Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD Dana Kay

Why don’t traditional ADHD treatments always work? 
Why does it sometimes feel like no matter what you try - be it medication, supplements, therapy, or various other strategies - that NOTHING actually works long term for your child with ADHD? 
If you’ve ever asked either of  these questions, then this episode of the Soaring Child podcast is for you.
Many times, traditional ADHD treatments don’t work long term because they are focusing on symptom management, NOT actually addressing the underlying stressors of ADHD. Tune in to this episode to learn more. 
Link Mentioned in the Show:  ADHD Fast Class - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl 
Key Takeaways: [2:22] Why medication doesn’t always work
[5:13] Why supplementation doesn’t always work
[9:05] Why therapy doesn’t always work
[9:45] Why parent coaching doesn’t always work
[12:01] Why dietary changes alone don’t always work
[17:02] The REAL issue parents need to address in order to effectively reduce ADHD symptoms long term
Memorable Moments: ”If you've ever been puzzled by the effectiveness of traditional methods, this is your episode.”
”The biggest misconception about ADHD in kids is that medication is the only way to treat it. The problem with medications is that they merely mask the symptoms, without addressing the underlying stressors of ADHD.”
”Supplements can be effective and healing in the body. But first, parents need to be sure they are supplementing correctly.”
“We supplement based on a child’s unique needs, and not use a one size fits all approach. Because one size does not fit all.”
“Shockingly, many supplements have quality problems.”
”We sacrificed a LOT to try therapy for my son, and it did not help at all. Not even a little bit.”
”Therapy can be effective, but it’s not the most impactful way of handling ADHD symptoms for the vast majority of children.”
”While it is valuable to learn effective parenting strategies, and learn to communicate with your child better, those are almost never the reason children experience ADHD symptoms.”
”Diet can definitely make a difference. But, many children with ADHD are picky eaters, and they can act up if they aren’t given foods they like.”
”I have never seen a child grow out of ADHD without some kind of changes.”
”The truth is, most ADHD strategies…. often miss the mark in addressing the real issue. Instead, they only address the symptoms.”
”The reason traditional ADHD treatments don’t work long term is because they are focusing on symptom management, NOT actually addressing the underlying stressor of  the ADHD.”
”The World Health Organization ranks chronic inflammatory diseases as the greatest threat to human health.”
 
Dana Kay Resources:
🔗WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕INTERNATIONAL  BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻FREE MASTERCLASS
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
Dye-Free for ADHD Course - https://bit.ly/4aFj6TY

Have you ever wondered if there was more you could do to understand and manage your child's ADHD symptoms? 
One family's journey with functional lab testing might just offer the answers you're looking for. In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast episode, you can hear from Marisa, the mother of a child with ADHD who used functional lab testing to support her child.
Hear their story and discover how you too might benefit from this approach. 
Link Mentioned in the Show: 
Thriving with ADHD Book - adhdthriveinstitute.com/book
Key Takeaways:
[4:27] About Marisa & her family’s journey with ADHD
[9:43] Why Marisa decided to explore functional lab testing for her child
[14:32] The lab tests Marisa did with her child
[19:24] Key findings from the lab tests
[23:32] How Marisa first felt when they got their lab results back
[26:43] How Marisa handled the dietary and lifestyle changes they needed to make
[32:43] How long it took before Marisa saw improvements in her child
[35:08] Marisa’s advice to parents considering functional lab testing for their children
Memorable Moments:
“She was a very picky eater…Then we started noticing the emotional dysregulation.”
”We were starting to get some judgment from some of our family,  because when you don’t understand ADHD, you don’t get it. You look at a child and think, ‘Why can’t you discipline them? Why can’t you calm them down? Why can’t they regulate themselves?' They’re looking at them as bad kids because they see that as bad behavior.”
”For the first time in our journey, I felt understood. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this makes sense.’”
”Honestly for us, it was a relief. It was validation that we weren’t crazy..that there was something going on that we couldn’t identify.” 
”We go to doctors now…and you’re just always given something. Here’s a pill. Here’s a pill. Here’s a pill. And you never get to the root of the issue.”
”We never want her ADHD to be a handicap to her.”
”We go in and we think we need to do it all at once, but that’s overwhelming for us…We just did one thing at a time.”
”It was noticeable in her appearance as soon as she went off the gluten.”
”It just takes time. It’s hard at first…but just give it the time.”
”The functional lab testing… is that foundation, and you can build on it.”
”There’s more to treating ADHD than just medication. That is the one thing I wish I’d known.”
 
Dana Kay Resources:
🔗WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕INTERNATIONAL  BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻FREE MASTERCLASS
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
Dye-Free for ADHD Course - https://bit.ly/4aFj6TY

Did you know that ADHD is meant to be a diagnosis of exclusion? This means other potential causes should be considered before confirming ADHD. 
Surprisingly, conditions like concussions can show similar symptoms and are often misdiagnosed as ADHD. In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, Dr. Spencer Zimmerman joins the show to discuss how concussions in kids are frequently mistaken for ADHD and what signs to look for.
Dr. Zimmerman is a Clinician and Founder at Idaho Brain and Body Institute, where he helps individuals struggling with neurological, psychological, and body-based symptoms and conditions. He's refined his unique method over the past 10 years and has worked with over 2,000 patients. He's the author of the best selling book Brain-Reset: 7 Steps to a Healthier Brain. He's been on ABC, CBS, and Daily Flash talking about brain health.
He's uniquely cross trained as both a Chiropractor and Nurse Practitioner. He's a Diplomate in Chiropractic Neurology, a Peptide Certified Provider through A4M, and has extensive training in Functional Medicine and Functional Immunology. 
Link Mentioned in the Episode: 
Free Breakfast Guide for Better Mornings - http://adhdthriveinstitute.com/breakfastguide 
 
Key Takeaways:
[4:29] How often are concussion symptoms mistaken for ADHD?
[5:47] Similarities between ADHD symptoms and concussion symptoms
[7:17] How can parents make sure their kids are prepared for contact sports
[9:57] The prevalence of concussions among youth & signs to watch for
[14:47] What parents should do if they suspect a concussion
[18:35] Steps for recovery from a concussion
[21:38] When should kids go back to playing sports after a concussion
[22:37] What can be done to minimize the risk of concussions
[24:57] Where to find Dr. Zimmerman online
 
Memorable Moments:
 ”It may look like ADHD symptoms if a concussion goes misdiagnosed.”
”ADHD rates are going up, and there’s a lot of different things that are happening…that are contributing to that. But let’s not forget also that there can be other things that can cause ADHD-like symptoms.”
”When you get a diagnosis, you’ve got to say, ‘Is there a better explanation for it?’ So don’t ever give a kid an ADHD diagnosis unless you’ve said, ‘We’ve looked at the other things that would better explain these symptoms, and concussions are things that are routinely missed.”
”It’s actually upwards of 20% of kids who play contact sports will suffer a concussion each and every year, and 50% are never going to be diagnosed or evaluated…
”The goal is not to prevent them from playing sports. The goal is to say, ‘How can we play sports safely and  then when is the right time to return because your functionality is back where it should be?’”
”You shouldn’t be making a concussion diagnosis based purely on symptoms.”
”If you’re suspecting a concussion, you won’t see it on imaging. You have to do these detailed tests.”
”If you have a concussion, your risk of a lower extremity injury or any injury in a sport actually goes up the next 2 years...But if you get the concussion truly recovered and not just symptom-free, you’re going to minimize that risk.”
”Females have a greater risk for concussions.”
”Strengthen your neck because that way,  if you do, you’ve got more resilience.”
 
How to Connect with Dr. Spencer Zimmerman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drspencerzimmerman/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSpencerZimmerman 
Website: https://www.drspencerzimmerman.com/ 
 
Dana Kay Resources:
🔗WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: htt

“We are in a state of emergency for children’s mental health.” Dr. Elisa Song
In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, discover the most up-to-date information about children’s mental health and how gut health directly impacts mental health. Dr. Elisa Song joins the show to share what parents can do to build resilience in their children. 
Elisa Song, MD, is an integrative pediatrician and pediatric functional medicine expert, and most importantly, a mother to two thriving children. She has dedicated her career to helping parents and practitioners bridge the gap between conventional and holistic pediatrics with an evidence-based, pediatrician-backed, parent-approved approach. 
Dr. Song has lectured around the world at leading integrative and functional medicine conferences and premier parenting events. She has also been featured in hundreds of top podcasts, print, and online media outlets. Her new book, Healthy Kids, Happy Kids, is available now. 
 
Links Mentioned in the Podcast: 
ADHD Symptom Reduction Tool - http://adhdthriveinstitute.com/tool 
Dr. Elisa Song’s new book, Healthy Kids, Happy Kids - https://www.healthykidshappykids.com/book/ 
 
Key Takeaways:
[3:39] The current state of children’s mental health
[6:53] The gut-brain connection and how it relates to mental health
[17:16] The most common factors that disrupt our kids' microbiomes
[26:16] Tips for creating gut-brain resilience in children
[37:12] Healthy Kids, Happy Kids - Dr. Song’s new book
[40:28] Where to find Dr. Elisa Song online
 
Memorable Moments:
“We are in a state of emergency for children’s mental health.”
“By the time kids are 18, 1 in 2 will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder.”
“When we are talking about our children’s mental health…we always need to look at their guts.”
“Antibiotics given to infants…can significantly increase - by up to 50% - the risk of that child having mental health concerns by the time they are older kids or teenagers.”
“The vast majority of neurotransmitters are made by our gut microbiome.”
“If we do not have a healthy balance of all of these beneficial bacteria that make our neurotransmitters, there’s no way we can have optimal or healthy brain development or brain functioning.”
“One of the single most insidious and persistent and ever-present disruptors are our ultra-processed foods.”
“Not only do these ultra-processed foods affect our gut microbiome, they also affect our kids' brains.”
“It takes only 2 months of a steady diet of ultra-processed foods to change our brain, we can reverse that trend with a steady diet of gut-nourishing, brain-nourishing food.”
“Psychological stress can disrupt your gut microbiome in the matter of an hour.”
“Stress is not necessarily a bad thing.”
“Having no stress may be more stressful and inflammatory to your body and brain than having some stress that you can overcome.”
“When you want your kids to expand their pallets, the best way is to get them cooking.”
 
How to Connect with Dr. Elisa Song
Website: https://healthykidshappykids.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthykids_happykids/
 
Dana Kay Resources:
🔗WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕INTERNATIONAL  BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻FREE MASTERCLASS
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdth

What are primitive reflexes? What role do they play in ADHD symptoms? And can working on retained primitive reflexes really make that much of a difference in kids with ADHD? 
Dr. Kaleb Scroggin joins this episode of the Soaring Child podcast to share more on this topic. Dr. Scroggin was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia where he currently runs his pediatric-focused Chiropractic practice. He was a high level athlete growing up where he was exposed to sports chiropractic and even went on to work with pro athletes in the NFL and MLB during his undergraduate and the first portion of his chiropractic schooling. 
He was then exposed to the profound impact of working with children and the life changes that can happen when a child’s health is improved and restored. He immediately shifted from working with athletes and dove into newborn and neurodevelopmental health. From there he received a board certification in pediatrics and published a paper on balance and coordination in children with ASD, while running a practice and raising three beautiful children with his wife. Every day he is invigorated with the changes he sees in childrens’ lives.
If you are curious to learn more about retained primitive reflexes, tune in to this episode! 
 
Link mentioned in the podcast:
Book a free call with my team: https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/meet 
 
Key Takeaways:
[4:01] What are primitive reflexes?
[8:21] What are retained primitive reflexes?
[14:30] What should a parent do if they suspect a child has retained primitive reflexes?
[22:02] Are there specific reflexes that are directly related to ADHD challenges?
[30:16] Is there a time when it’s too late to fix these things?
[37:00] Where to find Kaleb online

 
Memorable Moments:
”Primitive reflexes are the major movers of your body from about 4 months pre-birth to about 4 months after birth, and their goal is to actually train your brain on what to do.”
”There’s about 14 different…primitive reflexes…that we check in our office on our new infant exams that should be there at birth.”
”There are some reflexes that are there starting at 4 months before birth and some that don’t come on until a few months after birth that help with different developmental milestones.”
”Movement is the #1 driver of brain development.”
”There’s a ton of infant reflexes that need to be integrated in order for that frontal lobe - the executive function - to have a good foundation to work.”
”You have to turn on the whole frontal part of the brain in the developmental order as a baby for the adult part of the brain to work appropriately.”
 
How to Connect with Dr. Kaleb Scroggin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restorationchirosavannah/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drkalebscroggin/
 
Dana Kay Resources:
🔗WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕INTERNATIONAL  BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻FREE MASTERCLASS
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
Dye-Free for ADHD Course - https://bit.ly/4aFj6TY

Summer is full of outdoor activities and memorable adventures. But it's also a time when our children are more exposed to various environmental toxins, like chlorine from swimming pools, chemicals in sunscreens, etc. These toxins can add a significant load to their bodies, exacerbating ADHD symptoms.
In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, discover how to have a non-toxic summer (and how to safely and effectively detox from any toxins your child might be exposed to). 
 
Links mentioned in the episode: 
My favorite magnesium flakes: https://amzn.to/3PISJEE 
My favorite HM-ET binder: https://shop.adhdthriveinstitute.com/hm-et-binder-120-capsules.html 
ADHD Fast Class: https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl 
Detoxification Episode - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-88/ 
 
Key Takeaways:
[3:20] Common toxins kids are exposed to during the summer
[7:20] Tips to make swimming less toxic
[11:38] What to look for in a sunscreen
[15:38] How parents can ensure a toxin-free environment at summer camp
[18:14] Natural ways to support detoxification and reduce the impact of toxins
 
Memorable Moments:
”During the summer, children are often more active and spend a considerable amount of time outdoors, which, while very beneficial for kids with ADHD, also increases their exposure to various environmental toxins.”
”Because children's bodies are still developing, they are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of chemical exposures. Their smaller size, higher rates of metabolism, and the fact that they're closer to the ground (where some toxins settle) further increase their risk.”
”Though chlorine isn’t ideal, there are things you can do to help your  kids detox those chemicals before and after swimming.”
”You can still use sunscreen but choose a cleaner brand and this will go a long way in reducing your child’s overall toxic load!”
”It’s much easier to limit a child’s toxic exposure when they’re at home with us under our supervision, but many of our kids will also be going to summer camps so we need to think about this too.“
”The goal is to support the body's natural detoxification processes, which include the liver, kidneys, digestive system, and skin, in a gentle and supportive way.”
”Remember, small tweaks can make a significant impact.”
 
Dana Kay Resources:
🔗WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕INTERNATIONAL  BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻FREE MASTERCLASS
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
Dye-Free for ADHD Course - https://bit.ly/4aFj6TY