ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- Aidan Fitzgerald, 5, has autism. He started chiropractic treatment in the summer and now visits twice a week.

"It makes him feel better, so he looks forward to coming here ‘cause he knows that he's going to feel better afterwards," said Aidan's mother, Kari Fitzgerald.

Cicero-based chiropractor Dr. Joe Borio says chiropractic treatment helps balance out the nervous system and ignite the brain in autistic children.

"When you adjust the spine, you actually stimulate certain parts of the brain and actually turn some of those switches on," said Dr. Borio.

Aidan's mother says the effects for him are immediate. She says it calms self stimulatory behaviors, like hand flapping, and increases eye contact and motor skills.

"It's a definite difference in how his behavior is. He is able to pay attention better. He's able to focus better," said Fitzgerald.

Dr. Borio says the chiropractic adjustments are a part of a broader program, which includes diet and other remedies.

"We certainly eliminate wheat and eliminate dairy in all autistic children," Dr. Borio said.

Dr. Borio says he also uses volcanic ash, approved by both the FDA and CDC, to detox children, since some believe autism could be related to a toxicity of metals.

"That's introduced in a powder form. Kids take about a half a teaspoon a day and they incorporate that into their diet. And what that does is it eliminates a lot of the heavy metals within the body," said Dr. Borio.

Dr. Borio is currently treating about 50 children. Kari Fitzgerald says it something her son will continue to do.

"It's definitely a big part of the whole and it's really helped a lot," Fitzgerald said.

A support group called Healing Autism CNY meets every other week at Dr. Borio's office.