Autism support in Franklin, TN
I meet so many parents who feel like they’ve tried everything, yet their child with autism still struggles to regulate, connect or find calm.
There is hope. I help children with autism and sensory challenges by identifying where their nervous system is “stuck” in stress mode — and helping it find balance again through gentle, neurologically focused chiropractic care.
"After just a few visits, our son started sleeping through the night for the first time ever. His teachers even noticed he was calmer and more focused. Dr. Spencer has truly changed our lives.”
Lauren M - Spring Hill, TN
“We’ve tried every therapy under the sun, but this was the first time someone explained what was really going on in our son’s nervous system. The scans made it so clear — and now we’re seeing real progress.”
Kara T - Franklin, TN
Understanding Autism and the Nervous System
When children are on the autism spectrum, their nervous system often stays stuck in “fight or flight,” making it difficult to self-regulate, rest, or process input calmly. Chiropractic care looks beyond behaviors to understand what’s happening beneath the surface — inside the brain-body connection.
Common neurological stress patterns I see include:
Birth trauma or difficult deliveries (C-section, induction, forceps, etc.)
Early colic, reflux, or constipation
Sensory overload and constant fight-or-flight responses
Immune or gut imbalances
Developmental delays in speech, focus, or coordination
When the autonomic nervous system is constantly on edge, it can cause the body to stay in “go mode” — leading to meltdowns, digestive issues, poor sleep, or difficulty focusing.
How Chiropractic Care Supports Children with Autism
When the brain and body aren’t communicating clearly, even simple daily experiences can feel overwhelming. Through Insight neurological scans, I can see exactly where that communication gets disrupted — whether it’s in the upper neck, mid-back, or lower spine — and how those stress patterns are influencing your child’s ability to regulate.
These scans give us a measurable look at:
How the body is adapting to stress
Where tension or imbalance is affecting key areas of the nervous system
Whether the body is stuck in a pattern of overactivity or exhaustion
When these patterns are identified and supported properly, kids often start sleeping deeper, digesting better, and processing sensory input more calmly — because their nervous system finally has the chance to shift out of survival mode.
How the Nervous System Is Affected
Using the information from these scans, I create a plan of gentle, specific adjustments designed to calm the nervous system and improve brain-body communication. These adjustments are safe for even the most sensitive children and focus on restoring function — not forcing change.
Parents often notice gradual improvements such as:
More consistent sleep and appetite
Fewer meltdowns and easier transitions
Better focus and communication
Improved digestion and immune function
Neurological research shows that when stress is reduced along the spine and the vagus nerve can function freely, the body naturally moves toward balance and regulation.
Before
After
The goal isn’t to cure autism, but to help your child’s nervous system operate at its highest potential — so they can engage more, connect more, and thrive in everyday life.
Gentle Chiropractic Care and the Science Behind It
What Parents Commonly Notice After Care
Many parents share that within just a few weeks, they notice real changes — calmer moods, better sleep, improved focus, and fewer meltdowns.
Other common improvements include:
Calmer, happier moods
Improved digestion and sleep patterns
Greater focus and attention span
Better engagement and communication
Easier transitions and less sensory overload
Every child’s journey is unique, but when the nervous system is balanced — everything works better.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do you work with other providers or therapists?
A: Yes. Many families combine chiropractic care with speech, OT, ABA, or feeding therapy. We focus on improving the foundation — the nervous system — so other therapies can work better.
Q: Is chiropractic care safe for children with autism?
A: Absolutely. The adjustments are gentle, precise, and tailored to your child’s needs. I always start with a full neurological scan and never guess with care.
Q: Will this “cure” autism?
A: Chiropractic care doesn’t cure autism — but it can profoundly improve how your child’s nervous system regulates and responds to the world.
Q: How do I know if my child’s nervous system is stressed?
A: That’s exactly what our Insight scans show. They measure stress and imbalance in the nervous system and help guide the best plan for care.
Q: How often will my child need adjustments?
A: Each plan is customized. Frequency depends on the level of stress and how their nervous system responds over time — we track everything through progress scans.