Neuroinflammation in Kids: A Hidden Factor in Autism, Seizures, and Developmental Delays
If you're a parent searching for answers about how to help your child with ASD or seizures, or why your child struggles with behavior, focus, or development—you’re not alone. More families than ever are seeking out pediatric specialists to uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.
One of the most important (but overlooked) pieces of the puzzle is something called neuroinflammation—a hidden force that may be driving many of the challenges faced by kids with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), sensory processing issues, ADHD, and more.
Let’s break down what neuroinflammation is, why it matters, and how our San Diego pediatric chiropractic practice uses low-level laser therapy and neurologically-focused chiropractic care to help.
What Is Neuroinflammation?
Neuroinflammation damages healthy brain cells, disrupts the way neurons communicate and interferes with proper brain development and function.
You’ve probably heard of inflammation—like when an injury causes swelling, redness, or pain. It’s your immune system’s way of protecting the body.
Now imagine that kind of immune response happening inside your child’s brain or nervous system. That’s neuroinflammation.
The brain has its own immune system, made up of cells like microglia and astrocytes. These act like security guards—always monitoring for danger and cleaning up damage. When activated (due to infection, injury, or even emotional stress), these cells release inflammatory molecules like cytokines.
In short bursts, this is helpful.
But when neuroinflammation becomes chronic, it can:
Disrupt how brain cells communicate
Interfere with healthy brain development
Lead to long-term changes in behavior and cognition
This is particularly relevant in children with ASD, seizures, developmental delays, and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Autism, Seizures, and the Role of Inflammation
Current research links chronic brain inflammation with:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in kids
Seizures and epilepsy in children
ADHD and sensory processing challenges
Learning difficulties and emotional dysregulation
In fact, several studies have shown that children with ASD often exhibit signs of ongoing neuroinflammation in key areas of the brain responsible for communication, emotional regulation, and social interaction.
In the case of seizures in kids, inflammation has been shown to increase excitability in the brain’s neurons—making seizures more likely and more severe. Left unchecked, this creates a cycle of inflammation → seizure → more inflammation.
What Neuroinflammation Looks Like at Different Ages
Neuroinflammation can affect children differently depending on their age and stage of brain development. Recognizing these signs early can help parents seek the right support.
In Infants and Toddlers
Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
Extreme irritability or inconsolable crying
Developmental delays (not rolling, crawling, or walking on time)
Low muscle tone or "floppy" limbs
Feeding challenges or poor latch
Unusual head shape or slow head growth
In Preschoolers
Language delays or regression
Poor eye contact
Difficulty with transitions or changes in routine
Sensory sensitivities
Frequent meltdowns or emotional outbursts
Seizure onset or unusual motor movements
In School-Age Children
Struggles with focus, learning, or memory
Anxiety or mood swings
Social difficulties
Digestive complaints (constipation, food sensitivities)
Trouble with coordination or motor planning
Early or chronic stress will cause an inflammatory response in the brain that can cause other health problems in kids due to neuroinflammation.
How Chronic Stress Makes Things Worse
You might think of stress as “just emotions,” but it’s much more than that—especially in developing children.
Chronic or early life stress can:
Keep the brain’s immune cells on high alert (a state called “priming”)
Lower the brain’s ability to regulate itself
Recruit more immune cells from outside the brain (like from the gut or bone marrow)
Make future stressors—even small ones—trigger exaggerated immune responses
This makes your child’s brain more vulnerable to future injuries or infections, and more likely to stay in a cycle of chronic neuroinflammation.
It’s no wonder that parents of children with ASD in kids or seizure disorders often report that regressions, flare-ups, or new symptoms follow periods of emotional, physical, or environmental stress.
The Mitochondria Connection
If you’ve read our post on Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Children, you already know that mitochondria are the body’s energy producers.
When mitochondria don’t function well:
Brain cells run low on energy
Oxidative stress increases
Neuroinflammation becomes harder to shut off
This creates the perfect storm for children with autism, epilepsy, and other neurologically complex conditions.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): A Breakthrough for Brain Inflammation
Low-level Laser Therapy reduces neuroinflammation found in many neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, seizures and neurodevelopment disorders.
Low-Level Laser Therapy, also called photobiomodulation, is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to target inflammation at the cellular level.
As pediatric chiropractors in San Diego, we use Erchonia Class II lasers that are safe, painless, and effective for kids—even babies.
LLLT works by:
Stimulating mitochondria to produce more ATP (cellular energy)
Reducing harmful cytokines like IL-1β and IL-6
Shifting microglia into a repair mode, reducing chronic activation
Improving overall brain energy metabolism
Helping regulate seizure activity by calming overexcited neurons
Research has shown that LLLT may reduce the severity and frequency of seizures in children while improving cognitive and behavioral outcomes in those with autism spectrum disorder.
How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care and LLLT Work Together to Reduce Neuroinflammation
Pediatric chiropractic care reduces nervous system stress, allowing your child’s body to heal and thrive.
At Sprout Family Chiropractic, we take an integrative approach to helping children with autism, seizures, and developmental challenges. Two of our most effective tools—neurologically focused chiropractic care and low-level laser therapy (LLLT)—work hand in hand to calm the nervous system and reduce brain inflammation.
Here’s how this powerful combination works:
Chiropractic Care Regulates the Stress Response
Chronic stress is a major driver of neuroinflammation in kids. When the nervous system is stuck in a fight-or-flight state, the body:
Suppresses healing and digestion
Keeps immune cells in a chronically activated state
Loses the ability to turn off inflammatory signals
Gentle chiropractic adjustments help restore balance in the autonomic nervous system, allowing the body to move into a healing state and reduce inflammatory triggers at their source.
Vagus Nerve Activation: Dual Support from Adjustments + LLLT
The vagus nerve is the body's master anti-inflammatory regulator—and it’s often underactive in children with ASD, seizures, or sensory dysregulation.
Chiropractic adjustments (especially in the upper neck region) help stimulate vagal tone through mechanical input to the brainstem.
LLLT complements this by stimulating mitochondria in the vagus nerve pathway, improving cellular energy and further calming inflammatory activity.
Together, these therapies help improve vagus function—resulting in better digestion, calmer behavior, improved sleep, and decreased inflammation.
Better Sleep, Sensory Regulation, and Brain Function
Children with chronic inflammation often struggle with:
Poor quality sleep (which impairs brain detox and repair)
Sensory overwhelm (which keeps the nervous system in constant alert)
Mood, focus, and behavior regulation
Chiropractic care helps reset the nervous system, improve brain-body communication, and calm overactive responses.
LLLT works at the cellular level to:
Decrease inflammatory signaling
Boost ATP production
Support healing in inflamed brain regions
This creates a feedback loop of regulation, where the nervous system becomes more resilient and less reactive over time.
Why We Combine Both at Sprout Family Chiropractic
On their own, each of these therapies is powerful. But together, they:
Address both the structural and cellular drivers of neuroinflammation
Support both top-down (brain to body) and bottom-up (body to brain) communication
Create a more complete, individualized plan for long-term nervous system healing
This is why we often recommend both LLLT and chiropractic care as part of your child’s custom care plan—because the nervous system doesn’t heal in isolation.
What You Can Do at Home to Decrease Neuroinflammation
While professional care is a key part of calming neuroinflammation, there’s also a lot you can do at home to support your child’s brain health naturally.
1. Prioritize Sleep
Deep sleep is when the brain detoxifies, heals, and clears inflammation. Create a consistent bedtime routine, reduce screen time before bed, and use blackout curtains or white noise if needed.
2. Nourish the Brain
Focus on anti-inflammatory foods:
Omega-3 rich sources like wild salmon, flax, or chia
Leafy greens, berries, and colorful vegetables
Reduce processed sugars and artificial dyes
Work with a holistic pediatric provider if your child is on a restricted diet.
3. Support the Gut
A healthy gut helps regulate inflammation in the brain. Incorporate:
Probiotic-rich foods (like sauerkraut or yogurt)
Prebiotic fiber (bananas, oats, apples)
Adequate hydration and regular bowel movements (constipation is often a red flag for inflammation and nervous system dysregulation)
4. Create Calm Through Connection
Frequent stress increases neuroinflammation. Build in small daily moments of connection—cuddles, nature walks, or reading together. Simple, predictable routines help regulate the nervous system.
5. Movement is Medicine
Gentle, regular movement like play, swinging, climbing, or bouncing on a therapy ball supports lymphatic flow, vagus nerve function, and reduces inflammatory signals in the brain.
6. Reduce Environmental Stressors
Choose non-toxic cleaning and body products
Limit EMF exposure by turning off Wi-Fi at night
Minimize exposure to artificial fragrances and pesticides
These small, consistent steps can help create an internal environment where your child’s brain has the best chance to heal and thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ #1: What is neuroinflammation, and how does it affect my child?
Neuroinflammation is inflammation within the brain and spinal cord. In children, chronic neuroinflammation can interfere with brain development, communication between neurons, and is associated with conditions like autism and seizures.
FAQ #2: Is neuroinflammation linked to autism in kids?
Yes. Studies show that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit chronic neuroinflammation, particularly in areas of the brain responsible for communication, social behavior, and sensory processing.
FAQ #3: Can neuroinflammation cause seizures in kids?
Absolutely. Inflammation increases excitability in the brain, making seizures more likely and more intense. Chronic inflammation has been linked to ongoing seizure disorders in children.
FAQ #4: What is low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and is it safe for children?
LLLT is a painless, non-invasive light therapy that helps reduce inflammation and support mitochondrial function. We use FDA-cleared lasers that do not produce heat and are safe even for infants.
FAQ #5: How does LLLT help with autism and seizures?
LLLT reduces brain inflammation, supports healthy energy production in neurons, and helps rebalance immune responses—making it helpful for children with ASD and epilepsy.
FAQ #6: What is neurologically-focused chiropractic care?
It’s a gentle, brain-based approach to adjusting the spine and nervous system. For children with developmental delays, sensory issues, autism, or seizures, this care helps regulate stress responses and improve nervous system communication.
FAQ #7: What makes Sprout Family Chiropractic different?
We specialize in neurologically-based care for kids. As trusted pediatric chiropractors in San Diego, we combine advanced technologies like low-level laser therapy with chiropractic care to support children facing complex neurological challenges.
FAQ #8: How do I know if my child is a good candidate for care?
If your child is facing developmental delays, autism, seizures, or sensory issues—and you’re looking for a natural, research-backed approach—we’d love to meet with you. Our team will create a personalized plan based on your child’s unique needs.
From Inflammation to Healing
Neuroinflammation may be invisible—but its effects are real. And while the science can feel complex, the takeaway is simple:
When we support the brain, reduce stress, calm inflammation, and improve energy production, kids can unlock their full potential.
If your child is facing challenges related to autism, seizures, or neurodevelopmental delays, there is hope and we are here to support you and your family.
Sources:
Villasana-Salazar B, Vezzani A. Neuroinflammation microenvironment sharpens seizure circuit. Neurobiol Dis. 2023 Mar;178:106027. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106027. Epub 2023 Feb 2. PMID: 36736598.
Sanz P, Rubio T, Garcia-Gimeno MA. Neuroinflammation and Epilepsy: From Pathophysiology to Therapies Based on Repurposing Drugs. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Apr 9;25(8):4161. doi: 10.3390/ijms25084161. PMID: 38673747; PMCID: PMC11049926.
DiSabato DJ, Quan N, Godbout JP. Neuroinflammation: the devil is in the details. J Neurochem. 2016 Oct;139 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):136-153. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13607. Epub 2016 May 4. PMID: 26990767; PMCID: PMC5025335.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized guidance.