Severe forms of autism, like Kanner’s Syndrome, were once rare. However, the CDC now reports that one in 36 children in the U.S. have autism, signaling a concerning trend behind the statistics. For affected kids and caregivers, daily life unfolds with unique challenges.
Fortunately, new medical insights and innovative functional medicine, such as Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, offer renewed hope.
By illuminating the roots of Kanner’s Syndrome and offering drug-free solutions to rebalance nervous system dysregulation, children and families can begin to reclaim their lives and reach their potential.
In this article, we’ll explore Kanner’s Syndrome, the complex interactions and external stressors that influence it, and how noninvasive care solutions can improve neurological balance.
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have difficulties with social interactions, speech, behavior, and processing sensory information. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and affect people differently over their lifetime.
In severe cases, intellectual disability can result, and while genetic risks exist, environmental triggers also influence the surging incidence.
What Is Kanner’s Syndrome?
Kanner’s syndrome, also known as classic autism, is a subtype of autism spectrum disorder. People with Kanner’s have difficulty with language and communication skills, narrow interests and activities they rigidly adhere to, challenges adapting to changes, unusual or intense responses to sound, light, taste, or textures, and other symptoms that emerge in early childhood.
First characterized in 1943 by pioneer Dr. Leo Kanner, Kanner’s Syndrome represents the most severe autism classification, involving:
- Minimal speech and communication abilities
- Extreme sensory hyper/hypo-reactivity
- Restricted interests and rigid adherence to routine
- Self-injury for sensory regulation in many cases
- Frequent intellectual disability
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
Another rare autism-related condition is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD). Children with CDD typically demonstrate age-appropriate development for at least 2 years before undergoing a period of rapid loss and deterioration in core skills between ages 3-4.
Areas of drastic decline in CDD involve motor abilities, bowel and bladder control, interactive play, language, and social skills. Additional emotional and behavioral challenges emerge concurrently. Epileptic seizures frequently accompany the disorder as well. Population studies estimate CDD prevalence between 1.1 and 9.2 per 100,000 children.
While it is unclear what causes CDD, extensive neurotransmitter and MRI imaging research indicates that significant nervous system abnormalities involving the cortex, limbic system, and cerebellum align with the timeline of functional deterioration.
Intense therapies can help children with CDD regain particular cognitive and self-care abilities. However, more work is urgently needed to understand CDD’s origins and course.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
Beyond Kanner’s Syndrome, another autism classification parents may encounter is Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
Whereas Kanner’s Syndrome signifies more severe symptoms, PDD-NOS defines a milder subset of challenges that still fit under the autism umbrella.
Core symptoms of PDD-NOS include:
- Delayed developmental milestones and skill acquisition
- Limited or emerging verbal and nonverbal communication abilities
- Challenges connecting socially with others
- Restrictive behaviors, interests, or difficulty with transitions
- Sensory processing differences
However, symptoms typically manifest less intensely compared to classical autism, with more variation in skill levels across different domains of functioning.
While not a formal DSM-5 diagnosis anymore, many providers and families still reference PDD-NOS as a meaningful way to understand where a child falls on the spectrum, clarifying strengths as well as needs.
As with Kanner’s Syndrome, children with PDD-NOS can benefit from specialized neurological care that helps with their nervous system coordination, subluxation, and sensory, motor, and vagus nerve connectivity. This kind of care can help them thrive and use their unique gifts.
“The Perfect Storm” of Factors Behind Kanner’s Syndrome
Mainstream medicine has historically emphasized genetic factors alone to explain severe autism. However, the exponential growth in cases indicates additional environmental stressors disrupt vulnerable neurophysiology and trigger a cascade of symptoms.
This “Perfect Storm” analogy recognizes the succession of prenatal, postnatal, and cumulative stressors that dysregulate a child’s developing nervous system early if not addressed, setting the stage for sensory, speech, and behavioral challenges emerging over time.
The Nervous System Origins
Emerging research confirms severe autism fundamentally originates from overwhelmed, dysfunctional core nervous system processes rather than isolated environmental exposures or genetic risks alone.
This chronic imbalance, called dysautonomia, gradually locks the nervous system into continual “fight or flight” overdrive. This leads to disrupted sensory signaling, emotional processing, neuron connectivity, and compounding problems.
Eventually, symptoms like restricted behaviors, speech absence, and rigidity manifest as the central nervous system begins to disorganize. This causes children to lose their resilience in meeting everyday demands, causing exponential deterioration.
The overwhelmed state also permits the buildup of neurological interference called subluxation which disrupts critical communication pathways fundamental for health.
Life With Kanner’s Syndrome
Families who live with Kanner’s Syndrome face unique daily challenges, including communication barriers and incessant sensory needs. Healthcare considerations that require vast accommodations at home and school are also top-of-mind.
Parents invest endless effort in helping children master basic skills like self-care amid sensory discomfort. Rigidity means minor disruptions commonly trigger meltdowns. While customized equipment enhances mobility and various therapies help build skills, the 24/7 needs of children with Kanner’s Syndrome exhaust families. It’s in these cases that compassionate medical guidance is needed most.
However, families and children with Kanner’s Syndrome can lead full, meaningful lives by adjusting expectations, celebrating small gains, and embracing the joy in every moment.
Caring For Children With Kanner’s Syndrome
The conventional approach to managing Kanner’s Syndrome utilizes medication for symptoms like anxiety or hyperactivity, behavioral therapies to teach coping skills, and communication aids. While helpful in making daily life feasible, these interventions fail to address the core neurological dysfunction.
For families seeking more effective options, Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care nurtures nervous system regulation while addressing the root cause.
PX Docs uses precision testing insights (like INSiGHT Scans measuring abnormal nerve stress) to develop effective, personalized care plans. Then, we deploy customized neurological, sensory, movement, and nutrition adjustments to address neurological dysregulation, poor vagus nerve tone modulation, sensory integration overload, and subluxation interference, which causes interference among critical communication pathways.
To learn more about how Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care addresses nervous system dysregulation and subluxation interference patterns, visit our Clinical Process page.
Ultimately, this psychiatric-based approach allows families to transform the narrative around severe autism from powerlessness towards partnership, envisioning their child’s abilities waiting to unfold, not limitations defining existence.
Finding Answers and Hope
Families with autism, and especially those with children diagnosed with Kanner’s Syndrome, know that pursuing endless therapies often causes feelings of hopelessness and discouragement. Yet possibilities exist.
Beyond conventional treatments, Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care offers clarity and solutions by addressing the origins of preventable nervous system dysregulation.
By combining advanced testing with customized drug-free care plans led by a qualified PX Doctor who considers the brain-body connection, families can become stronger and more resilient. To get started, visit the PX Docs Directory to find a Neurologically Focused chiropractor near you.
