Hope-Unlocked

08/31/2025

🌟 There’s a blueprint for brain development… and EVERYTHING is controlled by the brain 🧠

🌟If kids aren’t regulated in their nervous system (aka, primitive reflexes are not integrated and “asleep” in their brain stem) and they have not properly developed their sensory processing systems (aka, vestibular, proprioceptive, and visual systems), then they do not have the capacity (aka, executive function) to learn speech and language in the same way that their typical developing peers are learning, and they don’t have the capacity to pick up on all the non-verbal cues for functional communication.
 
🌟In the same way you wouldn’t expect a roof to last on a house with a poorly laid foundation, we can’t expect kids to engage in some of the most complex processing (aka speech and language) successfully without strengthening these underlying systems.
 
🌟As a speech and language pathologist, I understand the value of traditional therapy models….BUT, I also know that traditional methods alone are often not enough for our most complex kiddos!
 
🌟If you haven’t seen the progress that you hoped for from traditional speech and language therapy alone, DM me “More” and I’ll send you a short video about the science behind the program that targets all of these areas! Let’s start a conversation and unlock hope together! 🌈

06/22/2025

The brain 🧠 follows a set of rules—and they’re pretty non-negotiable. Knowing these rules helps you understand where your child is in the developmental process.

As a pediatric SLP, when I meet a child who isn’t yet speaking, I always look at where they are in the motor development hierarchy. If these foundational levels are skipped or incomplete, it can slow or stall progress.

While it’s just one part of the bigger picture, integrating primitive reflexes and strengthening communication between the two brain hemispheres is often a missing piece—and one that can make a big difference.

If you’d like to know more about the program we use to help kids more through these developmental levels, DM me “Movement” and I’ll send you a short video and we can start a conversation! Let’s unlock hope together 🌈

06/22/2025

05/19/2025

04/26/2025

The learning curve lately has been steep… but I keep learning and listening so that I can meet families where they are, trying to navigate the gap between celebrating the beauty of their child with complex needs, and supporting their ability to connect with the world we live in. So much to think about! So much still to learn!

04/22/2025

04/02/2025

03/24/2025

The left side of our brain is the Gas Pedal 👇🏻

It says:
•Go here
•Do this
•Say that
•Get angry
•Go, go, go, go, go!

The right side of our brain is the opposite - saying
•Stop and think
•What happens next?
•Remember what happened last time you did that?
•You might get a weird look if you do that
•That’s not safe
•What’s their body language telling me?

Kiddos with diagnosis like ADHD or Autism have an imbalance between their two hemispheres.

For example, we might find that a 12 year old has a Left Brain that’s functioning right where it should be, at a 12-yo level. 💪🏻

But their right hemisphere is delayed and immature in it’s function, and it’s only functioning at an 8yo level right now. 🐌

Now we have a gap in function. The left Brain is saying Go! Go! Go! And the right brain is trying to keep up and say “wait a minute, stop and think!” But because it’s functioning at a lower level than the left brain, those regulatory signals just can’t quite make their way through fast enough and your kiddo is acting on impulses and anger.

ADHD and Autism are not a character problem. ⚠️

Your kiddo has a way that they WANT to act and react and interact, but they don’t have proper access to their regulatory networks so all of those impulses just kind of spill out of them before they have a chance to stop themselves.

Which, over time, can even start leading to some serious self-worth and confidence struggles for them. 😕

There are strategies that we can use to correct the imbalance between the two hemispheres! We know that we can actually send stimulation directly into their right hemisphere so that, over time, it can get stronger and start keeping up with their left brain! 🌱 Which means they don’t have to struggle with this stuff forever. 💥

DM me “Balance” and I’ll send you a quick video breaking down the science 🧬 of how I can help you start taking steps 🪜 to see the balance restored!

Let’s unlock hope together 🌈

03/24/2025

The left side of our brain is the Gas Pedal 👇🏻

It says:
•Go here
•Do this
•Say that
•Get angry
•Go, go, go, go, go!

The right side of our brain is the opposite - saying
•Stop and think
•What happens next?
•Remember what happened last time you did that?
•You might get a weird look if you do that
•That’s not safe
•What’s their body language telling me?

Kiddos with diagnosis like ADHD have an imbalance between their two hemispheres.

For example, we might find that a 12 year old has a Left Brain that’s functioning right where it should be, at a 12-yo level. 💪🏻

But their right hemisphere is delayed and immature in it’s function, and it’s only functioning at an 8yo level right now. 🐌

Now we have a gap in function. The left Brain is saying Go! Go! Go! And the right brain is trying to keep up and say “wait a minute, stop and think!” But because it’s functioning at a lower level than the left brain, those regulatory signals just can’t quite make their way through fast enough and your kiddo is acting on impulses and anger.

ADHD isn’t a character problem. ⚠️

They have a way that they WANT to act and react and interact, but they don’t have proper access to their regulatory networks so all of those impulses just kind of spill out of them before they have a chance to stop themselves.

Which, over time, can even start leading to some serious self-worth and confidence struggles for them. 😕

There are strategies that we can use to correct the imbalance between the two hemispheres! We know that we can actually send stimulation directly into their right hemisphere so that, over time, it can get stronger and start keeping up with their left brain! 🌱 Which means they don’t have to struggle with this stuff forever. 💥

DM me “Balance” and I’ll send you a quick video breaking down the science 🧬 of how I can help you start taking steps 🪜 to see the balance restored!

Let’s unlock hope together 🌈

02/08/2025

What are primitive reflexes? Basically, a set of reflexes every human is born with that, as time goes on, should be integrated or suppressed or essentially “shut off” by right around 1yo.

When these reflexes don’t “shut off” properly, there are a handful of issues that can arise from this

1) Symptoms that are directly correlated to the individual reflexes such as poor handwriting, chewing on things, poor posture, sensitivity to loud noises, and explosive anger.

2) A downstream set of consequences that will inevitably follow, because our brains develop in layers! If primitive reflexes (in the brain stem) aren’t integrated perfectly, the following layers of neurodevelopment (sensory, motor, cognitition, visual, and executive function) are not going to perfectly develop.

3) A consistent and disruptive signal that comes from the brainstem that’s interfering with proper brain function. As long as primitive reflexes persist, kids are essentially “trapped” down in their brain stem - a place that’s reactive and keeps them in fight or flight.

So whether your child struggles with ADHD, ASD, OCD, Anxiety, SPD, or any other social, emotional, behavioral, or learning delay, it is CRUCIAL that you take a look into primitive reflex integration so that you can begin addressing your kiddo’s struggles from the true root! 🌱

DM us “primitive” and I will send you a short video with more science about neurodevelopment, neuroplasticity, and ultimately helping your child overcome their struggles. 🧠

Let’s unlock hope together 🌈