The Vestibular System and Autism: How to Restore Confidence in Space

Disruptions in the functioning of the vestibular system in autism often manifest in various ways. Some signs appear in infancy, while others are noticeable later. However, they all share the same underlying cause.
The main symptoms of vestibular system dysfunction include the following:

• Fear of heights
• Difficulty walking on stairs and escalators or reluctance to use them
• Resistance when attempting to flip the child
• Ignoring high playground equipment, such as bars
• Anxiety when transitioning from standing to lying down (e.g., during a diaper change)
• Motion sickness in a car or other transport
• Slow and cautious movements, avoiding age-appropriate risks
• Difficulty with jumping, especially jumping with both feet off the ground or from elevated surfaces
• Problems maintaining balance while walking on uneven or narrow surfaces (e.g., curbs or logs)
• Negative reactions when tilting the child’s head backward during bathing
• Reluctance to use swings or ride moving toys (e.g., rocking horses or even toy cars)
• Crying and tantrums when being picked up

Even if a child only shows a few of these behaviors, they could indicate that their vestibular system is not functioning properly. The vestibular system’s role is to determine the position and movement of the head in space, helping to coordinate eye movements, posture, and balance. In autistic individuals, it can be overly active or almost non-functional, which either results in constant movement or sensory overload, leading to a refusal to engage in activities requiring rapid movement.

Children with sensory processing issues often show specific behavior characterized by irrational fear of motor sensations (changes in head position, having both feet off the ground, or activities requiring balance). It has long been established that the vestibular system is located in the inner ear, but the causes or neurological mechanisms leading to its dysfunction, which hinder spatial orientation, are still not fully understood. The fear of movement might be linked to how the limbic system in the brain perceives it, or it may involve slow information processing speeds.

Discomfort with even basic movements like bending over, stepping over objects, jumping, or climbing stairs, which present no issues for typically developing children, can significantly disrupt the daily life of those with autism. These challenges also contribute to fear of air travel and the stress associated with more frequent situations.

Excessive worry can be avoided by normalizing the vestibular system’s functioning. Traditionally, occupational therapy has been used for this purpose in autism, but it takes time and does not always lead to positive results. A faster and more reliable approach involves cellular therapy—an innovative method that corrects autism as a whole, not just its symptoms. This involves transplanting the patient’s own stem cells, which are abundantly present in umbilical cord blood or bone marrow and do not trigger immune system reactions. After the procedure, the stem cells transform into healthy counterparts of damaged cells, allowing the brain to function correctly. As a result, behavior stabilizes, and other autism symptoms either disappear or become significantly less pronounced, improving the effectiveness of various support therapies that help reinforce acquired skills.

This effective and safe method for treating autism spectrum disorders is practiced in leading clinics worldwide, where highly skilled doctors and state-of-the-art equipment are available. One such advanced medical institution is the Mardaleishvili Medical Center, offering affordable services and assistance with various organizational matters, including travel and accommodation planning.

Submit an application for cellular therapy—and autism will be a thing of the past!