If your child has autism, you’ve probably tried everything.
Speech therapy. Occupational therapy. ABA. Dietary interventions. Supplements. Medications. Specialized schools. Sensory tools. Weighted blankets. You’ve read every book, joined every Facebook group, attended every workshop.
And yet, the meltdowns continue. The sleepless nights persist. The constipation won’t resolve. The sensory overwhelm is constant. Your beautiful child is locked inside a body that can’t seem to adapt to the world around them.
What if the missing piece isn’t another therapy to add to the schedule?
What if the answer lies in addressing the one system that controls and coordinates everything else in your child’s body—the nervous system?
Welcome to nervous system-focused chiropractic care for autism. This isn’t about “curing” or “treating” autism. This is about giving your child’s brain and body the opportunity to function as optimally as possible, to process stress more effectively, and to finally find the regulation they’ve been searching for.
The Autism Epidemic: What’s Really Happening?
The statistics are staggering. In 2000, autism affected 1 in 150 children. Today, it’s 1 in 36. In boys, the rates are even higher—1 in 24.
Parents are told it’s genetic. They’re told “we’re just better at diagnosing it now.” They’re told to accept it and manage symptoms for life.
But here’s what they’re NOT being told: Autism is a neurological condition, and the nervous system can change.
At Transform Chiropractic in Shoreview, Minnesota, we’ve worked with hundreds of children on the autism spectrum throughout Ramsey County—from Roseville to White Bear Lake, Arden Hills to Vadnais Heights and beyond. What we’ve discovered through advanced nervous system scanning technology and clinical outcomes is this:
Children with autism are living in chronic nervous system dysregulation—and it started earlier than anyone realizes.
The Root Cause: It Starts Before Birth
Here’s what our research and clinical experience reveals: there is a direct, undeniable link between perinatal stress (stress during pregnancy and birth) and the development of autism.
What Happens In Utero
Your baby’s nervous system begins developing in the first few weeks of pregnancy. By the time you see that positive test, the foundation is already being laid.
When a mother experiences chronic stress during pregnancy—whether physical (poor positioning, pelvic misalignment), chemical (toxin exposure, poor nutrition), or emotional (trauma, anxiety, life stress)—the baby’s developing nervous system is bathed in stress hormones.
This isn’t about blame. This is about understanding. Modern life is MORE stressful than any generation before. Mothers are working longer, sleeping less, exposed to more environmental toxins, and under unprecedented pressure.
The baby’s nervous system adapts to this stress environment. It becomes wired for threat, not safety. The foundation is set for sympathetic dominance (chronic fight-or-flight activation) before birth even occurs.
Birth Trauma: The Breaking Point
Then comes birth. In the United States:
- 32% of babies are born via C-section
- 73% of vaginal births involve some form of intervention (epidural, Pitocin, vacuum, forceps)
- Birth trauma to the upper cervical spine (neck) and brainstem is extremely common but rarely assessed
Even “normal” births involve tremendous force on a newborn’s delicate spine and nervous system—up to 60-90 pounds of pulling force in some assisted deliveries.
This physical trauma to the spine, particularly the upper neck where the brainstem exits, creates interference in the nervous system. The brain’s ability to communicate with the body is disrupted. The autonomic nervous system (which controls automatic functions like digestion, sleep, immune response, sensory processing) gets stuck in survival mode.
The Cascade: Why Regression Happens
After birth, the baby’s already-stressed nervous system now faces:
- Vaccinations (a necessary immune stressor)
- Acetaminophen/Tylenol (impacts detoxification pathways)
- Dairy and food proteins (digestive challenges)
- Sensory input (lights, sounds, textures)
- Developmental demands (rolling, sitting, walking, talking)
For a child with a REGULATED nervous system, these are manageable challenges. The body adapts. Development progresses.
For a child with a DYSREGULATED nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight, every challenge is a threat. The body cannot adapt. It goes into protection mode.
This is why so many parents report regression around 12-18 months—often after a well-child visit, a round of vaccines, or introduction of new foods. It’s not that these things “caused” autism. It’s that the nervous system was already maxed out, and one more stressor tipped the scale.
The body shuts down what it perceives as non-essential (communication, social engagement, flexible thinking) and redirects all resources to survival (sensory hypervigilance, rigid routines, gut shutdown, sleep disruption).
This is nervous system dysregulation. And this is what we address with chiropractic care.
What We See: The Neurology of Autism
At Transform Chiropractic, we don’t guess about what’s happening in your child’s nervous system. We measure it with three advanced scanning technologies:
1. Surface Electromyography (sEMG): The “Noise” Scan
sEMG measures the electrical activity and tension in the muscles along the spine. In children with autism, we consistently see:
Extremely high tone—off-the-charts muscle tension indicating a NOISY, revved-up sensorimotor system.
Imagine trying to have a conversation at a rock concert. That’s what your child’s brain is experiencing 24/7. The sensory input coming IN is distorted by all the noise. The motor output going OUT is uncoordinated.
This is why your child:
- Has sensory sensitivities (tags on clothes, certain textures, loud noises feel unbearable)
- Struggles with motor planning (fine motor skills, coordination, clumsiness)
- Seeks or avoids sensory input (spinning, crashing, covering ears, avoiding touch)
- Has difficulty with body awareness and safety
Their nervous system is so loud, they can’t accurately perceive or respond to the world.
2. Thermal Scanning: The Autonomic Chaos
Thermal scanning measures temperature differences along the spine, revealing how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is functioning. The ANS controls:
- Digestion and gut motility
- Sleep-wake cycles
- Immune function
- Heart rate and breathing
- Emotional regulation
In children with autism, we see:
Sympathetic dominance (fight-or-flight stuck ON) and complete autonomic exhaustion/confusion.
This shows up as:
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea (gut is shut down or in spasm)
- Sleep issues (can’t shift into parasympathetic “rest” mode)
- Frequent illness (immune system dysregulation)
- Emotional volatility (no brake pedal on stress response)
- Difficulty with transitions (nervous system can’t shift gears)
3. Heart Rate Variability (HRV): The Adaptability Measure
HRV measures how well your child’s nervous system can adapt to stress. High HRV = good adaptability, resilience, flexible nervous system. Low HRV = poor stress tolerance, rigid, stuck.
Children with autism have extremely low HRV. Their nervous system has ONE setting: high alert.
They cannot:
- Shift from playtime to calm-down time
- Transition from one activity to another
- Handle changes in routine
- Recover from meltdowns
- Process new information flexibly
This isn’t behavioral. This is neurological. Their brain literally cannot shift out of survival mode.
The Symptoms: What Parents See Every Day
When your child’s nervous system is stuck in this state of dysregulation, you see it in every aspect of their life:
Digestive Issues
- Chronic constipation (sometimes going 7-10 days without a bowel movement)
- Diarrhea or alternating constipation/diarrhea
- Extreme food selectivity (limited “safe” foods)
- Reflux, gas, bloating
- Leaky gut and food sensitivities
Sleep Disruption
- Difficulty falling asleep (can take hours)
- Frequent night waking
- Early morning waking (4-5am)
- Inability to sleep alone
- Exhausted but “wired”
Sensory Processing Challenges
- Sensory sensitivities (sounds, textures, lights, tags, smells)
- Sensory seeking (crashing, spinning, chewing, pressure)
- Poor body awareness and coordination
- Difficulty with transitions between environments
- Overwhelm in busy or new settings
Emotional Dysregulation & Meltdowns
- Intense, prolonged meltdowns over seemingly small triggers
- Difficulty calming down once upset
- Explosive reactions to changes in routine
- Extreme emotional responses (all or nothing)
- Shutdowns or withdrawal when overwhelmed
Communication Challenges
- Delayed or limited speech
- Echolalia (repeating words or phrases)
- Difficulty with back-and-forth conversation
- Nonverbal or minimally verbal
- Regression in language skills
Behavioral & Social Challenges
- Difficulty with eye contact
- Limited interest in social interaction
- Rigid thinking and need for sameness
- Stimming (hand flapping, rocking, spinning)
- Difficulty reading social cues
- Struggles with pretend play
Executive Function & Developmental Delays
- Difficulty with focus and attention
- Poor impulse control
- Challenges with planning and organization
- Delayed developmental milestones
- Difficulty learning new skills
Every single one of these symptoms is connected to nervous system dysregulation.
Chiropractic Care: Not a Treatment, An Optimization
Let’s be crystal clear: Chiropractic care does not treat or cure autism.
What we DO is this: We optimize the function of the nervous system—the core system of the body that processes and responds to ALL information, controlling and coordinating every organ, tissue, and cell.
Think of it this way:
- Your child’s brain is the CEO
- The spinal cord and nerves are the communication network
- Every organ and system is an employee waiting for instructions
When there’s interference in that communication network (what we call subluxation—misalignment and nerve interference in the spine), the messages get garbled. The CEO’s instructions don’t reach the employees clearly. Chaos ensues.
Chiropractic adjustments remove that interference. We restore proper alignment and movement to the spine, particularly in the upper cervical area (neck) where the brainstem exits. This allows the brain and body to communicate clearly again.
When communication is restored:
- The autonomic nervous system can shift out of fight-or-flight
- The sensory system can process input more accurately
- The digestive system can function properly
- The sleep-wake cycle can regulate
- The brain can learn, adapt, and develop
We’re not changing your child. We’re giving their body the opportunity to function as it was designed to—optimally.
What Changes First: The Parent Perspective
When families bring their children with autism to Transform Chiropractic, here’s the typical progression of changes:
Week 1-2: Sleep and Digestion
Parents almost always notice improvements in sleep and gut function first. Why? Because when the nervous system shifts out of fight-or-flight, the body can finally rest and digest.
You might see:
- Falling asleep faster
- Sleeping more soundly through the night
- First bowel movement in days (sometimes a HUGE one!)
- Less gas and bloating
- Improved appetite or willingness to try new foods
Week 3-6: Calm and Adaptability
Next, you’ll notice your child is more CALM. Situations that would have previously caused meltdowns are now manageable.
You might see:
- Fewer meltdowns or shorter duration
- Better transitions between activities
- More flexibility with routine changes
- Able to recover from upset more quickly
- Less sensory overwhelm in busy environments
Week 6-12: Communication and Connection
As the nervous system continues to regulate, the social engagement system comes back online. This is when parents start seeing communication breakthroughs.
You might see:
- New words or phrases
- More eye contact
- Initiating interaction with family members
- Responding to their name
- Attempting to communicate needs
- Interest in playing with others
Month 3-8: Development and Learning
With a regulated nervous system, your child’s brain can finally LEARN. Developmental skills that were stalled begin to progress.
You might see:
- Improved fine motor skills
- Better coordination and body awareness
- Progress in therapies (OT, speech) that wasn’t happening before
- New skills emerging
- More independence in daily tasks
- Academic progress
Important: Every child’s timeline is different. Severity of dysregulation, length of time in dysregulation, and other therapies/interventions all play a role.
Meet Alex: From Regression to Recovery
Alex’s mom came to one of our community workshops when Alex was 8 years old. She was exhausted, heartbroken, and desperate for answers.
Alex had been developing normally until his 18-month well-child visit. Immediately after, everything changed. His communication stopped. His gut completely shut down—going days without bowel movements, screaming in pain. His development stopped progressing. Eye contact disappeared.
For the next six and a half years, Alex’s family tried everything. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, ABA, special diets, supplements, medications. Some things helped a little. Nothing made a significant difference.
When Alex came to Transform Chiropractic, his nervous system scans showed exactly what we expected: extreme sympathetic dominance, off-the-charts muscle tension, and autonomic chaos.
We started intensive care—adjustments 3-4 times per week initially.
Within the first two weeks, his gut started working. The painful gas and constipation began to resolve. He was having regular bowel movements for the first time in years.
By week 6, his communication began to return. He was saying words he had NEVER been able to say before. He was making eye contact again—looking at his mom, his dad, his siblings.
By month 3, he was sleeping in his own bed for the first time ever—without needing mom next to him all night.
Today, Alex continues in wellness care. He’s not “cured” of autism—he’s still Alex, beautifully autistic. But he’s FUNCTIONING. He’s comfortable in his body. He’s able to learn, grow, and connect with his family in ways that seemed impossible before.
His mom’s words: “You gave me my son back. Not a different son—the son who was trapped inside a dysregulated body.”
“But How Will You Even Adjust My Child?”
This is the most common question we hear from parents. And we completely understand it.
You’re picturing your child who:
- Won’t sit still
- Hates being touched
- Melts down over small changes
- Can’t follow directions
- Needs everything just so
You’re thinking, “There’s no way my child will lay on a table and let you adjust them.”
Here’s what we want you to know: We’ve been doing this for years. We know exactly how to work with your child.
Let me tell you about one of the first children with severe autism I ever adjusted as a nervous system chiropractor.
This child would not engage in touch at all. Eye contact was impossible. Being in a bright, loud room was unbearable.
We had to adjust this child in a dark, padded room. We moved slowly. We followed the child’s lead. We made no demands.
After the first two adjustments, something incredible happened.
The child started coming into the office through the front door (previously impossible—too bright, too loud). The child would come find me and the other chiropractors, grab our hands, and place them on their neck.
Why? Because their brain noticed the difference.
Think about it: This child had been living in a rock-concert level of neurological NOISE for their entire life. That was their normal.
When that noise started to calm down—when the nervous system interference was removed—they FELT the relief. They wanted more of it.
Your child’s brain knows what it needs. When we start removing interference and their nervous system begins to quiet, they will often seek out care themselves.
We’ve had nonverbal children who pull their parents into our office on adjustment days. We’ve had children who run to the adjustment table excitedly. We’ve had children who communicate through behavior, “I need an adjustment today.”
We meet every child exactly where they are. Adjustments can happen:
- On the floor
- In a parent’s lap
- While playing with a toy
- While watching a video
- Standing up
- In a dark room
- With noise-canceling headphones
- Whatever your child needs to feel safe
And our adjustments are gentle. We’re not cracking and popping. We use specific, low-force techniques designed for pediatrics. Most children don’t even realize they’ve been adjusted.
The Corrective Care Journey: What to Expect
Every child’s nervous system is different, so every care plan is customized. Here’s the general framework:
Initial Phase: Intensive Restoration (2-5x/week)
Duration: Typically 2-5 months, sometimes longer for complex cases
In this phase, we’re working to shift the nervous system out of chronic fight-or-flight and into regulation. Think of it like physical therapy for the nervous system—frequent, consistent input to create change.
We start with high frequency because:
- Your child’s nervous system has been dysregulated for YEARS
- The patterns are deeply ingrained
- Frequent adjustments create momentum for change
- We’re retraining how the brain and body communicate
As we see progress on scans and in symptoms, we reduce frequency gradually.
Transition Phase: Stabilization (1-2x/week)
Duration: 2-4 months
Once we’ve created significant change, we transition to less frequent care to stabilize those gains. The nervous system is holding the changes better, but we’re still actively working toward optimal function.
Wellness Phase: Maintenance (Biweekly to 1x/week)
Duration: Ongoing
Just like you don’t stop eating healthy once you lose weight, you don’t stop chiropractic care once your child’s nervous system is regulated.
Your child lives in a stressful world. School demands, sensory input, growth spurts, illnesses, schedule changes—all of these stress the nervous system.
Wellness care keeps your child functioning optimally so they can handle life’s stresses without regressing into dysregulation.
Many of our families stay in wellness care long-term because they see the dramatic difference it makes in their child’s daily life.
Chiropractic + Other Therapies: The Power of Integration
We often hear from parents: “We’re already doing speech therapy, OT, and ABA. How can we possibly add another thing?”
Here’s the truth: Chiropractic care makes every other therapy MORE effective.
Think about it:
- Speech therapy requires a calm nervous system to process language and form words
- Occupational therapy requires body awareness and motor planning—both dependent on nervous system function
- ABA requires the ability to learn and adapt—impossible when stuck in fight-or-flight
- Dietary interventions require a functioning digestive system—controlled by the autonomic nervous system
When the nervous system is dysregulated, your child is working SO HARD just to survive. There’s no bandwidth left for learning, developing, or engaging with therapies.
When the nervous system is regulated, their brain can actually RECEIVE and USE the input from therapies.
We consistently hear from parents:
- “My child is suddenly making progress in speech therapy after months of being stuck”
- “Our OT said whatever you’re doing, keep doing it—she’s seeing huge changes”
- “ABA is actually working now”
Chiropractic care is the foundation. It optimizes the nervous system so everything else can work better.
Why Every Child with Autism Deserves This Care
Here’s our belief at Transform Chiropractic:
Every child with autism should have access to nervous system chiropractic care to help them function as optimally as possible in response to stress.
Not because it’s a cure. Not because it will make them neurotypical.
But because every child deserves:
- A body that feels comfortable and safe
- A nervous system that can adapt rather than panic
- Restful sleep and comfortable digestion
- The ability to learn and grow
- Connection with their family
- The best possible quality of life
Your child is not broken. Their nervous system is dysregulated—and that can change.
Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize and create new neural pathways—is HIGHEST in childhood. The younger we can intervene, the more profound the changes we can create.
But it’s never too late. We’ve worked with teenagers and even adults with autism who experience life-changing improvements in nervous system regulation.
What Parents Are Searching For (And Finding Here)
If you found this blog, you probably Googled something like:
- “Natural treatment for autism”
- “Help for autistic child’s meltdowns”
- “Autism and the nervous system”
- “Chiropractor for autism near me”
- “Alternative therapies for autism”
- “How to help my autistic child sleep”
You’re exhausted. You’re overwhelmed. You’ve tried so many things. You’re wondering if anything will ever truly help.
You’re in the right place.
We’re not offering false hope or miracle cures. We’re offering something evidence-based, neurologically sound, and clinically proven: optimization of your child’s nervous system so they can function at their highest potential.
We serve families throughout Ramsey County and beyond—Shoreview, Roseville, Arden Hills, White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, and surrounding Minnesota communities. Families travel from across the state because this level of nervous system-focused care for autism is rare.
Your Next Step: See What’s Happening in Your Child’s Nervous System
The first step is always the same: Let’s measure what’s actually happening.
At your initial consultation, we will:
✅ Take a comprehensive health history – We want to understand your pregnancy, birth story, early development, when you first noticed concerns, what you’ve tried, and what your goals are
✅ Run advanced nervous system scans – HRV, thermal, and sEMG scans that show us exactly where dysregulation exists and how severe it is
✅ Explain the findings in parent-friendly terms – No medical jargon, just clear explanations of what we’re seeing and what it means for your child
✅ Create a customized care plan – Based on your child’s unique nervous system patterns, not a one-size-fits-all protocol
✅ Answer all your questions – This is a big decision. We want you to feel completely confident and informed
Initial consultation and scans: $200
Adjustments on care plans: $65 (discounted from $75)
Family discounts available – Because autism and associated challenges affects entire families, and often multiple family members benefit from care
We accept HSA/FSA cards.
The Truth About Autism and Hope
Here’s what we want you to know as you consider this care for your child:
Autism is not a life sentence of suffering. It’s a different neurological wiring that, when SUPPORTED properly, can be a beautiful way of experiencing the world.
But when the nervous system is dysregulated—stuck in fight-or-flight, unable to process sensory input accurately, trapped in survival mode—autism becomes a prison. Your child is locked inside, unable to express themselves, unable to connect, unable to experience comfort in their own body.
That is what we change.
We don’t change who your child is. We change how their nervous system FUNCTIONS so they can be the fullest, most comfortable, most connected version of themselves.
Imagine your child:
- Sleeping peacefully through the night
- Having comfortable, regular bowel movements
- Tolerating new foods, textures, environments
- Communicating their needs and wants
- Making eye contact and seeking connection
- Handling transitions without meltdowns
- Learning new skills in therapies
- Playing, laughing, thriving
That child is still YOUR child—just regulated, comfortable, and able to engage with life.
That’s what nervous system chiropractic care offers. Not a cure. Not a different child. The same beautiful child, finally able to function optimally.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re in Shoreview, Roseville, White Bear Lake, Arden Hills, Vadnais Heights, or anywhere in Ramsey County (or beyond), and you’re ready to see what’s possible when your child’s nervous system is optimized…
Transform Chiropractic is here for you.
📍 Transform Chiropractic
Shoreview, Minnesota | Specializing in Pediatric Nervous System Care
Schedule your initial consultation today by calling 651-252-1912 or clicking the link to schedule online. Let’s run those nervous system scans and see exactly what’s happening in your child’s body. Let’s create a roadmap to regulation, comfort, and optimal function.
Because every child with autism deserves to feel safe, comfortable, and connected in their own body.
Your child is not broken. They’re dysregulated. And that can change.
Let us show you how.
Transform Chiropractic is a nervous system-focused, pediatric chiropractic practice in Shoreview, Minnesota, serving families throughout Ramsey County including Roseville, Arden Hills, White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, and surrounding communities. We specialize in working with children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and developmental delays using advanced neurological scanning and gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments. We accept HSA/FSA and work with health sharing plans.