ADHD as a Neurological Conversation

May 3

Written By Steven Schmidt

Pediatric ADHD: Functional Neurology Approach in Sioux Falls SD | Brain Health and Chiropractic

Pediatric Brain Reset 13 minutes Sioux Falls, SD

Pediatric ADHD: A Functional Neurology Approach in Sioux Falls, SD

ADHD is most often viewed as a behavioral diagnosis. In our practice at Brain Health and Chiropractic, we look at it as a neurological one — and in many children we evaluate, we find measurable dysfunction in the foundational systems the brain is built on.

By Dr. Cooper Dykstra, DC, FIBFN-FN, CFMP · featuring Dr. Natalie Haken

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ADHD is most often viewed as a behavioral diagnosis. We look at it as a neurological one — and start by measuring what most evaluations don't.

Brain Health and Chiropractic

Chapters

10 chapters · 13:50 total · click to jump

Why ADHD is a neurological conversation

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Traditional vs. neurological assessment

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Foundational systems: reflexes, balance, and eyes

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Our assessment methods

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The Pediatric Brain Reset Score

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Inside the 4-day intensive

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The 4 core pillars

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Program candidacy

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Long-term progress and follow-up

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Scheduling a Discovery Call

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Why ADHD Is a Neurological Conversation

Watch from 0:00

ADHD is most often viewed as a behavioral diagnosis. At Brain Health and Chiropractic, we look at it as a neurological one — and in many children we evaluate, we find measurable dysfunction in the foundational systems the brain is built on: primitive reflexes that should have integrated, balance and coordination, eye movements, sensory processing, and autonomic regulation.

When those systems are underdeveloped, the brain has to compensate. That's when focus, emotional regulation, sleep, and learning start to break down — and where a neurologically-based approach can make a meaningful difference.

— Brain Health and Chiropractic, Sioux Falls SD

Traditional vs. Neurological Assessment

Watch from 1:12

A traditional ADHD evaluation is typically built around symptom checklists, observation in school or home settings, and parent and teacher input. It is structured to confirm a diagnosis and guide medication or behavioral support. That has a place — and we work with families who use it.

A neurological assessment asks a different question: what specifically in this child's brain function is making focus, regulation, and coordination harder than it should be? Then we measure the systems that drive those abilities, score what we find, and build a plan around the gaps.

Two Lenses

Behavioral Framing vs. Neurological Framing

Both have a role. They ask different questions and build different care plans.

Traditional / Behavioral

Diagnose & manage symptoms

Symptom checklists and rating scales
Parent and teacher questionnaires
Observation in classroom and home settings
Medication-focused (stimulant or non-stimulant)
Behavior-modification strategies

Functional Neurology

Measure & rebuild foundational systems

Primitive reflex assessment
Balance and coordination testing
Eye movement and visual processing measurement
Sensory processing and autonomic regulation evaluation
Targeted neuroplasticity-based therapy to retrain weak systems

Foundational Systems: Reflexes, Balance, and Eyes

Watch from 2:38

The brain is built on foundational systems. When any one of them is not working the way it should, the systems above it have to compensate — and compensation costs energy and attention. Below are the five systems we measure most often in pediatric cases.

Five Foundational Systems

What We Measure in a Pediatric Brain Reset

1

Primitive Reflexes

Infant reflexes that should integrate by toddlerhood. When retained, they pull attention and motor control off-task.

2

Balance & Coordination

The vestibular and cerebellar systems that anchor the body in space. Weakness here taxes the brain's resources.

3

Eye Movements

Tracking, teaming, and fixation. When the eyes work poorly, reading, attention, and emotional regulation suffer.

4

Sensory Processing

How the brain organizes incoming touch, sound, and movement. Dysregulation drives meltdowns and avoidance.

5

Autonomic Regulation

The fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest balance. Locked sympathetic states block focus, sleep, and learning.

Our Assessment Methods

Watch from 4:15

The Pediatric Brain Reset evaluation pulls from several standardized tools and clinical exams: a parent-completed Pediatric Brain Reset Symptom Index, a comprehensive neurological exam, Neuro-Visual Processing Assessment using RightEye and VestibularFirst, balance testing, and reaction-time measurement. Each piece gives us a quantitative read on a different foundational system.

We also draw on advanced training in childhood neurobehavioral disorders (Melillo Method, IAFNR), which informs how we sequence findings across reflexes, vision, vestibular function, and autonomic state.

The Pediatric Brain Reset Score

Watch from 6:22

Once the assessments are complete, the findings consolidate into a single objective measure: the Pediatric Brain Reset Score. It establishes the child's baseline, guides the individualized care plan, and is reassessed throughout the program so progress is measurable instead of subjective.

For families who have been told "let's see how the new medication works" or "give it a few months," a numbered baseline that we can re-test against changes the conversation. You see what is improving, by how much, and where the next focus should be.

Inside the 4-Day Intensive

Watch from 7:48

The Pediatric Brain Reset Program is structured as a 4-day intensive. Day 1 is split — a half-day of focused neurological evaluation that produces the baseline Pediatric Brain Reset Score, followed by an afternoon of targeted therapy once the individualized plan is built. Days 2 through 4 continue that neuroplasticity-based therapy mapped to that child's specific findings — vision drills, vestibular exercises, primitive reflex integration work, sensory regulation, and autonomic-balancing strategies sequenced by the clinical team.

The intensity is intentional. Repeated, focused stimulation of weak systems drives faster neurological adaptation than the same volume spread thin over months.

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When foundational systems are underdeveloped, the brain has to compensate. Compensation costs the very things parents watch break down: focus, regulation, sleep, learning.

Dr. Cooper Dykstra

Program Flow

How the 4 Days Are Structured

Day 1

Half-Day Evaluation, Half-Day Therapy

The morning is a focused neurological evaluation — Pediatric Brain Reset Symptom Index, Neuro-Visual Processing Assessment, balance and reaction-time testing — to calculate the Pediatric Brain Reset Score and build the individualized plan. The afternoon begins targeted therapy.

Days 2 – 4

Targeted, Neuroplasticity-Based Therapy

High-frequency, individualized sessions across the four core pillars — sequenced by what the Day 1 baseline revealed. Reassessment markers are built in so improvement is visible day to day, not month to month.

The 4 Core Pillars

Watch from 9:30

Every session block during the intensive maps to one of four pillars. The mix and intensity per pillar are dialed to that child's findings.

Program Architecture

The 4 Core Pillars of the Pediatric Brain Reset Program

Each pillar addresses a specific foundational system and contributes to the integrated care plan.

01

Neuroenergetics

Supporting brain energy and recovery using therapies such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and HBOT to improve cellular function and oxygen delivery.

02

Autonomic Balance

Helping regulate your child's nervous system to improve emotional control, stress response, and overall stability.

03

Sensory Integration

Improving how the brain processes and organizes sensory input (visual, vestibular, proprioceptive) to support coordination, focus, and behavior.

04

High-Intensity Therapy

Providing a focused, high-frequency dose of targeted input to drive meaningful neurological development and neuroplastic change.

Program Candidacy

Watch from 11:05

The Pediatric Brain Reset Program is not right for every child. Candidacy is determined during a Discovery Call and confirmed at evaluation. We look at age (typically 4–12), the symptom profile, the child's tolerance for an intensive format, and what families have already tried. If a different approach is a better fit — or if the child needs another specialty first — we will say so.

Conditions we see most often inside this program: ADHD and focus challenges, sensory processing difficulties, neurodevelopmental delays, post-concussion symptoms, anxiety and emotional dysregulation, autism spectrum, learning differences, and childhood migraines. Read the full Pediatric Brain Reset Program page →

Long-Term Progress and Follow-Up

Watch from 12:18

The 4 days are the foundation. What comes after is how families hold the gains. Every child leaves the program with home protocols specific to their findings — reflex work, vision drills, vestibular activities, and lifestyle and sleep recommendations that support the brain's continued development.

Start with a Discovery Call

Watch from 13:12

If your child has been on the receiving end of paperwork, evaluations, and prescriptions but you are still looking for something more measurable, a Discovery Call is the next step. It is a 15-minute conversation, free of charge — we listen to your child's story, share what a neurological framing of their case might reveal, and tell you honestly whether the Pediatric Brain Reset Program is a fit. Or call the office directly at (605) 799-7579.

Clinical Team

About the Authors

Dr. Cooper Dykstra

DC, FIBFN-FN, CFMP

Founder of Brain Health and Chiropractic in Sioux Falls, SD. Fellow of the International Board of Functional Neurology and a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. Advanced training in childhood neurobehavioral disorders through the Melillo Method and IAFNR.

Dr. Natalie Haken

Pediatric Brain Reset Lead

Leads the Pediatric Brain Reset Program. Focused on helping children who are struggling with focus, behavior, sensory processing, and developmental concerns find measurable, neurologically-driven progress.

Continue Exploring

Programs at Brain Health and Chiropractic

Find the right path for you or your child — every program starts with a free Discovery Call.

Brain Reset Program

4-day adult intensive for post-concussion, POTS, dizziness, migraines, brain fog, and complex neurological symptoms.

Pediatric Brain Reset Program

Ages 4–12. ADHD, sensory processing, neurodevelopmental delays, anxiety, autism spectrum, learning differences.

Brain Restore Program

2–4 month rehab for TBI, MCI, early Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, CTE, and progressive neurological conditions.

Health Restore Program

3–6 month functional medicine program for chronic fatigue, gut health, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune conditions.

View FAQ Book a Free Discovery Call Or call (605) 799-7579

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A numbered baseline you can re-test against changes the conversation. Progress becomes measurable instead of subjective.

The Pediatric Brain Reset Score

Next Step

See If the Pediatric Brain Reset Program Is Right for Your Child

A free 15-minute Discovery Call with our team — no commitment.

Schedule a Discovery Call Call (605) 799-7579

Brain Health and Chiropractic · Sioux Falls, SD · (605) 799-7579

Post-Concussion Syndrome