with a long standing history of ear infec- tions, which is also very common in children with Autism. If this structural dysfunction was present in the child, the AIT would be limited in its effectiveness. However, if the child went through a series of IMT sessions to correct the inner ear compression first, and thereby increase the child’s potential for improved sensory function of the ear and temporal lobe (auditory processing lobe of the brain), then the AIT would be much more effective in ‘functionally’ decreasing the sensory problems.


IMT for Aggressive Behaviors


Let’s use another example: aggressive or self-injurious behavior. Not every child with Autism has aggressive behaviors but often it is present and severe. Aggressive behaviors result from dysfunction of the limbic system. The limbic system is the core part of our brain—the part of our brain that we share with animals—the reptilian brain. When the limbic system is in a state of dysfunction, it contributes to a large range of behaviors, in- cluding aggression, rage response, obsessive compulsive behaviors such as perseverative speech and insistence on routine and same- ness. Consider an adult that has suffered a traumatic brain injury and they regress in behavior and develop severe aggression. This is secondary to trauma to the limbic system. When the limbic system dysfunction is cor- rected, the aggressive behaviors dissipate. For decades, behavioral therapies have been used on children and adults with aggressive behaviors but to minimal success—because the dysfunction of the limbic system is not a functional problem. It is a structural problem—a structural dysfunction of the brain. Integrative Manual Therapy has been used successfully to correct limbic system dysfunction and reduce and correct aggres- sive behaviors in children and adults for many years.


Consider a lion that has been wound- ed—their rage response is incredibly height-


ened at this time. Rage is different from anger. When we are angry about something, there is rational thought involved. We are cognizant of consequences to our actions. Behavioral therapies (functional therapies) can be very successful when dealing with anger management. But when we are expe- riencing rage, we become reactionary. This means that we react without thinking. In times of rage, it is more challenging to think before we speak or act. Rage is the cause of many relationship problems. When a child is rageful, their actions, their aggressive behaviors, are not thought out. It is not as if they are saying to themselves that they are going to hit someone or bite someone. These behaviors are not under their control. In this situation, it does not help to yell at the child or try to reason with the child. These rage behaviors are about the limbic system. When the limbic system is in a state of ‘hyper-fa- cilitation’, rage response is elicited. IMT can be used to ‘defacilitate’ and reduce tension at the limbic system, thereby reducing and eliminating aggressive behaviors overall.


IMT and Nutritional Wellness In addition to the behaviors that are


so common to Autism, children that are on the spectrum typically suffer from many digestive issues as well as food allergies. Many children with autism have eczema and other types of skin related issues. IMT can also be used to help restore immunity in the body and decrease inflammation in the gut. A typical IMT treatment program would include manual therapy techniques for the digestive tract in combination with a nutritional program that includes dietary in- tervention and nutritional supplementation. The nutritional supplementation and dietary intervention is helpful to accelerate recovery. For example, a Gluten-Free Diet is one of the more common dietary recommenda- tions given to a child with Autism. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, and oat. Gluten is pro-inflammatory. This means that when


24 Natural Nutmeg


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