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With the birth of any child, a parent experiences a vast array of emotions; unfiltered excitement, unbridled affection, immense pride and pure joy to name a few.
I am a chiropractor, more specifically one that helps a ton of kids with neurodevelopment challenges like Sensory Challenges, ADHD, Autism, anxiety and more. Given my experience and the fact that I am in constant communication with some of the leading pediatric specialists in the country, I’ve had countless conversations with Moms and studied not only patterns of behavior and care options, but case histories. I don’t believe there is a singular cause for all of the Sensory Challenges that have seen a meteoric rise over the last couple of decades…but I do see patterns.
Quite possibly one of the most overlooked childhood epidemics facing our kids today is birth trauma. Interventions are in many cases absolutely necessary, but that doesn’t negate or dilute the physical and neurological toll it takes on a child and mother. C-sections save lives, but the medical literature tells us that they put upwards of 60+ pounds of pull force on a baby’s delicate head, brain stem and neck! Over 90% of the countless case histories with Sensory Challenges and neurodevelopmental disorders have some story attached to the pregnancy or birth. While the root causes of these challenges can be ambiguous, it is abundantly clear that a child with ADHD or Autism or SPD is a child whose brain is stuck in the fight or flight mode……the sensory stress mode. It is a clearly defined neurological state with predictable markers and patterns.
The pregnancy with Jacob was difficult and filled with stress. His birth was even more of a struggle, ending up in a C-Section. I had no idea at the time the impact birth trauma would have on Jacob’s nerve system and development. As young parents, we didn’t know how to comfort my son. Breast feeding was difficult and therefore we were told to stop and start him on formula. We went through every possible formula out there! He would scream from the pain and discomfort. We didn’t know how to help him and the stress just kept piling up…..yet we kept following our pediatrician’s advice.
His early years were filled with colic, 💩 constipation, 👂 ear infections, difficulty 💤 sleeping and many other challenges. At the time, I thought it was all normal and that every baby went through it.
He continued to develop, but much slower than most. He was super smart but behind in speech.
At the age of 2, his pediatrician came in and said, “I think your son has Autism.” I asked him why and he told me that he had just gotten back from a seminar and Jacob had many red flags/markers that they taught in the seminar. I told him I would like to know more before we just slapped him with the label if he truly was not autistic. Jacob was 6-8 months behind in speech, we could never control him. They would call him the Tasmanian Devil when he would come into the office.
At the age of 4, we knew no different so we trusted and did what the conventional medical doctors told us to do. He was placed on 💊💊 medication that changed who he was….my little Jacob….my son was gone. He was a complete zombie. Disconnected. There was a vacancy in his eyes that terrified me!! I did not want this for my son…At this time, I still did not know what I know now, but I am so glad that I listened to my gut and took him off the meds immediately !
At the age of 7, his mother and I went through a divorce and Jacob began to struggle even more in school. His anxiety was now off the charts, his anger and behavior began to get worse and he ended up missing 50+ days between absences and tardies in 4th grade and that number rose to 60+ in 5th grade. For three years, I would adjust Jacob on the weekends that I would have him, but it was never enough. He would go back and have meltdown after meltdown so much that they created a “cool down” zone outside his classroom that he could leave and go to after being triggered. He was always crying. It was a constant stressful situation for him and he could not function. During this time, I began to work with kiddos on the spectrum and had amazing results, but didn’t have the opportunity to care for him the way he needed.
The last day of 5th grade, I got him, and have had full custody of him ever since. At that moment, we began to adjust him and put him on the protocol that I do for the kiddos and practice members that come into my office. FINALLY!!!! I was able to begin to care for MY SON the way I had done for others. He began to THRIVE and EXPRESS LIFE like never before!!!!!
Fast forward a few years, and he now in 10th grade with straight A’s and his highest grade in English….maybe not a big deal, but to a kid that has a diagnosis of dyslexia it is phenomenal. He has had ZERO tardies and rarely missed any school in 4.5 years. He is CRUSHING LIFE right now. Over the last 4 years, he has won several awards in both band, marching band, and academics, such as student of the quarter from the Principal, Student of the month and many more!!! He finished his freshman year in the top 9% of his class.
As a father and doctor, I can not express how incredible this miracle truly is.
Watching him suffer with anxiety, melt downs, fear, signs of ADHD, and even possibly Autism, he has been able to heal and live the life that he has always wanted, and that I have always wanted.
I know Jacob will change the world because he has changed mine and countless others!!! Everyone that knows him wants to take him home because of the Joy and Happiness he brings to them.