Autism
Autism is being identified in a growing number of children. According to the CDC’s 2025 surveillance report, approximately 1 in 31 eight-year-old children in the United States were identified with autism spectrum disorder. While increased awareness, screening, and changes in identification practices contribute to these numbers, the statistics also highlight the importance of understanding each child’s unique developmental and functional needs.
Autism: Understanding the Whole Child
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that influences communication, sensory processing, social interaction, and how an individual experiences the world. Every autistic child has a unique combination of strengths, challenges, and developmental experiences.
At Connect My Brain, we believe a diagnosis is an important part of the picture, but it does not tell the whole developmental story.
The brain does not develop or function in isolation. Neurological development is closely connected with movement, sensory experiences, sleep, nutrition, gut health, immune function, and the body’s ability to regulate and recover. These systems interact throughout development and may influence a child’s daily functioning and well-being.
Some autistic children also experience gastrointestinal discomfort, sleep disturbances, immune-related conditions, sensory sensitivities, motor coordination difficulties, or challenges with emotional regulation. Understanding these co-occurring concerns can help identify opportunities for individualized support.
How Does Autism Impact the Brain?
Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive function. Children diagnosed Autistic typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.
The social brain network is made up of multiple regions throughout the brain that together support complex social interactions. Brain mapping has identified keys areas that are dysregulated. The brain receives disorganized information from the thalamus, the limbic system, visual, auditory, and somatosensory regions of the brain. These areas of the brain are impacted by your child’s unique developmental experience.
Our Whole-Child Approach
We begin by listening to the child’s developmental and health history. Our assessments may explore neurological function, sensory processing, retained primitive reflexes, balance, coordination, visual processing, attention, and nervous-system regulation.
Depending on individual findings, our recommendations may incorporate developmental movement, sensorimotor activities, neurofeedback or biofeedback, nutritional considerations, and strategies to support regulation and everyday function. These approaches are individualized, and evidence for their benefits varies; they are not presented as cures for autism.
Our goal is not to change who a child is. It is to better understand how their brain and body function together, identify areas where additional support may be beneficial, and help them develop skills that improve participation, independence, comfort, and quality of life.
Every child has a developmental story worth understanding.