5 Steps to Smoother Back-to-School Transitions for Kid with ADHD + SPD

As summer winds down and the back-to-school season looms on the horizon, we understand the unique mixture of hope and apprehension you might be feeling, especially if your child has ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), or anxiety. You know better than anyone that your child is creative, caring, and full of potential. But you also know that the structured environment, social pressures, and academic challenges of school can bring stress to your entire family.

If you're lying awake at night worried about your child's sleep difficulties, their struggles with transitions, their ability to stay focused in class, or their challenges in regulating emotions and behavior, please know that you're not alone. More importantly, we want you to know that there's hope, and you have more power than you might realize to set your child up for success this school year – without relying on medication.

The Changing Landscape of ADHD and SPD

Before we dive into our strategies, it's important to acknowledge a concerning trend. The rates of ADHD, SPD, and anxiety in children have skyrocketed in recent years. While conventional medicine often points to genetics and neurotransmitter imbalances as the culprits, we believe it's crucial to look at the bigger picture. Our children are growing up in a world that's more fast-paced, more stimulating, and often more stressful than ever before. At the same time, opportunities for physical activity, unstructured play, and connection with nature have decreased.

This is why we're passionate about offering a holistic, root-cause approach to supporting children with ADHD and SPD. We believe that by addressing underlying nervous system imbalances and making strategic lifestyle changes, we can help your child thrive – not just survive – in school and beyond.

Now, let's explore five game-changing strategies that can help transform your child's school experience!

1. Gradually Reset Sleep Schedules

Quality sleep is absolutely crucial for managing ADHD and SPD symptoms. During sleep, the brain consolidates learning, processes emotions, and recharges for the next day. Unfortunately, many children with ADHD and SPD struggle with sleep issues, creating a vicious cycle of fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Here's how to get back on track:

• Start adjusting bedtimes and wake times earlier by 15 minutes every few days. This gradual approach is less jarring than a sudden change.

• Establish a calming bedtime routine. 

• Minimize screen time at least an hour before bed..

• Create a sleep-friendly environment. 

1. Create an Organized Home Environment

Children with ADHD and SPD often struggle with organization and executive function skills. By creating structure and predictability at home, you can reduce anxiety and help your child feel more in control. Here's how:

• Set up a central command center. This could be a large wall calendar or whiteboard where you track everyone's schedules, upcoming assignments, and important events.

• Designate specific spaces for school items. This reduces morning stress and teaches valuable organizational skills.

• Implement color-coded systems.

• Create checklists for routines. Break down morning and evening routines into simple steps. 

1. Set Up a Distraction-Free Study Space

Many children with ADHD and SPD are highly sensitive to their environment. Creating a dedicated, distraction-free space for homework and studying can make a world of difference.

Here's how to set it up:

• Choose a quiet area away from high-traffic parts of the house.

• Ensure the space is well-lit, either with natural light or a good desk lamp.

• Stock the area with all necessary supplies. This reduces the need for your child to get up and potentially get distracted.

• If silence is too distracting, try white noise or instrumental music to help with focus.

1. Prioritize Morning Exercise and Physical Activity

The benefits of exercise for children with ADHD and SPD cannot be overstated. Physical activity improves cognitive function, boosts mood, and can help manage anxiety. Dr. John J. Ratey's groundbreaking book "Spark" presents compelling research on how exercise can be as effective as medication for some children with ADHD.

Here are some ways to incorporate more movement into your child's routine:

• Start the day with exercise. This improves cognitive function and emotional balance.

• Look for opportunities for movement throughout the day. This might include using a stability ball instead of a chair for homework, or taking "brain breaks" to do jumping jacks or stretches.

Remember, the goal is to make movement fun and natural, not a chore.

1. Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care

This might be new territory for you, but for many families, it's a game-changer. To understand why, let's briefly explore what's happening in the nervous system of a child with ADHD or SPD.

These conditions are often characterized by an overactive sympathetic "fight or flight" response. This leaves children constantly on edge, making it difficult to focus, transition between activities, or regulate emotions. At the same time, their parasympathetic "rest and digest" system, which is crucial for focus and emotional balance, remains underactive.

Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care aims to address these imbalances. Through gentle, specific adjustments, we work to release tension in the sympathetic nervous system while activating the calming parasympathetic system, including the vital vagus nerve.

This approach can lead to a range of benefits:

• Improved focus and memory

• More balanced energy and emotions

• Enhanced sleep quality

• Stronger immune function

• Better digestion and appetite regulation

• Fewer behavioral challenges

• Increased confidence and social skills

At Live Well Family Chiropractic, we use advanced diagnostic tools called INSiGHT Scans to create personalized care plans for each child. These scans allow us to pinpoint areas of nervous system stress and track improvements over time.

Empowering Your Child for the School Year Ahead

By implementing these strategies and addressing the root causes of your child's symptoms, you can set them up for a successful school year. Your child's brilliant mind deserves every opportunity to shine – in the classroom and beyond.

Remember, every child is different, and what works for one might not work for another. Be patient with yourself and your child as you implement these strategies. The journey might have its challenges, but with the right support and approach, your child can thrive. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Here's to a fantastic school year ahead – one where your child's unique gifts are recognized, nurtured, and celebrated.

Find Your Circle: Choosing the Right Providers for Your Prenatal Team

Becoming a mother is one of the most transformative experiences in life, filled with excitement, anticipation, and a fair share of uncertainty. As you prepare to welcome your little one, the first crucial step is assembling the right prenatal team. The professionals you choose to support you through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum play a significant role in your health and well-being, as well as that of your baby. Here’s why finding the right providers is essential and how Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care can be a game-changer in your prenatal journey.

The Importance of a Supportive Prenatal Team

Your prenatal team is your support system, guiding you through the physical and emotional changes of preconception, pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Here are a few reasons why choosing the right providers is so important:

1. Personalized Care: Every pregnancy is unique, and having providers who understand and respect your individual needs and preferences is crucial. Personalized care ensures that you and your baby are receiving the best possible support tailored to your specific circumstances.

2. Emotional Support: Pregnancy and childbirth can be emotionally challenging. Surrounding yourself with a team that offers empathy, reassurance, and encouragement can significantly improve your experience.

3. Aligned Vision: It’s essential to have providers who support your vision for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Whether you’re planning a home birth, VBAC, hospital delivery, or considering other options, having a team that respects and advocates for your choices is empowering and vital to have the birth of your dreams. 

If you are already a patient at Live Well family Chiropractic and have been to one of our Birth & Beyond Workshops, then you know how important having mom’s nervous system regulated is for baby’s development! Once our nervous systems are functioning and adapting the way they were designed to, it’s time to build our dream birth team! 

In a world that is full of intimidating diagnoses, politically-driven agendas, judgy mom groups, social media, trigger warnings left and right, and the Target checkout lady saying “sleep while you can,” it’s so hard to know where to turn to for advice when you find out that you’re pregnant. 

What if we started looking at the pregnancy journey and the motherhood transition a little differently than our society does? It starts with who and what we surround ourselves with. Today’s world is muddled with materials, opinions, and options when it comes to pregnancy, so who we choose to be in our circle is most important. Have you ever heard the saying, “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with?” Who you choose to be around and listen to are the people who have the most influence in your life. And at a time when you are most vulnerable, keep your birth team and circle tight. Have a circle that supports, empowers, and encourages you in all your choices during your pregnancy. 

Building the right prenatal team is an investment in your well-being and that of your child. By choosing providers who respect and support your vision for birth and postpartum and by incorporating Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care into your plan, you’re setting the stage for a healthier, more empowered pregnancy journey.

Don’t Know If Your Nervous System Is Regulated For or During Pregnancy? Get a Neurological INSiGHT Scan ⬇️

To ensure that your nervous system is in the best possible shape during this critical time, consider getting a neurological INSiGHT scan at Live Well Family Chiropractic. This advanced technology provides a detailed look at how your nervous system is functioning and adapting to the changes of pregnancy OR when preparing for pregnancy, for both mom and dad. It’s a valuable tool for creating a personalized care plan that supports both your health and the health of your baby.

Schedule your neurological INSiGHT scan at Live Well Family Chiropractic today and take the first step towards a healthier pregnancy and beyond.

How do I know if my child struggles with Sensory Processing Disorder?

Summer is a time for fun, relaxation, and enjoying various events like going to the beach, attending parades and carnivals, and going on vacation. However, for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), this season can be full of stress and difficulties. Many families first recognize the signs of sensory issues in their children during this time, noticing that they are easily overwhelmed in large crowds, struggle with loud noises, have trouble with transitions, and find it challenging to stay calm and regulated in the heat.

Sensory Processing Disorder affects a staggering 1 in 6 children, with numbers continually rising. Despite this prevalence, SPD is frequently overlooked or misunderstood by healthcare providers. Children with SPD have a nervous system that struggles to filter and regulate normal input, leaving them in a constant state of sensory overload. Sadly, pediatricians often dismiss parents' concerns, saying, "It's just a phase." However, early intervention is crucial for children with SPD to thrive, and these interventions must address the root cause of the disorder, not just recommend temporary "workarounds."

Common Signs of Sensory Processing Disorder in Children

1. Oversensitivity to touch, clothing, sounds, smells, lights, and trying new foods: Children with SPD may experience discomfort with certain textures, avoid being touched, or become distressed when clothing feels too tight or itchy. They may also cover their ears in response to normal sounds or fear loud noises like vacuum cleaners, sirens, or alarms.

2. Seeking or avoiding sensory input: Some children with SPD may constantly touch objects, seek strong tactile sensations, or engage in rough play, while others may avoid activities that involve physical contact, such as hugging, or become distressed by activities like haircuts or teeth brushing.

3. Difficulty with fine and gross motor skills: Children with SPD may struggle with tasks such as buttoning clothes, using utensils, writing, running, jumping, or riding a bike.

4. Balance and coordination issues: Frequent tripping, falling, or appearing clumsy can be signs of SPD.

5. Poor body or spatial awareness: Children with SPD may have difficulty knowing where their body is in space, leading to bumping into objects or people.

6. Feeling overwhelmed in crowded places: Distress or anxiety in crowded environments like malls, parks, or parties is common among children with SPD.

7. Difficulty transitioning between activities: Meltdowns or anxiety may occur when changing from one activity to another or moving between different environments.

8. Emotional outbursts and difficulty self-calming: Children with SPD may have frequent tantrums or meltdowns in response to sensory overload or frustration and struggle to soothe themselves when upset, often needing external help to calm down.

9. Hyperactivity or inactivity: Depending on the sensory input they seek or avoid, children with SPD may be excessively active or lethargic.

10. Difficulty sleeping and poor attention span: Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep due to sensory sensitivities, and difficulty focusing on tasks are common among children with SPD.

11. Repetitive behaviors: Engaging in repetitive motions or actions as a way to self-soothe or manage sensory input can be a sign of SPD.

What's Really Happening with the Nervous System in SPD? 

Sensory processing is a three-part process:

1. Sensory input enters through the sensory nerves and the sensory aspect of the spinal cord, reading information from both internal (body) and external environments.

2. The brain and central nervous system process or interpret sensory information, determining what is important to pay attention to and react to and what should be filtered out or ignored.

3. The brain and nervous system send information and "actions" or "impulses" to various parts of the brain and body to react and respond to the incoming sensory input.

When the sensory nerve pathways into the brain and nervous system are altered and interfered with, the brain and nervous system receive "bad information." This leads to poor decision-making or interpretation and, ultimately, challenging actions and outputs. The root cause of SPD is a neurosensory communication and connection problem called subluxation or nervous system dysregulation.

The Perfect Storm: Factors Contributing to the Development of SPD

Several factors can contribute to the development of Sensory Processing Disorder, creating a "perfect storm" that leads to the onset of sensory issues. These factors may include:

1. High-stress pregnancy: Maternal stress during pregnancy can impact fetal brain development and increase the risk of sensory processing difficulties.

2. Birth interventions: Forceps, vacuum extraction, induction, and cesarean section can physically alter the function of the brainstem, the crucial area of the brain that processes and interprets sensory information.

3. Environmental factors: Exposure to toxins, pollutants, and other environmental stressors can impact neurodevelopment and contribute to sensory processing issues.

4. Genetic predisposition: Some children may have a genetic vulnerability to developing SPD, which can be triggered by environmental factors or other stressors.

Understanding these factors can help parents and healthcare providers better identify children at risk for SPD and intervene early to provide the necessary support and care.

The Path Forward: Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care 

While the root cause of Sensory Processing Disorder may not be found using common medical diagnostic testing, Neurological INSiGHT Scans are designed to find subluxation, nervous system dysregulation, and dysfunction. These scans can help you see exactly what's causing your child's frequent tantrums, meltdowns, and sensory difficulties.

If you feel like you've already tried months or even years of OT and made various sensory "workarounds" part of your everyday life, and you just want things to be easier and less "modified" for your child and family, it's time to learn more about how Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care works.

This specialized form of chiropractic care can do wonders for children struggling with sensory issues. By addressing the root cause of SPD, chiropractic care can help your child and entire family experience an easier, calmer, and more consistent quality of life.

Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic benefits children by addressing subluxations and nervous system dysregulation. This leads to improved sensory processing and responses to sensory input. As the nervous system begins functioning better, children may experience better emotional regulation, resulting in fewer emotional outbursts and easier self-regulation. Additionally, a balanced nervous system can help with focus and attention and improve sleep. 

If you suspect your child may have Sensory Processing Disorder, please reach out to Live Well Family Chiropractic today! Early intervention and the right care can make all the difference in your child's development and overall well-being.

Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care offers a drug-free, non-invasive approach to addressing the root cause of SPD. By understanding the signs, causes, and available care options, you can take the first steps toward supporting your child's sensory processing and creating a more pleasant family environment.