Children and Sensory Processing Disorders

Often it is asked, how can chiropractic help my special needs child? The simple answer is through improved function of the nervous system. This is the master control for the entire body, but this is a simplistic and basic answer. Recent developments in the field of chiropractic and neurology are better explaining this link and how to implement it in a clinical setting.

What is this new information it is the understanding of Sensory Processing Disorders or SPD. What is SPD? SPD is "a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from the brain's inability to integrate everyday sensory information revived from the five senses: touch, vision, sound, smell and taste." (Buerger, Monika DC, Pathways, Issue 19, pg 19) SPD is also includes the two lesser known senses, the vestibular and proprioception systems. The vestibular system located in the lower part of the brain called the cerebellum and the upper spinal-cord called the cervical spine and is the master regulator of all incoming sensory information ( Buerger, Monika DC, Pathways, Issue 19, pg 19). It is at this point that we start to see the development of the link between chiropractic care and SPD and it is through these links that individualized treatment can be developed thorough testing of all of these sensory systems. Once the sensory systems involved determined they can then be addressed directly and indirectly.

Deficiencies in these areas can be defined as hypo or hyper sensitive. Children who are hypersensitive are bombarded by sensory information will often appear withdrawn from society because the sensory input makes their brains uncomfortable (Buerger, Monika DC, Pathways, Issue 19, pg 19). A child who is hypo-sensitive will seek out sensory experiences to stimulate their brains (Buerger, Monika DC, Pathways, Issue 19, pg 19). There are many other symptoms depending on which sensory pathways are involved and to which degree but this can be sorted out with a complete history and a thorough examination. After this information is obtained is possible to implement a treatment protocol customized to that child's needs.

SPD is often misdiagnosed in children as ADD, ADHD, and other neuro-developmental disorders (Buerger, Monika DC, Pathways, Issue 19, pg 19). To complicate maters SPD can also co-exist with many of these conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, and Traumatic Brain Injury as well as others and can persist if untreated into adult hood and follow the child for the rest of there lives. The medical approach is to diagnose these children with conditions such as ADHD and then prescribe psychotropic drugs such as Ritalin (Buerger, Monika DC, Pathways, winter 2005, pg 3). It is important that parents educate themselves on the side effects of these medications and realize that if the child is misdiagnosed many of these medications may have the opposite effect.

So how is the chiropractic approach different? "In 2004, Dr. Melillo published a textbook titled Neuro-behavioral Disorders of Childhood - An Evolutionary Perspective, which describes what he believes to be the primary neuro-physiologic mechanism that produces many of the most common neuro-behavioral disorders. Applying this neuro-physiologic mechanism to chiropractic, he focuses on three main areas: sensory/motor systems, biomechanical/nutritional, and neuropsychological, with the main concept revolving around hemispheric balance." (Claudia Anrig, DC. http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=51097&no_paginate=true&p_friendly=true&no_b=true) From the chiropractic perspective postural imbalances caused by vertebral misalignment and nervous system involvement (subluxations) are sought out and treated. This treatment removes the effect on the neurological system from a structural stand point allowing for improved neurological function. This is accomplished trough standard chiropractic modes of treatment. The nervous system if further address through addressing the sensory deficiency and directly retraining these systems to mature and function correctly. Finally some of the nutritional components are considered such as hypo or hyper glycemia and the effects that sugar and other allergens may have on the system.

This is a brief understanding of how the chiropractic field can bring a novel new approach to children with SPD as well as other nuro-sensory disorders such as ADD, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

By: Paul R. Mahler Jr. DC

www.mahler-chiropractic.com

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