Osteopaths are treating more and more children with specific learning and behavioural difficulties. Many of the osteopaths trained in cranial osteopathy are equipped to help in a variety of areas from dyspraxia (DCD) to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and other learning difficulties, sensory integration disorder (SID), autism, Aspergers syndrome and a variety of speech and language disorders.

There are a variety of causes for these difficulties, eg subtle problems in the development of the nervous system caused by difficulties in pregnancy, birth shock and trauma. Other factors include immune system problems, allergy and family history of similar problems. In many cases it is a combination of factors. These difficulties can disturb the subtle balance of motion in the nervous system and body as a whole.

Children with problems in these areas often have secondary problems, especially in posture and alignment of the body. Cranial osteopathy, with its gentle, fluid treatment, can improve structural alignment to improve posture, while at the same time improving the function of the nervous system and the body as a whole. These techniques can also assist immune function which can be compromised in some of these children.

It is important that children have regular checks to ensure they are meeting their developmental milestones, as any delay here may signal future learning difficulties, for which early treatment can be highly effective.  Whatever the diagnosis, the treatment is aimed at the child, not the syndrome.