In this episode, Dr. Vic Manzo challenges the traditional view of ADHD, reframing it not as a behavioral defiance but as a neurological "glitch" in a child's foundation. He explains how many children diagnosed with ADHD are actually trapped in a body running on "infant survival software," where primitive reflexes that should have integrated in infancy remain active, causing constant overstimulation and physical exhaustion.

Dr. Vic describes the brain's development as a four-story building. If the lower floors are unstable, the top floor (learning and emotional control) cannot function optimally.

Here is the breakdown of the Neurological Developmental Ladder as discussed in the episode, organized by how your child’s brain builds its foundation:

• Focus: Primitive Reflexes & Survival
• Function: This is the "automatic" center. It is designed to move a baby from horizontal to vertical.
• Impact if "Glitched": The child stays stuck in "Survival Software." This leads to constant fight-or-flight, high anxiety, and a shaky foundation that disrupts every level of growth above it.

• Focus: Vestibular System & Balance
• Function: Controls spatial awareness and knowing where the body is in space. It strengthens the "vertical" process.
• Impact if "Glitched": Results in "static" in the nervous system. You'll see poor coordination, "clumsiness," and a lack of physical balance.

• Focus: Ocular System & Sensory Filtering
• Function: Manages eye tracking, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to filter out background noise/stimuli.
• Impact if "Glitched": The child cannot filter sensory input, leading to overstimulation. It causes eye fatigue and makes reading physically exhausting.

• Focus: Executive Function & Higher Learning
• Function: The home of reading, math, language, and emotional control.
• Impact if "Glitched": This is where the "Third Grade Wall" happens. You see emotional outbursts, learning disabilities, and a struggle with impulse control because the lower levels are stealing all the brain's energy.

Dr. Vic highlights three specific primitive reflexes that, when not integrated, mimic the symptoms of ADHD:

• The Moro (Startle) Reflex: Keeps the child in a state of high cortisol and anxiety. It is the "fight or flight" reflex that should turn off at four months.
• The ATNR (Fencer) Reflex: Makes the physical act of writing and reading exhausting. If a child's arm wants to extend every time they turn their head, they cannot focus on the page.
• The Spinal Galant (The Wiggler): Any touch to the back triggers a hip wiggle. This is the "fidgety" child who cannot stay in their seat and often struggles with bedwetting.

A critical takeaway is the concept of Neurological Debt. Dr. Vic warns that children do not "grow out" of these issues; they simply compensate. This compensation is "metabolically expensive," with some children using 90% of their energy just to sit still, leaving only 10% for actual learning. Over time, this leads to burnout, shattered self-esteem, and chronic anxiety by age 12.

The solution lies in neuro-focused chiropractic care. By clearing the "static" in the nervous system—particularly in the C1, C2, and occiput area—chiropractic adjustments allow the brain to move out of sympathetic dominance (the gas pedal) and into a parasympathetic state (the brake pedal) where healing and integration can finally occur.

Listen to the Full Episode: www. Here]Book a Consultation: If you're in the Knoxville, Morristown, or Maryville area, visit www.WellnessPathChiro.com to help your child thrive.

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Are you seeing dark circles under your child’s eyes? Do they sleep with their mouth open, or have you noticed they’ve started snoring? While often dismissed as "cute" or just a phase, these are actually red flags for a quiet epidemic affecting the development of our children.

In this episode of The Wellness Path, Dr. Vic Manzo dives deep into the intricate relationship between oral function, cranial structure, and the nervous system. He breaks down why the tongue is the "internal architect" of the face and how early intervention can prevent a lifetime of health hurdles.

• The Internal Architect: Why breastfeeding is about more than just nutrients—it’s a workout that shapes the hard palate and skull.
• The Cranial Connection: How birth trauma (C-sections, forceps, or prolonged labor) can shift the sphenoid and occiput bones, impacting the nerves that control the tongue.
• The Neurological Cascade: How mouth breathing traps a child in Sympathetic Overdrive (fight-or-flight), potentially leading to symptoms that mimic ADHD and sensory processing issues.
• The Nitric Oxide Factor: The vital role of nasal breathing in oxygenating the brain and supporting the immune system to prevent chronic ear infections and enlarged tonsils.
• A Collaborative Path to Healing: Why Dr. Vic works alongside lactation consultants and airway-focused dentists to restore "vagal tone" and help the body self-regulate.

• [02:25] Anatomy of the tongue: Why a "high, narrow palate" isn't just genetic—it's structural.
• [04:50] The Hypoglossal Nerve: Understanding how the top of the neck controls the bottom of the tongue.
• [07:11] Nasal vs. Mouth Breathing: The science of Nitric Oxide and brain oxygenation.
• [12:01] Birth Trauma & TOTS: How "Tethered Oral Tissues" (tongue and lip ties) affect the nervous system.
• [16:47] The ADHD Link: Why fragmented sleep from poor airway health leads to prefrontal cortex dysfunction.
• [23:48] Beyond Braces: Why you should see a chiropractor before starting a dental palate expander.
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If you are noticing these "allergic shiners," mouth breathing, or restless sleep in your child, don't wait for them to "grow out of it." Let’s ensure their nervous system is in a state of growth, not survival.

Book an Appointment: If you live in the Knoxville, Maryville, or Morristown area:

• Text us: 865.214.7438
• Schedule Online: thewellnesspath.janeapp.com

Have Questions? Reach out via text at the number above or email us at info@wellnesspathchiro.com.

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