders.
You will find out that we do COMPLETE NEUROLOGIC TESTING to determine what side of your child's brain is underdeveloped as well as what areas need to be stimulated.
You can learn more about this right here. This website has been designed to educate you and give you hope that there is a better way to help your child or teenager!
You will be amazed to learn that there are MANY different neurological tests and metabolic tests that can be analyzed in order to determine exactly how your child's brain and body are functioning. Watch the video on this site and read about our unique approach to learn more about this.
You will find out that we do COMPLETE NEUROLOGIC TESTING to determine what side of your child's brain is underdeveloped as well as what areas need to be stimulated
Please watch our video and read the section called Our Unique Solution to learn more. The Asperger's Syndrome video on this site will explain our drug free approach in detail.
If after reading the information on the site and watching my video you have questions about our program or your individual child, please set up a free consultation with me by filling out the box on this site. I would be happy to answer any specific questions you may have.
If you are ready to finally see if your child can be helped right away call our office at 610-518-3370 so we can schedule a free consultation.
Joseph Childs DC, DACNB
Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist
Corrective Chiropractic Neurology & Functional Medicine Center