• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Your Autism Game Plan

Get information. Gain confidence. See Progress.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Joya
    • Credentials
  • Videos
  • Course Login
  • Course Info

The Vagus Nerve’s Role in Autism

January 3, 2022 by Joya Van Der Laan

What is the vagus nerve and how does it relate to autism?

Our bodies have two branches of the autonomic nervous system that work in conjunction with one another:

  1. Sympathetic Nervous System: Prepares the body for fight or flight.

  2. Parasympathetic Nervous System: Returns the body to a calm state (“rest and digest”).

The vagus nerve is the main activator of the parasympathetic nervous system. Properly stimulating and toning the vagus nerve can calm our children. 

The Vagus Nerve Can Fight Stress

Vagus nerve is in control of a lot of things. It runs from the brain down to our abdomen and sends messages to all different parts of our body along the way including our lungs, heart, and GI tract. It receives messages from these parts and systems as well. 

The vagus nerve has the power to calm all of these systems in our children’s bodies. If other parts of their bodies are calm you’ll see a calmer more regulated child. 

Stimulating the vagus nerve can be really useful for a number of medical conditions including seizures. But it can also help improve common troublesome autistic characteristics such as:

  • Bowel and bladder problems
  • Meltdowns
  • Agitation and anxiety
  • Speech
  • Facial expressions
  • Aggressive behaviors
  • Mood
  • Poor disposition
  • Poor sleep
  • Poor digestion

So how can you stimulate your child’s vagus nerve and see these positive results? My next video will provide you with exercises you can do at home to help tone and improve the function of your child’s vagus nerve.

Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing a great job. 

I hope this information has been helpful to you as part of creating Your Autism Game Plan.

Do you have a topic you’d like to learn more about? Email me at joya@yourautismgameplan.com

Tell Me More!


All my videos offer unbiased, actionable advice for your most common autism challenges.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Primary Sidebar

Help your child get to sleep and stay asleep!

New subscribers receive Joya’s exclusive video: Six Strategies for Helping Autistic Children Get to Sleep and Stay Asleep.
* = required field

Meet Joya

I’m a parent of a daughter with autism, and I’m skilled in both conventional and integrative medicine. I want to empower you with information and confidence as you develop Your Autism Game Plan. Read More…

Recent Posts

  • How Can L-Carnitine Help Your Autistic Child?
  • Where Should You Buy Supplements for Your Autistic Child?
  • How to Reduce Inflammation in Autistic Children
  • Gut Inflammation and Autism
  • How Brain Inflammation Affects Children with Autism

Footer

Helpful Links:

Privacy Policy

Terms & Disclaimer

Videos

Contact

Your Autism Game Plan Course:

Account / Course Login

Course Info Page

Copyright © 2023 · Your Autism Game Plan · Log in