This case study has the purpose of providing an aide memoire for myself and Jodie’s parents and to anyone interested in the support of children within the Autism spectrum. Jodie’s parents have given their permission for it to be publicised. The Craniosacral Model for treatment has been researched by Dr John Upledger in the USA very briefly; Craniosacral techniques are used to introduce expansion of the meninges (which lines the brain and extends through the spine) so that synchrony can be maintained with the growth of the brain and the body. Further information can be provided by contacting Jean Mc Donald.

    Jodie is a lively six year old girl who likes to play with her little sister and friends and occasionally to spar with her big brother. She has a quiet confidence and definite sense of herself She is attending the local school after her time at special school Saint Catherines at Barnacoille.

    Mum caught the Millenium bug while expecting Jodie, this occured during the second trimester, so the much awaited lively baby was welcomed into the world to join brother - and the family was now four. The first year of life was busy but uneventful except for a throat infection at one year.  Being an experienced Mum Anne Marie noted some tendancy towards being emotional, these seemed to be around changes in Jodie’s life. When new shoes were bought Jodie would want to wear the old ones. Jodie didn’t like being touched on her head, having her hair or teeth brushed. Her hearing was also very sensitive.

    Mum and Dad investigated these symptoms and in the second year of life Jodie was diagnosed as having mild to moderate Autism. During this year while at the playground Jodie had a fall which impacted on her head.

Summary of treatment;

Craniosacral rhythm palpation where high

Motion testing/treatment ;- Temporal bones for torsion, restriction of rotation, ear pull.

Palpation of the parietals, temporals and related sutures to encourage expansion of the meninges and related membranes.

Sacrum restriction ;  Lengthening of the dural tube via the sacrum

Medial compression of the iliac crests.

Palpation to release the diaphragms i.e respiratory and thoracic

Temporo-mandibularjoint (TMJ) – indirect work

Arms and legs

Organs i.e. mostly digestive system.

Stillpoints

Dialogue.

May 2005

Toileting problems had caused some upsets at school and that was one of the reasons I was asked to call and treat Jodie. On the first consultation Jodie`’s posture was tending towards a forward bend at times with some busy movements of the legs, which suggested the possibility of some dural tube restriction. The CranioSacral rhythm (CSR) was higher on the left side of the body. the respiratory diaphragm restricted and the left knee more tonic than the right.  She liked being upside down. This was beneficial  for her respiratory diaphragm and it helped me in gaining a supporting handle to her sacrum so that lengthening the dural tube in the spine was facilitated. Palpation of the respiratory diaphragm was followed by a release. [ Increase in lung function is beneficial for the delivery of oxygen to the brain].

Two Robot Toys were played with both of which continually “lost their heads”.

19th May ‘05

Jody was inquisitive and I spoke about her manubrium at the top of her sternum as I treated. Her picture as a baby was on the wall and I talked briefly about when she was little.

The Temporal bones and Parietals were palpated and also down through the cranium to Maxillae. While the maxillae are best accessed from inside the mouth, this is not possible as Jodie is too young to tolerate this. The conversation included when she was a baby and had a throat infection when medicine was needed to make her better. During this Jodie allowed some palpation work to be done on the temporal and parietal bones. Following that visit there was a period of screaming, with a retreat to her bedroom and going under the duvet.

2nd June ‘05

The next visit mainly related to Jodie’s left ear, Lumber 5-Sacrum 1, Jodie’s squamous suture and her left foot.

In the early visits Jodie was not inclined to chat, at the end when I was leaving Jodie would pick a flower for me. Gradually Jodie became more talkative and her speach more clear The strong sense of herself which Jodie has is clearly expressed in what she likes, her favourite colours, toys - characters and animals about which she has many stories. Increasingly Jodie was indicating the parts of the body on her toy characters which were “sore”. Playing with Question: Where?..Oh ..here?  Answer: NO Silly, not there , Here!

Question: Like this? ... Answer  Yes.

Jodie would laugh and let off steam. Gradually verbal communication increased. At times teeth grinding was prevalent, and some indirect approaches at mouth work tolerated.

8th Aug ‘05

Some treatments took place while Jodie was in Mum’s arms some involved the slide in the garden and some others while Jodie looked through her books. Following sessions where the dural tube was lengthened very often Jodie has a tendancy to want cuddles Mum.

3rd Nov ‘05

More CranioSacral work has made Jodie receptive in the main part to having her head palpated. Her diagnosis has been lifted. Growth implies that stretching the membranes to allow more normal accomodation of the nervous system is required. This is monitored by Jodie’s Mum Anne Marie, and myself.

16th Dec ‘05

Jodie’s sacrum and legs are treated, much upside down work aids her respiratory diaphragm also. Temporoparietal sutures are treated. Stomach side of respiratory diaphragm is holding some restriction.

11th Jan ‘06

Sacrum is drawn to ease the dural tube and ease pressure on urinary system. The fascia on Jodie’s left side is treated and releass along for T9 – T2. The left foot lateral to the ankle is treated and produced a release. The report from school and home is that things are going well.

21st March ‘06

Sacrum, right parietals, left side of the respiratory diaphragm ( the CSR is higher on the left side of the body) and thoracic inlet are treated. Anne Marie reports some emotional upsets after Craniosacral treatments, this is not easy for the household. Toileting has improved to the extent that Jodie is not wetting at school at present. There is some teeth grinding today. Overall Jodie is cheerful and interactive.

7th April ‘06

Jodie has been detoxing mercury, her liver was tender and liver meridian particularly to the left foot required attention.  Higher rhythm is observable on the right hemisphere of the brain at parietal  and also on the leftside of the frontal bone. Jodie appeared quite still through 30 minutes of treatment. Jodie’s body was relaxed and physical tone was good overall. Affectionate moves towards Mum are becoming a feature of the end of treatment.

10th June’06

Sacrum was drawn and medial compression at the iliac crests completed .Respiratory and thoracic diaphragms were palpated. Temporoparietal sutures are eased and an ear pull was sucessful. Today Jodie’s right thoracic is restricted as is her neck, her digestive system holds some discomfort. All diaphragms are palpated, and in addition under the chin towards hyoid.

17th June- the following week Anne Marie reported that Jodie is in much better form and school report she is at the level of her peers.

 Jodie is wetting in late afternoon at home but not at school or when away from home. Her appetite has decreased towards a more normal level. 

July ’06

Work on the sacrum to draw the dural tube is part of regular treatment to alleviate the craniosacral system and bring ease to the toileting situation. Respiratory and thoracic membranes are palpated, Jodie’s shoulders sometimes click. Bringing my finger along the occipital base I am aware of assymetry – left side of occipital is positioned inferior and right side superior. Parietal and temporal bones are palpated and an ear pull is sucessfull.

16th Oct ‘06

Autumn has brought a growth spurt for Jodie. Her whole system is tender. Temporoparietal sutures are treated with a V-spread through the parietals. The craniosacral rhythm is higher on the right of the cranium. Sensitivity to sound has been noted as Jodie is not prepared to do everything in school – especially music in the hall. Noticable exothermic reaction occurs following palpation of the left side of respiratory diaphragm. Good contact is achieved on temporoparietal sutures and release of sacral bone and medial compression of the iliac crests.

11thNov ‘06

Release of temporparietal suture (– the right side more significant than the left.) Sacrum released followed by medial decompression – significant. Shoulders are held a little high, some small exothemic reaction here and at liver. Behaviour – at present Anne Marie reports  it can be difficult when some destinations - at certain times - are off limits according to Jodie.

13th Dec ’06

Respiratory diaphragm is the most severe restriction today. The area is eased which will permit more oxygen to be delivered to the brain. Parietals, left shoulder, liver and left leg are treated.   Play involves characters who are imprisoned and will only be released if they promise to ‘behave’. Jodie pinches them between gates across their waist. She talks about ‘angry eyes’.

10th Jan ‘07

Anne Marie commented that the interval that suits between treatments is two weeks. It has been 4 due to Christmas. Jodie is very receptive to treatment Left shoulder and left arm are treated, Parietals, thoracic and respiratory diaphragms plus Sacrum are treated.

24th Jan ‘07

Jodie’s liver is tonic today, school report she is inattentive.Release of the right temporoparietal suture, ear pull followed by alot of inversion and work on sacrum and respiratory diaphragm work. Jodie seemed bright in herself.

13th Feb ‘07

Significant reaction at the respiratory diaphragm. Sacrum, temporoparietal sutures Ear pull and thoracic are treated.Inversion are part of treatment. Jodie is very playful, giggles and also she is very tolerant of baby sister who takes her toys and pulls her hair. Anne Marie and I discuss liver and the school report re being inattentive. Jodie is due a liver test. She doesn’t want to be at school assembly.  

7th March ‘07

Temporoparietal sutures both yield, left more than right. Respiratory diaphragm, right shoulder and left wrist are released. Jodie is in a still [ at a very deep level of relaxation] for most of the treatment, she is in good form.

20th March ‘07

Jodie spoke of being a ‘Tomboy’ – she likes cars. Temporoparietal sutures released, ears, left knee, liver and heart meridians are treated. At the end of the treatment Jodie asked to be carried to Ann Marie who also had a ‘Thelma bundle’ on the couch.

14th April ‘07

Today in Jodie’s bedroom two figures ‘Woody’and Green M –  toy characters are acting out Green M was beating the hell out of everyone because she is angry, in a ‘bad mood’ – THEY think she hasn’t a brain. Woody has been tied up, hung up etc. Respiratory diaphragm is very restricted also liver and sacrum.Treated these, temporoparietal sutures and right shoulder.

31st April ‘07

Somewhat emotional - Jodie has watery eyes today, and lots of giggles. Jodie is not happy at school these days and leaves the classroom when the teacher speaks to her. Alot of palpation accepted at temporoparietal sutures. Respiratory diaphragm tonic. Heart meridian and right foot are in need of attention. Stomach and liver are eased.

16th May ‘07

Today Jodie’s liver is in an improved condition. She is taking a homeopathic remedy for vacines.There was a good deal of eye contact and Jodie talked about sister Thelma who keeps lifting the cat – Mermaid. Mermaid doesn’t like being lifted and even though Thelma is reminded of this she keeps doing it.  The idea that Thelma ‘doesn’t get it yet’ about the cat is aired. Significant releases at both temporoparietal sutures and respiratory diaphragm.

11th June ‘07

Jodie is on a homeopathic remedy for polio. Her gut is tender, work is done on respiratory diaphragm and temporoparietal sutures. Eye contact is good. There is planting going on in the garden talk of plants and slugs I am asked do I like touching slugs!. A penguin is made and I am presented with one Jodie made earlier.

6th July ‘07

A long session today 1.25 hours. Sacrum, Respiratory Diaphragm, left temporoparietal suture in particular all presented- there is tenderness overall. Jodie is chatty about food today, junk food and spinach she has alot to say about energy and how we get it. Jodie is still on the Polio remedy. 6th July ’07.

23rd July ‘07

A large heart release today. Jodie is delighted about winning her bronze medal for racing. There was a good result from the ear pull also. Eye contact is increased. Jodie has finished her polio remedy. Respiratory diaphragm and sacrum were treated.

9th Aug ‘07

Direction of energy technique is used today through the parietals. Work is done on the thoracic inlet. Liver is tonic. Respiratory diaphragm is treated along with left leg the craniosacral rhythm is consistently higher on the left,and both knees. Jodie is chatty, playing with magnets she displays good visual skills in selecting and contructing har shapes. Woody - Jodies character ‘is afraid to speak'.

4th Sept ‘07

I find Jodie quiet in herself she is absorbed in a lizzerd called Rigo-co. The figure is stretched and tied up. Jodie’s crown is stinging. Liver seems enlarged. Sacrum is drawn caudad. Thoracic is compressed and decompressed. The left arm is eased. Rotation of the ears and ear pull are done.

17th Sept ’07.

Jodies head is good today. Jodies right shoulder released and her liver was treated. Left temporoparietal suture has a slight dysfunction.  An ear pull is sucessfull. Jodie withstood music at school last week.

Anne Marie is bringing Jodie for speech therapy soon.

4th Oct ’07

Cranial base on the left side holds dysfunction, ear pull yields to the left. Liver and thoracic are treated.temporomandibularjoint released on right side somewhat. Toileting is a problem.

15th Nov. ‘07

Liver not as tonic as last day, energy cysts are treated on left at shoulder and kidney. Respiratory diaphragm is tonic. Jodie is affectionate to Mum and Thelma, she seems more calm. Cranial base is lightly treated and parietals. Heart meridian in the feet are also treated. We spoke about music and Jodie is adamant she’s not allowed to play the recorder, piano or guitar!

28th Nov ’07

Jodie is chatty today and makes alot of eye contact, respiratory diaphragm,cranial base and sacrum are treated.

11th Dec ’07

Stillpoints and intermittant significant releases most at the respiratory diaphragm,and also at the left knee. The temporoparietal sutures and ear pull are sucessfully treated.

9th Jan ’08

Today the respiratory diaphragm is tonic towards the stomach. Temporoparietal sutures are treated and the left shoulder holds an energy cyst (an area holding tension).

There has been an issue around getting hair cut recently.

22nd Jan ’08

Temporoparietal sutures release well, respiratory diaphragm is treated at solar plexus. Feelings are up and Jodie was angry for along time on Sunday. Jodie about Thelma and also about hair.

21st Feb ’08

Temporoparietal sutures release well, respiratory diaphragm eases out particualrly on the left side. Thoracic eases on the left – the right shoulder is clicking. Sacrum is used to draw the dural tube. Heart meridian is treated at the fingers and insteps. Anne Marie is finding that the gameboy is a problem.

11th Mar ’08.

There was great excitement between Jodie and Thelma over toy characters.

Thema said she would give the item in question if Jodie counted, she did so with great energy- to onehundred and seventeen. Exothermic reactions both sides of thoracic in particular- right clavicle. Sacrum was drawn and medial compression-decompression completed. A slight amount of treatment to partietals and ear pull only ocurred today.

Jean Mc Donald BA Mod IYA dip  Registered member of The Irish Association of Craniosacral Therapists The Teaching Council and The Irish Yoga Association.

Jean McDonald
Tel: (01) 2722317