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Chiropractor's Work With Autistic Children Draws Attention

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: November 29, 2008

PALM HARBOR - Shawna Needham is willing to travel all the way from Ruskin to Palm Harbor twice a week to have her 4-year-old son, Ryken, cared for by a local chiropractor who uses an alternative approach to treating autism and its related ailments.

Needham said Ryken acted like any other precocious little boy until he turned 2 and received a required series of immunizations. He suddenly began to act-out impulsively, lost the ability to speak and control bodily functions.

Ryken was diagnosed with pervasive development disorder. PDD is a class of behavioral disorders that includes autism and Asperger syndrome. Children with PDD usually have trouble developing language skills and handling interactions with other people.

Traditional doctors merely wanted to put Ryken on drugs to stop him from acting out, but offered little else in the way of hope, Needham said.

A discovery

That's when Needham came across a book by actress Jenny McCarthy. In "Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism," McCarthy told about her autistic child and the hope that alternative medicine provided.

She read that some people believe vaccines traditionally given to infants and children might cause development problems. Mainstream science, however, says there is no evidence of any cause-and-effect link between vaccines or preservatives used in them and autism and related disorders.

In McCarthy's book, Needham also read of Palm Harbor-area chiropractor Lisa Marsh, a practitioner who treats autistic children at her Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care Center, on Florida Avenue. She now is an avid supporter of alternative medicine and "Dr. Lisa."

Marsh was treating autistic children before McCarthy noted her work in the book, she said. Since the mention, however, patients from all over the Suncoast have asked for her help in treating their children.

Marsh proudly shows a photograph taken with McCarthy.

Hugs and kisses

Since Marsh began treating him, Ryken is speaking words again and is able to pay more attention to his surroundings, according to his mom. He is able to hug and give kisses again, whereas before he would just fidget, she said.

He is even able to potty train again.

Oxygen therapy in a hyperbaric chamber, biocranial adjustments and treatment with a cold laser has helped Ryken, Needham said.

Marsh said some people believe autism is caused by a spinal trauma at birth, such as the umbilical chord wrapping around the neck, which cuts off the air supply to the brain.

There are no signs at first, and then children complain about earaches and are given antibiotics that cause an imbalance in the acidity levels and the growth of bacteria or yeast in the body.

Urges caution

McCarthy also believes chemicals, such as heavy metal elements in the many inoculations given youngsters, can build up and effect how the brain matures. The actress said parents should pick and choose which inoculations their children receive.

Marsh's therapy is designed to remove heavy metals and chemical toxins from the body and readjust the spine, which allows the brain and body to heal. Patients report seeing good results for their children, she said.

Removing toxins and adjusting the spine has helped many of her patients who suffer from a variety of aliments, Marsh said. In a detoxifying footbath, patients can see the water changing colors as toxins leach from the body.

She has not tried the treatment on adult autistic patients but would be happy to be one of the first, Marsh said.

Meanwhile, she plans to meet with McCarthy when the actress and best-selling author is in town next month.

She said anyone with questions about alternative therapy for a variety of illnesses can call her office at 727-772-1966, Marsh said.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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