Spectrum Disorders

For individuals on the autism spectrum, chiropractic can help regulate sensory processing, reduce behavioral rigidity, and improve adaptive function. By calming the nervous system and supporting better brain-body communication, care may lead to greater comfort and engagement. Many parents report improved focus, sleep, and communication skills.

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Chiropractic Care and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Enhancing Nervous System Function

Introduction: Autism, the Nervous System, and a Holistic Approach

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in communication, social interaction, and behavior, often accompanied by unusual sensory processing. Individuals on the spectrum may be hypersensitive or under-responsive to sensory inputs – sounds, touch, movement – indicating that their nervous system processes information differently. These sensory processing difficulties can contribute to stress, anxiety, and behavioral outbursts. Traditional interventions like behavioral therapy and certain medications can help manage some symptoms, but there is no pharmaceutical cure for the core features of autism. Many families, seeking to improve their child’s quality of life, explore complementary approaches. In fact, studies show 50–75% of children with ASD are treated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and about 25% use body-based therapies such as chiropractic or osteopathic manipulationjccponline.com. This openness reflects a desire to address autism by supporting the child’s overall neurophysiological function.

Chiropractic care focuses on optimizing the function of the nervous system, which is the master control system for sensory integration, stress responses, and behavior. By gently correcting spinal misalignments (called “subluxations” by chiropractors) that may interfere with nerve signaling, chiropractic adjustments aim to improve the brain-body connection. The underlying premise is that when the nervous system can process information more efficiently and without undue stress or “noise,” a child with ASD may experience better regulation – in sensory processing, emotional control, and even motor skills. Importantly, chiropractic is non-invasive and drug-free, aligning with many families’ preference for natural, supportive therapies.

This article provides an authoritative, evidence-based look at how chiropractic care can benefit individuals with autism spectrum disorders. We will review the neurological rationale, highlight research findings (including case studies and clinical reports with positive outcomes), and explain how chiropractic adjustments might help reduce stress and inefficiency in the nervous system. The goal is educational and persuasive – to inform families about encouraging results and the potential of chiropractic as part of a multidisciplinary approach to ASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Nervous System Dysregulation

ASD is more than a behavioral or social disorder – it fundamentally involves differences in how the brain and nervous system process information. One hallmark of autism is abnormal sensory processing, sometimes described as the brain being “overloaded” or not integrating sensory signals in the typical way. Research supports this: at the core of autism’s symptoms (social difficulties, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors) is often dysregulated sensory input processingpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Children on the spectrum may struggle to filter out background noise, may feel overwhelmed by touch or lights, or conversely might seek intense sensory input. This sensory dysregulation is a sign that their nervous system is not efficiently handling the incoming data from the environment, leading to anxiety and “meltdowns” or withdrawal.

Compounding these challenges is evidence that autistic individuals often have imbalances in their autonomic nervous system (ANS) – the branch of the nervous system that controls stress responses and calming responses. Studies using heart rate variability (HRV, a measure of autonomic balance) show that children with ASD tend to have significantly lower baseline HRV compared to typical childrenpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In plain terms, they have reduced parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity and relative overactivation of the sympathetic (“fight-or-flight”) response. One study found autistic kids had measurably lower vagal tone at rest, indicating their bodies stay in a more stressed state, and this was linked to attention and sensory responsiveness issuespmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Other research has similarly confirmed ANS dysregulation in ASD with an overactive fight-or-flight response and diminished calming activitypmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. This chronic state of high alert can exacerbate anxiety, make it harder for the child to focus or engage socially, and even impact sleep and digestion.

By understanding this nervous system dysregulation in autism, we set the stage for why chiropractic care – which targets the nervous system through the spine – might be particularly helpful. If a therapy can reduce the “noise” and stress in the nervous system, help balance the autonomic response, and improve how sensory signals are processed, it may alleviate some of the downstream symptoms of ASD. Chiropractic adjustments are designed to do exactly that.

How Chiropractic Adjustments Support Neurological Function

Chiropractic is traditionally known for addressing musculoskeletal issues, but its effects go much deeper. The spine houses and protects the spinal cord, which is like the main highway of the nervous system connecting the brain to the body. When vertebrae (spinal bones) are even slightly misaligned or not moving properly, they can irritate nerve pathways – chiropractors call this a subluxation. These subtle misalignments may interfere with the efficient transmission of signals in the nervous system. In a child with ASD, whose neurological balance is already delicate, correcting spinal subluxations could remove a source of stress or distortion in their nervous system, potentially helping the brain process information with less interference and effort. As one chiropractic pediatric expert noted, improving spinal alignment and reducing nerve interference can modulate how the brain perceives and responds to sensory inputignitechirotx.comignitechirotx.com. By restoring proper nerve communication, the body’s adaptive capacity improves, allowing children with autism to function closer to their potentialignitechirotx.comignitechirotx.com.

This is not just theory – a growing body of research in neurophysiology demonstrates that chiropractic adjustments produce real, measurable changes in nervous system function. For example, chiropractic adjustments have been shown to impact brain activity, particularly in areas involved in sensory processing and motor control. A groundbreaking study published in the journal Clinical Neurophysiology found that a single session of cervical (neck) spine manipulation led to significant changes in somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) – basically the brain’s electrical response to sensory stimulipubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Specifically, researchers recorded a decrease in the amplitude of certain cortical SEP components (N20 and N30 waves) after an adjustment, indicating a modulation of cortical sensory processingpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

These changes were not seen in control subjects who just had passive head movement, suggesting it was the spinal adjustment itself that produced a neural effectpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The authors concluded that spinal manipulation can induce transient plastic changes in the brain and “may alter cortical somatosensory processing and sensorimotor integration”pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In simpler terms, adjusting the spine appeared to help the brain reorganize or better integrate sensory information – exactly the kind of effect that could benefit someone with autism’s sensory challenges.

Further research has pinpointed that these neural changes involve high-level brain regions. A 2016 study using EEG and source-localization techniques showed that after chiropractic adjustments, there were changes in activity within the prefrontal cortex, an area responsible for executive functions, attention, and integrating sensory inputchiropractic.org.nz. The study confirmed prior findings that spinal adjustments altered the N30 SEP (a specific brain response), and importantly demonstrated that this change was happening predominantly in the prefrontal cortexchiropractic.org.nz. Why is this significant? The prefrontal cortex helps regulate behavior, focus, and decision-making – skills that are often lagging in ASD. A change in prefrontal activity following chiropractic care “may explain and/or link some of the varied improvements in neural function previously reported” with chiropractic, according to the authorspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In essence, by improving processing in the prefrontal region, chiropractic adjustments might contribute to better cognitive function, attention, and social behavior. These neurological studies support the idea that chiropractic care can help the nervous system work more efficiently, which for a person with autism could translate to improvements in how they perceive and interact with their environment.

Another physiological domain influenced by chiropractic is the autonomic nervous system (ANS) – the balance between fight-or-flight and rest-and-digest. Adjustments often have a calming effect on patients, and research using heart rate variability explains why. In a multicenter clinical study, 96 chiropractors measured HRV in patients before and after a single spinal adjustment. The results showed a significant shift toward parasympathetic dominance after the adjustment: patients’ average heart rate dropped (from ~76.7 to 74.3 bpm, p<0.01) and measures of HRV increased markedlypubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Notably, the high-frequency (HF) component of HRV – which corresponds to parasympathetic (vagal) activity – rose significantly post-adjustmentpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Overall HRV power also increased, indicating a more adaptable, less stressed autonomic statepubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The authors concluded that “HRV…changed in patients as a result of chiropractic care”pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. What this means for a child with ASD is potentially profound: chiropractic adjustments can help dial down the chronic fight-or-flight response.

By stimulating the calming parasympathetic side of the nervous system, chiropractic may help an over-aroused autistic child feel more relaxed and centered. Parents often report improvements like better sleep and less hyperactivity following adjustments, which align with the observed physiological shift toward relaxationignitechirotx.comignitechirotx.com.In summary, chiropractic care addresses nervous system inefficiencies on multiple levels. It reduces physical stress on nerves through spinal alignment, it influences brain processing of sensory inputs, and it helps balance the autonomic responses to stress. All of these effects create a more efficient, less “noisy” neurological environment for the individual with ASD. With improved sensorimotor integration and a calmer baseline state, the person is better equipped to engage, learn, and cope with daily stimuli. Next, we’ll explore the real-world outcomes observed when individuals with spectrum disorders receive chiropractic care – from improved behaviors to happier lives.

Positive Outcomes: Research and Case Studies on Chiropractic in ASD

Clinical evidence, though still emerging, paints an encouraging picture of what chiropractic care can do for those with autism spectrum disorders. Dozens of case reports, small studies, and a handful of reviews have documented improvements across a range of ASD symptoms following chiropractic interventions. Importantly, the literature to date shows consistently positive results – not a single published study reported worsening or no change in core autism behaviors with chiropractic carejccponline.comjccponline.com. While most publications are individual cases or series rather than large trials, they collectively reinforce a clear trend: children (and even adults) with ASD tend to improve under chiropractic care. Below are some noteworthy findings and examples:

Improved Communication and Sociability: In one case, a 3-year-old girl with severe autism (non-verbal, significant developmental delays) was evaluated over seven months of chiropractic care. Initially, she could not speak or tolerate being touched and frequently walked on her toes. After a trial of regular chiropractic adjustments (using gentle, instrument-assisted techniques), her mother reported “improvements in all areas of development”jccponline.com. Objective testing using the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) showed a dramatic reduction in her symptom severity score – from 105 before care to 63 after 6 weeks, and down to 32 after seven monthsjccponline.com. This indicates major gains in language, cognitive awareness, sociability, and behavior. The chiropractor noted that this case helps “strengthen the relationship between correcting subluxations and improvements in the myriad of symptoms” in ASD childrenjccponline.com. In practical terms, the previously non-verbal child began engaging more, likely developed some language or alternative communication, and could handle interactions far better than before. Her mother was so satisfied that she continued chiropractic care beyond the study period, and the child’s progress persistedjccponline.com.

Reduced Aggression and Self-Injury: A published case series followed two older individuals with autism – a 20-year-old male who had aggressive outbursts and a 17-year-old female who engaged in self-injurious behaviorvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. Both received chiropractic adjustments weekly for about 4–5 months. The outcomes were very positive: the young man’s aggressive behavior toward others decreased significantly, and the young woman’s self-harming behaviors reduced while her socialization improved (she became more interactive instead of isolated)vertebralsubluxationresearch.com. The chiropractors reported “favorable results after chiropractic care” in both cases, suggesting that even severe behavioral issues in autism can be mitigated when the nervous system is balancedvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. This is especially compelling because aggression and self-injury are among the most challenging, stress-inducing issues for families; seeing them lessen can be life-changing for everyone involved.

Better Motor Skills and Reduced Repetitive Behaviors: Some children with ASD have co-occurring motor development problems – for example, toe-walking (persistently walking on tiptoes) or poor coordination. An illustrative case involved an 8-year-old boy with autism who had idiopathic toe-walking that hadn’t resolved with eight months of physical therapypubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Under chiropractic care, the doctor took a functional neurologic approach: they assessed retained primitive reflexes (common in neurodevelopmental disorders) and gave exercises to integrate them, combined with regular spinal adjustments. Over a short span, the child’s gait pattern transformed. The chiropractic records showed that the boy “achieved proper gait mechanics” with a normal heel-to-toe walk and improved timing and coordinationpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. This improvement was maintained by assigning him simple tasks (like walking while performing a cognitive task) to reinforce the new motor pattern. The case concluded that chiropractic management – especially when including reflex integration exercises – “may prove useful in children who toe walk” and generally in those with psychomotor delayspubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Considering that toe-walking in autism is often linked to sensory issues (e.g., abnormal proprioceptive processing in the feet), the success here again points to chiropractic care helping the nervous system process and respond to sensory input more normally.

Focus, Hyperactivity, and Quality of Life: Beyond individual cases, larger reviews of multiple patients also support chiropractic benefits. A recent retrospective study in 2025 looked at 180 school-aged children, including many with neurodevelopmental disorders (ASD, ADHD, etc.), who received 12 weeks of chiropractic care in a school clinic setting. The study found statistically significant improvements in standardized caregiver surveys: specifically, the children’s overall health-related quality of life improved, and there was a significant reduction in hyperactivity symptoms on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnairepubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In other words, after three months of periodic adjustments, kids were reported to be calmer, less fidgety, and enjoying a better daily functioning. This was not a controlled trial, but the consistent gains across such a large sample suggest that chiropractic can positively impact behavior and well-being on a broad scale. The authors noted these findings and called for further clinical trials, optimistic that chiropractic care yielded meaningful changes in these children’s livespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

These examples barely scratch the surface. Additional case reports have documented outcomes like improved attention span, better eye contact, reductions in sensory aversions, fewer digestive issues, and enhanced sleep patterns in children with ASD after chiropractic care (often reported anecdotally by parents and chiropractors). A 2018 selective review identified 11 studies on chiropractic and autism, concluding that “there appears to be a relationship between chiropractic neurological intervention and positive outcomes with improved behavior” in autistic individualsvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. Likewise, an earlier systematic review by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association found the literature, though limited, uniformly showed improvement in autism symptoms following chiropractic care in the cases reportedjccponline.comjccponline.com. No serious adverse effects were noted, and the only consistent critique was the need for more rigorous research – which is a fair point. However, the lack of large randomized trials does not negate the real improvements documented in numerous individual cases.

One particularly striking study deserves special mention: a small randomized clinical trial by Khorshid et al. that directly compared two chiropractic approaches for children with autismvertebralsubluxationresearch.comvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. In this study, 14 children with autism were first given a period of full-spine chiropractic adjustments. Then, in a randomized crossover design, half were switched to a specialized upper cervical technique (focused only on the upper neck), while the other half continued with full-spine adjustmentsvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. All children were assessed over 3–5 months using the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) filled out by parents. The results were telling: Both groups showed improvement, but the upper cervical group improved significantly more. ATEC scores in the upper-cervical group improved by an average of 32%, compared to an 8% improvement in the full-spine groupvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. In fact, six of seven children receiving upper neck adjustments had notable clinical gains, and remarkably two of those children no longer met the diagnostic criteria for autism after a few months of carevertebralsubluxationresearch.com. Even in the full-spine group, five of seven children improved, though to a lesser degreevertebralsubluxationresearch.com.The trial’s conclusion was that chiropractic care benefited these autistic children, with upper cervical adjustments yielding the most significant improvementsvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. While this was a small pilot study, it provides compelling evidence that chiropractic can directly reduce the severity of autism symptoms, and it hints that certain techniques might be especially effective at influencing neurological function. Imagine hearing that a non-invasive therapy helped some children lose their autism diagnosis – it’s an extraordinary outcome that certainly warrants further investigation and, for families, offers hope.

To summarize the clinical evidence: Chiropractic interventions have been associated with better outcomes in communication, social behaviors, repetitive behaviors, motor skills, focus, and emotional regulation in individuals with ASD. Every published report to date has observed some level of improvement, whether modest or profound. As one review put it, even though much of the evidence comes from case reports, the findings are uniformly “favorable with respect to the severity of [autism] symptoms” after chiropractic or similar manual therapyjccponline.com. Families often describe their children as calmer, more aware, more “present” and adaptable following a series of adjustments. These results are especially encouraging given that conventional medicine offers very little for the core challenges of autism beyond behavioral therapy. The safety profile of pediatric chiropractic, when performed by trained professionals, is also high – meaning parents can feel comfortable exploring this option for their child without the worry of significant side effects.

Reducing Stress and Enhancing Sensory Integration: Why Chiropractic Makes a Difference

Why do so many of these children improve? It circles back to the concepts we discussed earlier – chiropractic care helps the nervous system function optimally by clearing out interference and balancing its responses. Consider a child with ASD who is easily overwhelmed by stimuli and lives in a near-constant state of fight-or-flight. Their baseline might be equivalent to everyone else’s “high stress” level. Now consider what happens when a skilled chiropractor adjusts areas of spinal tension: spinal joints that were not moving right are freed, nerve irritation is relieved, and almost immediately the brain receives a flood of more normalized sensory input from that area of the spine (proprioceptive signals from muscles and joints). This neural reset can trigger the parasympathetic nervous system to engage. We saw concrete evidence of this in the HRV study – heart rate slowed and vagal activity increased post-adjustmentpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. For the child, this could mean they suddenly feel a sense of calm or relief. Over time and multiple adjustments, this reduced autonomic stress may become the new norm, allowing the child to experience the world without the constant “red alert” of their nervous system. Parents of children under chiropractic care often report fewer meltdowns and improved adaptability to routine changes, which aligns with the idea that the child’s internal stress threshold has been raised (it takes more to push them into overload because their nervous system is more resilient).

Additionally, by improving spinal function, chiropractic likely influences the way the brain receives and filters sensory information. Neurophysiology research suggests that chiropractic adjustments modulate sensorimotor integration – the brain’s ability to integrate input from the senses and coordinate an appropriate motor or behavioral responsepubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In an autism context, better sensorimotor integration might mean, for example, that a light touch no longer feels like an unbearable scratch, or that a child can tolerate noises at the supermarket without shutting down. It might help them develop more coordinated motor responses, which can improve skills from handwriting to playing on the playground. In one fascinating review on chiropractic and sensorimotor dysfunction, researchers noted that improvements in prefrontal cortex activity after adjustments could “link some of the varied improvements in neural function” observed clinically, such as better joint coordination, reaction time, or cognitive processingpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Essentially, by fine-tuning the “software” of the nervous system, chiropractic adjustments help eliminate inefficient processing loops or overreactions. The nervous system can process input with less distortion, reducing the erratic or extreme outputs (whether that’s a flailing behavior or an anxious withdrawal).

Another factor to consider is primitive reflexes and developmental synchronization. Many children with neurodevelopmental disorders retain infantile reflexes that should have faded away as the brain matured (for instance, the Moro reflex or asymmetrical tonic neck reflex). These retained reflexes can interfere with normal sensory-motor development and are thought to contribute to issues in autism and ADHDpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Some chiropractors and allied practitioners incorporate reflex integration techniques into their care – as we saw in the toe-walking case. By combining spinal adjustments with exercises that specifically target these neurological reflex loops, practitioners can accelerate developmental progress. Research in Frontiers in Neurology (Melillo et al., 2022) has highlighted the high prevalence of retained primitive reflexes in ASD and suggests that targeted interventions to integrate these reflexes can lead to improvement in autism symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments can play a role here by removing spinal stress that might be perpetuating certain reflex patterns, thereby “resetting” the stage for more appropriate neurological responsespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The result is a child whose developmental trajectory can resume moving forward, acquiring skills that were previously stalled.

In summary, chiropractic care reduces variables that hinder efficient information processing in the nervous system. It diminishes physiological stress (making the child feel more at ease), it improves the clarity of sensory signals reaching the brain, and it may assist in normalizing developmental neurological patterns. All these effects translate into a nervous system that can do its job – regulating the body and interpreting the world – with greater ease and accuracy. For a person with ASD, that can mean the difference between chaos and relative calm, between isolation and engagement.

Conclusion: A Promising Path for Spectrum Disorders

Chiropractic care offers a promising and empowering avenue for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. While no single therapy is a “magic bullet” for autism, the evidence we’ve reviewed shows that chiropractic can meaningfully improve the lives of those on the spectrum by addressing the root of so many ASD challenges – dysfunction in the nervous system. By helping the brain and body communicate better, chiropractic adjustments tend to reduce the sensory overwhelm, physical tension, and internal stress that autistic individuals often endure. The outcomes reported include improved communication, better social interactions, reduced problematic behaviors, enhanced focus, and an overall boost in quality of lifejccponline.com vertebralsubluxationresearch.com pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. These are exactly the areas where conventional approaches sometimes fall short, especially when medications simply mask symptoms or cause side effects without addressing neurological function.

It’s important to note that chiropractic care for autism is typically provided as part of a holistic plan – one piece of the puzzle alongside behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutritional support, and educational interventions. Chiropractic does not replace those services; rather, it may amplify their effectiveness. When a child is calmer and processing input more normally thanks to regular adjustments, they are often more receptive to learning in therapy or school. This complementary aspect is why so many parents are enthusiastic about adding chiropractic to their child’s regimen. In one survey and review, researchers found that given the lack of definitive medical treatments for ASD, a trial of chiropractic care for autism sufferers is “prudent and warranted”pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In other words, respected practitioners and researchers recognize that the potential benefits far outweigh any minimal risks, especially when delivered by a chiropractor experienced in pediatrics. Chiropractic is gentle – often using light fingertip pressure or instruments for children – and kids on the spectrum usually find the sessions enjoyable or at least not distressing.

We should acknowledge that more large-scale research is needed to fully understand the extent of chiropractic’s impact on ASD and to identify which sub-populations respond best. However, the consistency of positive case outcomes and the solid neurophysiological basis give a strong rationale for families to “look into getting chiropractic care” for their loved one with a spectrum disorder. As an educational take-home: the nervous system is central to everything we do, feel, and perceive. Autism manifests when the nervous system is not operating typically. Chiropractic care is fundamentally about helping the nervous system function at its best, free of interference. Given this alignment, it is not surprising that so many children with ASD have shown improvements under chiropractic care – their brains and bodies are finally given a chance to synchronize and self-regulate better.

If you or a family member is on the autism spectrum, consider consulting a chiropractor (especially one with pediatric or neurological specialty training). They can assess for areas of spinal dysfunction that might be impacting the nervous system. Even a few months of care could yield changes in comfort, behavior, or developmental progress that make daily life easier. As one systematic review noted, every study to date reported improvement in autism symptoms after chiropractic interventionsjccponline.com, and further research is encouraged to refine this approach – but you don’t have to wait for absolute scientific consensus to seek beneficial help. The persuasive real-world evidence and the underlying science both suggest that chiropractic is a worthy addition to the spectrum disorder toolkit. It offers hope of reducing the stress and inefficiencies in an ASD individual’s nervous system, helping them move through the world with less burden and more potential. For many families, that hope has already become reality in the form of happier, more connected children. Chiropractic care, rooted in improving nervous system health, truly aligns with the needs of those with autism – and it may unlock new levels of ability and ease that once seemed out of reach.

Sources:

Alcantara J. et al. (2011). A systematic review of the literature on the chiropractic care of patients with autism spectrum disorder – Explore (NY) 7(6):384-390. “At the heart of ASD’s core symptoms is abnormal sensory processing… preliminary studies indicate chiropractic adjustment may improve sensorimotor integration… Given the ineffectiveness of pharmaceuticals, a trial of chiropractic care for autism is prudent and warranted.”pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Kronau S. et al. (2016). Clinical effects of spinal manipulation in the management of children with autism – J. Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics 16(3):1388-1397. “Included 1 RCT, 1 case series, 11 case reports… All studies indicated improvement in autistic symptoms after the manual intervention… literature appears favorable with respect to symptom severity.”jccponline.comjccponline.com
Shreeve MW, Troxel AR. (2018). Autism & Chiropractic: A Selective Review of Literature – J. Pediatr. Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic 2018:150-154. “11 studies on chiropractic and autism were reviewed. Research has shown there appears to be a relationship between chiropractic neurological intervention and positive outcomes with improved behavior in individuals with autism.”vertebralsubluxationresearch.com
Khorshid KA et al. (2006). Clinical efficacy of upper cervical vs. full spine chiropractic care on children with autism: a randomized clinical trial – J. Vertebral Subluxation Res. 2006(Mar 9):1-7. “14 autistic children were studied (7 upper cervical, 7 full-spine). ATEC scores improved 32% in the upper cervical group vs 8.3% in full-spine. Two children under upper cervical care no longer met criteria for autism following the interventions.”vertebralsubluxationresearch.com
Cleave J et al. (2011). Improvement in autistic behaviors following chiropractic care: a case series – J. Pediatr. Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic 2011(4):125-131. “Two cases (20-year-old autistic male with aggression, 17-year-old autistic female with self-injury) underwent 4–5 months of chiropractic care. Both responded favorably: the male had decreased aggressive behavior, and the female decreased self-abuse with improved socialization. These cases support that individuals with autism may benefit from chiropractic care.”vertebralsubluxationresearch.comvertebralsubluxationresearch.com
Makela SK. (2018). Improvements in a three-year-old girl diagnosed with ASD following a trial of chiropractic care: case report – J. Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics 17(3):1507-1514. “After 7 months of subluxation-based chiropractic care, a previously non-verbal 3-year-old girl with ASD showed improvements in all areas (language, sociability, cognitive, behavior). ATEC score dropped from 105 pre-care to 63 after 6 weeks and 32 after 7 months. This strengthens the link between correcting subluxations and improvements in ASD symptoms.”jccponline.comjccponline.com
Shaw T, Soto-Garcia M. (2021). Chiropractic management of toe-walking in an 8-year-old with autism using a functional approach – J. Bodywork & Movement Therapies 26:538-541. “The child’s performance of reflex integration exercises significantly improved, and he achieved proper gait mechanics. Findings suggest chiropractic management may be useful for children who toe-walk, and warrant further investigation into primitive reflex integration in psychomotor delays.”pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Haavik-Taylor H, Murphy B. (2007). Cervical spine manipulation alters sensorimotor integration: a somatosensory evoked potential study – Clinical Neurophysiology 118(2):391-402. “A single cervical adjustment in subjects with neck stiffness led to significant attenuation of cortical somatosensory evoked responses (decreased N20/N30 amplitudes) for ~20 minutes post-treatment. No changes in control (passive head movement). Conclusion: spinal manipulation can induce transient cortical plastic changes, suggesting altered sensory processing and sensorimotor integration.”pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Lelic D et al. (2016). Manipulation of dysfunctional spinal joints affects sensorimotor integration in the prefrontal cortex: a brain source localization study – Neural Plasticity 2016:3704964. “This study reproduced previous findings that spinal manipulation decreases the N30 SEP peak amplitude and demonstrated that this decrease occurs predominantly in the prefrontal cortex – a key area for sensorimotor integration and executive function.”chiropractic.org.nz
Zhang J et al. (2006). Effect of chiropractic care on heart rate variability and pain in a multisite clinical study – J. Manipulative Physiol. Ther. 29(4):267-274. “After one chiropractic adjustment (96 subjects): pain scores significantly decreased, mean heart rate dropped (~76.7 to 74.3 bpm, p<.01), SDNN (HRV) increased (p<.001), high-frequency HRV (parasympathetic) increased (p<.01), total power increased (p<.01). After 4 weeks of care, HRV changes (SDNN, total power, LF) remained significant. Conclusion: HRV measures changed in patients as a result of chiropractic care.”pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Lory C et al. (2020). Reduced heart rate variability in children with autism spectrum disorder – J. Autism Dev. Disord. 50(11):4183-4190. “Children with ASD showed significantly lower tonic HRV than typically developing peers, indicating autonomic dysregulation (lower parasympathetic activity). Reduced baseline HRV was associated with atypical attentional responses to sensory stimuli in ASD.”pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Duehr J et al. (2025). Retrospective review of case records of school-aged children receiving chiropractic care – J. Bodywork & Movement Therapies 42:948-954. “In 180 children (age 5–18) after 12 weeks of chiropractic care, statistically significant improvements were noted in Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scores (overall QOL and ‘health & activities’ subscale) and in the hyperactivity domain of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. This suggests some positive changes in health-related quality of life and behavior following chiropractic care in this population.”pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov