A Brain-Based Approach for Kids Struggling with Focus, Behavior, and Development
A 4-day intensive neurological rehabilitation program designed for children ages 4–12 to identify areas of dysfunction and support brain development through targeted therapy and measurable data.
Brain Health and Chiropractic · Sioux Falls, SD
Dr. Cooper Dykstra, DC, FIBFN-FN, CFMP
Founder — Brain Health and Chiropractic
You Know Something Isn't Right — But You're Not Getting Clear Answers
You've noticed the signs:
Trouble focusing
Emotional outbursts
Sensory sensitivities
Coordination issues
Difficulty in school
Behavioral challenges
But as a parent, you can tell something deeper is going on.
Identifying Dysfunction and Supporting Brain Development
The Pediatric Brain Reset Program is a 4-day intensive neurological rehabilitation program designed for children ages 4–12 to identify areas of dysfunction and support brain development through targeted therapy and measurable data.
This program focuses on improving regulation, sensory processing, coordination, and overall neurological function in a child-friendly, engaging environment.
Why Is This Different?
Most approaches focus on behavior, but we focus on the foundation of how your child's brain is developing and functioning. In many children, we find retained primitive reflexes that should have been integrated, along with weak foundational systems like balance, coordination, and eye movements.
These are not small issues — they are core building blocks of the brain, and when they aren't working properly, the brain has to compensate. That's when challenges with focus, behavior, emotional regulation, and learning begin to show up.
Our approach focuses on strengthening these foundational systems and improving how the brain communicates and regulates itself, so your child can function more efficiently. When the foundation improves, everything built on top of it can improve too.
Chapters
Why ADHD is a neurological conversation
Dr. Cooper reframes ADHD away from a pure behavior label and toward the underlying nervous system. When foundational brain systems are underdeveloped, focus, emotional regulation, and learning break down — and that's where a neurological approach becomes relevant.
Traditional vs. neurological assessment
Most ADHD evaluations rely on symptom checklists and behavioral observation. A functional neurology exam instead measures how the brain and nervous system are actually performing — reflexes, balance, visual processing, and timing.
Foundational systems: reflexes, balance, and eyes
Primitive reflexes, the vestibular (balance) system, and eye movements form the foundation a child's attention is built on. When any of these systems are underdeveloped or disorganized, the brain burns energy compensating instead of focusing.
Our assessment methods
A walkthrough of the objective testing used in the Pediatric Brain Reset Program — vision and eye-movement tracking, balance testing, reflex integration screens, and a symptom inventory — to build an accurate picture of what's driving a child's symptoms.
The Pediatric Brain Reset Score
How the scoring system converts those assessment findings into a single baseline number that identifies areas of dysfunction, guides the individualized plan, and is reassessed to measure objective progress rather than impressions.
Inside the 4-day intensive
What the 4-day schedule actually looks like — approximately 2 hours of targeted neurological rehabilitation per day, with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) included when appropriate and well tolerated.
The 4 core pillars of treatment
The four pillars used to structure every day of therapy — vision, vestibular (balance), cerebellar activation, and autonomic regulation — and how each one directly affects a child's ability to sustain focus and regulate emotion.
Program candidacy
Which children are good candidates for the program (ages 4–12, typically with ADHD, sensory processing challenges, focus or behavior concerns, or post-concussion) and the situations where a different first step may be more appropriate.
Long-term progress and follow-up
What happens after the 4-day intensive — the personalized home program parents continue with their child, and the approximately one-month reassessment to measure change and decide on next steps.
This Program May Be Right for Your Child
ADHD / focus challenges
Sensory processing difficulties
Neurodevelopmental delays
Post-concussion symptoms
Anxiety / emotional dysregulation
Autism spectrum
Learning differences
Childhood migraines
Program serves children ages 4–12. Children 13 and above are considered candidates for the adult Brain Reset Program.
Review. Reset. Restore.
Review
We begin with a comprehensive evaluation, starting with your Pediatric Brain Reset Symptom Index followed by a comprehensive neurological exam and advanced diagnostics including Neuro-Visual Processing Assessment (RightEye and VestibularFirst), Modified CTSIB Balance Assessment, and Reaction Time. This allows us to objectively assess how your brain and nervous system are functioning and calculate your Brain Reset Score, identifying the specific areas of dysfunction that need to be addressed.
Reset
Your child then completes the 4-day intensive, consisting of approximately 2 hours of targeted neurological rehabilitation per day, along with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) when appropriate. Each session is customized to your child's needs, using engaging, experience-driven therapies to stimulate and retrain developing brain pathways.
Restore
On the final day, we perform a reassessment to update your child's Brain Reset Score and objectively measure progress. You'll receive a personalized plan including home exercises, routines, and lifestyle strategies to help your child maintain and build on their results.
How We Drive Neurological Development
Neuroenergetics
Supporting brain energy and recovery using therapies such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and HBOT to improve cellular function and oxygen delivery.
Autonomic Balance
Helping regulate your child's nervous system to improve emotional control, stress response, and overall stability.
Sensory Integration
Improving how the brain processes and organizes sensory input (visual, vestibular, proprioceptive) to support coordination, focus, and behavior.
High-Intensity Therapy
Providing a focused, high-frequency dose of targeted input to drive meaningful neurological development and neuroplastic change.
The Pediatric Brain Reset Score
Pediatric Brain Reset Symptom Index
Completed by parents to understand symptoms, behaviors, and developmental history.
Comprehensive Neurological Exam
A hands-on evaluation of cranial nerves, eye movements, coordination, primitive reflexes, and sensory-motor function to identify specific areas of neurological dysfunction.
Neuro-Visual Processing Assessment (Neuro-Visual Processing Assessment (RightEye and VestibularFirst))
Assesses how the brain processes eye movements and visual input.
BTrackS Modified CTSIB Balance Assessment
This assesses how well your brain integrates visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive input to maintain stability.
Reaction Time and Processing Assessment
Evaluates cognitive speed, attention, and responsiveness, providing insight into how efficiently your brain processes and reacts to information.
The Pediatric Brain Reset Score
Each of these areas is scored and combined into a Brain Reset Score out of 100, providing an objective measure of how your brain and nervous system are functioning.
This score establishes your baseline, guides your individualized treatment plan, and is reassessed to track measurable progress over time.
Helping Your Child Gain Independence and Thrive
The goal of the Pediatric Brain Reset Program is to help children move out of a state of dysregulation and begin functioning more independently from their symptoms. By improving sensory processing, regulation, and neurological function, children can experience better focus, coordination, emotional control, and confidence.
A key focus is improving autonomic balance and sensory integration, creating a more stable foundation for growth. This allows children to better engage in daily activities, learning, and development while supporting long-term progress through home-based strategies.
Ultimately, the goal is to help your child gain independence, improve function, and thrive in their everyday environment.
A More Stable Foundation for Growth
When foundational brain systems are underdeveloped or not functioning properly, waiting often doesn't fix the problem — it can allow the gap to persist or even widen over time.
Early support allows the brain to develop more efficiently during a time when it is highly adaptable. The developing brain is especially receptive to change — and our programs are built around that principle.
Meet Dr. Natalie Haken
Dr. Natalie Haken
DC · Pediatric Brain Reset ProgramDr. Natalie Haken is passionate about helping children who are struggling with focus, behavior, and development find real answers and meaningful progress.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University of South Dakota, she went on to receive her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University. Her passion for pediatric neurological care is deeply personal — having experienced post-concussion symptoms herself growing up, she understands how frustrating and limiting these challenges can be. That experience is what drives her today.
Dr. Natalie has completed extensive training in clinical neuroscience and pediatric development, including advanced work through the Functional Developmental Behavioral Neuroimmunology and the Melillo Method. She is currently pursuing her Fellowship in Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders through the International Board of Functional Neurology.
Her approach is centered on identifying how the child's brain is functioning, not just managing symptoms.
What Parents Appreciate Most
Dr. Natalie takes the time to truly understand each child and create a plan that is both structured and individualized.
Parents often appreciate that she:
In Many Cases, Children Aren't the Only Ones Struggling
In many cases, we find that children aren't the only ones struggling. Parents often notice similar patterns — such as brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, or nervous system dysregulation. For this reason, some families choose to explore our Brain Reset Program, Brain Restore Program, or Health Restore Program to support their own brain and overall health alongside their child.
Adult Programs at Brain Health and Chiropractic
Neurological conditions often run in families. We also work with adults through the Brain Reset Program, Brain Restore Program, and Health Restore Program.
Explore Adult Programs →Frequently Asked Questions
What age range does this program serve?
Is this safe for children?
Do you coordinate with our pediatrician or OT/PT?
How many visits are included?
Do you take insurance?
Schedule a Discovery Call
The next step is to schedule a Discovery Call, where we'll review your child's symptoms, history, and goals to determine if the Pediatric Brain Reset Program is the right fit. If appropriate, you can move forward with the program or begin with a comprehensive evaluation to establish your child's Brain Reset Score and build a personalized plan.
Book a Discovery Call