From Constant Melt Downs to Finding Joy in Public Spaces

Story of Hope for Bentley

Challenge: Autism, Non-Verbal, Overstimulation, Tantrums,

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Bentley is an incredibly sweet boy that started care at Crossroads Chiropractic. He is non-verbal and autistic. His parents were very skeptical that chiropractic would be beneficial for him because preschool, occupational therapy, and speech had provided little progress. Bentley’s grandmother has seen personal health victories through chiropractic and was convinced that chiropractic care would be able to help improve her grandson’s quality of life.

Prior to coming into our office, Bentley had a severe sensitivity to loud noises. It would cause him to be so upset that he would cry and shake on a daily basis. He did not do well in public places, especially restaurants and stores. Even if it didn’t bring him to tears, you could still tell he was visibly upset and very uncomfortable. He would also be more sensitive to noises if he was in a small or confined space.

Bentley’s Initial assessment

When we asked Bentley’s grandmother to reflect on his first set of assessments. This is what she told us, “I felt this was a great visual representation of what Bentley is unable to tell us.”

Bentley’s Progress Assessment

Since starting care, Bentley has seen fantastic changes. His grandmother let us know that within the first week of care he seemed to be calmer and more relaxed. Over the course of the next few months, he has become more interested in his surroundings, more engaged, and better able to maintain eye contact.

One remarkable story that she shared with us is that Bentley used to be terrified of sirens. They would cause a complete emotional meltdown. However, between adjustments one day, he was at park located beside a fire station. The fire station got a call while Bentley was on the swings and the sirens started to go off. Instead of shaking and crying, Bentley looked around for the fire truck with excitement! This happened without him needing to wear any kind of ear protection. This reaction was a complete 180 from the reaction they had learned to expect.

Bentley is now also able to sit on a standard swing at the playground and does not need to be in one of the ADA swings at the park! He was also able to attend a fall fest at a farm that included a hay ride, games, lots of other kids, and music. Bentley was able to enjoy himself and had no meltdowns before, during, or after the event!

When Bentley first started care at Crossroads Chiropractic, he couldn’t handle being in an adjusting room or the kids play areas (a fear that many parents have when starting care). Our docs adjusted him while he was pacing back and forth across the front lobby. Now, Bentley is comfortable enough to lay on the soft seating in the kids play area for his adjustments. He has even laid on an adjusting table for a few seconds! Huge progress!

We are so excited for the changes Bentley has seen so far and cannot wait to see the progress he makes in the future!