Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD Dana Kay

“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
 

One of the most common questions I hear from families is, "How can I get my child, especially a teenager, on board with these changes?" 
If you have ever had that thought, then you definitely want to tune in to this episode. 
Joining the show for  this episode is a special guest, a teenager named Matthew who has been working with his family to successfully reduce his ADHD symptoms so much that he has reduced his medication by 90%. 
Matthew is a 17 year old student who is full of wisdom and insight for both kids on a similar journey and their parents. 
Link Mentioned in the Show:  Dye-Free for ADHD course - https://bit.ly/4aFj6TY  
  Key Takeaways: [4:54] About Matthew
[5:59] What led Matthew & his family to try natural strategies for ADHD
[8:08] Matthew’s doubts
[9:51] The success Matthew has felt since implementing natural strategies to reduce ADHD symptoms
[16:19] How Matthew explains his diet to friends
[17:41] How Matthew’s friends typically respond
[19:31] What Matthew does when going somewhere that unhealthy snacks are offered
[21:09] What motivates Matthew to stick to his dietary restrictions
[22:14] The biggest struggle Matthew has faced
[28:24] Matthew’s advice to other kids
  Memorable Moments: ”When my mom found this diet, it pretty much changed my life for the better.”
”This diet has made me decrease the medicine but still be able to focus…I’ve decreased my medicine by 90%…I don’t have low blood sugar anymore.”
”My taste buds have also changed during this diet.”
”My diet has been a positive influence on many people. In fact, my teachers will even come up with their meals and be like, ‘Look what I’m eating. I’m eating all these vegetables….' I’m known as the pepper boy at my school because every day I bring peppers.”
”Everyone knows that I have a diet, and no one judges me for it. In fact, I probably get more compliments than I do weird looks or anything.” 
”I have a community that accepts me.”
”Don’t be sad about what you can’t eat, but learn to enjoy what you can eat.”
”You can still have lots of friends even though you might not eat the same as them. If they’re good friends, they’re not going to leave you just because of what you eat.”
”It’s definitely worth it. 100%”
”Trust that the diet will make you the person that you want to be - for sure - because it made me the person I want to be.”
  Dana Kay Resources: 🔗WEBSITE:
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
  

ADHD symptoms don't emerge in a vacuum, and they often have underlying hidden stressors, sometimes multiple, that need to be addressed. Without tackling these root issues, families find themselves stuck on an endless rollercoaster of symptom management. 
One often overlooked stressor is Lyme disease. It’s known for its broad range of symptoms, including some of those that might mimic or exacerbate ADHD. 
In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, meet Heather Gray. Heather is a Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist and Bioenergetic Practitioner specializing in supporting clients with chronic and complex illnesses such as Lyme disease and similar diseases. She has 32 years of personal experience, and she understands the struggles of living with these conditions and is dedicated to helping others find relief.
Her personalized approach as a practitioner, podcast host, and author has helped countless people reduce inflammation in the body and brain, improve gut health, and achieve optimal wellness.
She helps her clients get to the root cause of their symptoms and helps them take control of their health journey. 
 
Link mentioned in the episode: 
Dye-Free for ADHD course - https://bit.ly/4aFj6TY 
 
Key Takeaways:
[4:49] Heather’s personal journey with chronic illness
[10:13] What is Lyme Disease & how do people get it?
[12:53] How long does it take after getting infected that someone begins showing symptoms?
[15:44] Symptoms of Lyme Disease parents should look out for in children
[19:12] What happened when Heather was finally diagnosed with Lyme Disease
[22:44] What a holistic approach to Lyme Disease looks like
[26:54] Heather’s advice to parents if they think Lyme Disease might be an issue for their child
[28:57] Where to find Heather online
 
Memorable Moments:
”Lyme disease is the great mimicer.”
”One of the telltale signs is it’s got migrating pain.”
”It’s a tick, mosquito, any blood-borne carrying insect…it can be sexually transmitted and it can be congenitally transmitted.”
”Only 30% of people with Lyme Disease will get that bullseye [rash].”
”There’s lots and lots of components that go into who gets it and who doesn’t.”
”I can’t even count how many times I’ve been reprimanded…when really it was an inflamed brain and lyme disease, mold toxicity, and celiac disease this whole time.”
”What a blessing it was at 34 years old…to finally have a piece of paper that said…there wasn’t something wrong with me in the way that I was made to feel my whole entire life.”
”The CDC just recognized chronic Lyme Disease as a disease for the first time last year.”
”I’ve talked to so many people with autoimmune and Lyme and they just talk about having flares, like it’s a normal part of the disease, which you don’t have to have the flares if you address all the different areas that need to be addressed.”
”No matter how common a symptom may be, it is never normal. It is always the body’s check engine light coming on, and sadly too often we take something over the counter, which is like putting a piece of tape over that check engine light, and things just keep getting worse and worse…So pay attention to those symptoms.”
 
How to Connect to Heather Gray
Website: www.thelymeboss.com 
Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lymebossheathergray 
 
Dana Kay Resources:
Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ 
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 Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Mastercl

Donna Cipolla is a well-respected gastroenterologist with a career full of achievements. She’s also a registered dietician and a mom who is deeply invested in her child's wellbeing. Donna has a child with ADHD, and she went down the journey of trying to help her son naturally after he hit rock bottom as a college student. 
In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, Donna shares not only her personal journey parenting a child with ADHD, but also her expertise as a medical doctor and the effectiveness of natural strategies for ADHD.
 
Link mentioned in the show: 
Thriving with ADHD book - adhdthriveinstitute.com/book



Key Takeaways:
[4:20] Donna’s personal journey with ADHD
[6:43] The challenges Donna’s son faced as a result of his ADHD
[8:45] Why Donna explored natural strategies for her adult son with ADHD
[11:55] The connection between gut health and ADHD symptoms
[14:46] How the medical community can incorporate more holistic principles into their practices
[18:05] How Donna’s son is doing now
[22:34] What Donna would tell skeptics
 
Memorable Moments:
 ”I tried everything I knew as a physician…No one ever - ever - suggested any kind of dietary intervention.”
”I thought I was doing good - giving him a good, healthy diet, but little did I know until I got into your program that there was so much more to dietary interventions than just the things that I knew as a dietician to do.”
As a dietitian and as a gastroenterologist…I’m well aware of the relationship between the brain and the gut interactions when it comes to gastrointestinal diseases...that same interaction affects the brain in terms of ADHD.”
”I was so frustrated as a dietician that the physicians did not appreciate the role of nutrition in preventing disease nor in treating disease and I thought, ‘Ya know, if I can become a physician, I can then write the diet orders and I can help thousands of patients with my expertise in nutrition to treat them.”
”As a patient, you turn to that doctor as the expert so somehow we have to get the word out there that nutrition, diet, and alternative methods are vital to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD
“My biggest regret is that I didn’t know sooner….My son, for 19 years, was on a path I thought was best, which was medication…How many years of his life did he lose because I didn’t know and try an alternative diet therapy?”
”You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
 
How to Connect to Donna Cipolla
Website: https://www.connecticutgi.org/donna-cipolla-md

 
Dana Kay Resources:
Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ 
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 Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl 
ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/