Rewiring Attention: Movement, Sensory & Brain-Based Strategies for ADHD

Sep 29, 2025

In this engaging session, Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a board-certified cognitive specialist and former chiropractor, shares her expertise on non-medication interventions for ADHD. She discusses how uneven sensory-motor development impacts attention and emotional regulation. Listeners will discover the importance of intentional movement and nutrition in enhancing cognitive function. Dr. Jackson also highlights practical activities for parents and warns about the detrimental effects of excessive screen time. Her insights pave a hopeful path for effective ADHD management!

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INSIGHT

ADHD Is A Developmental Pattern

ADHD reflects uneven development across sensory, motor, and cognitive systems, not just a frontal-lobe attention problem.
Measuring and targeting developmental gaps gives direction for lasting change rather than only treating symptoms.

ADVICE

Assess Before Applying Strategies

Measure identifiable developmental gaps before applying strategies or labels to a child.
Use targeted physical, sensory, and cognitive activities plus nutrition to build maturation and close those gaps.

INSIGHT

Attention Builds From The Body Up

Higher-level attention and executive functions are built bottom-up from multisensory and motor development.
A gap in any sensory or motor system can break attention even when intelligence and effort are intact.

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Episode Summary

A brain-based roadmap for ADHD beyond “attention.” Dr. Rebecca Jackson explains how sensory, motor, and cognitive development shape attention, executive function, and emotional regulation, and how targeted, non-medication interventions (movement, sensory input, nutrition) can build lasting change. We cover bottom-up readiness before top-down strategies, practical daily routines, and assessments that reveal measurable gaps, enabling parents to help kids thrive at school and in life.

Guest

Dr. Rebecca Jackson, brain health expert, board-certified cognitive specialist, and former chiropractor known for her work at Brain Balance, is the author of Back on Track. She focuses on how sensory-motor development underpins attention, executive function, and emotion regulation, translating neuroscience into everyday tools for families.

Episode Overview

ADHD often reflects uneven development across systems—not just lapses in focus. Dr. Jackson walks through a bottom-up approach: strengthen sensory pathways and motor control first, then layer academics and behavior strategies. You’ll learn why movement is medicine (heart-rate spikes, balance, coordination), how sensory inputs raise a child’s tolerance threshold, and what nutrition tweaks (protein-forward mornings, whole-food swaps, lower inflammation) can do. We also discuss screen use with intention and how to start with assessments that identify strengths and track progress.

What We Talk About (Highlights)

ADHD is more than attention: sensory, motor, and cognitive systems develop unevenly
Bottom-up vs. top-down: build brain readiness before piling on strategies
Movement as medicine: heart-rate spikes, balance/coordination, frequent micro-breaks
Emotional regulation: mature sensory pathways (sight, sound, touch) to raise tolerance
Nutrition basics: reduce inflammation/“brain fog,” protein-first breakfasts, whole-food swaps
Screens with intention: entertainment time can crowd out sensory-motor input
Getting started: assessments that reveal strengths and measurable developmental gaps

Resources & Links

Dr. Rebecca Jackson’s book, Back on Track: https://drrebeccajackson.com/

About Your Host

Kate Brownfield, Certified Whole Person & ADHD Parent Coach; author of How We Roll: A Parent’s Journey Raising a Child with ADHD; host of The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast. Every child with ADHD is unique—so are their strengths and struggles.
Website & coaching: ADHDKidsCanThrive.com

Free Download

Get the first 3 chapters of How We Roll free: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/On1ABRH/first3chapters

Need Support?

Schedule a free consultation: https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/appointment/

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