Supporting Your Child’s Natural Focus and Development

Is your child struggling with ADHD in Austin? You’re not alone. Every day, families across South Austin, Circle C, and surrounding areas watch their bright, capable children battle focus issues, hyperactivity, and behavioral challenges that traditional approaches haven’t been able to resolve. At River City Wellness, we understand the exhaustion of trying medication after medication, behavioral therapy after therapy, only to see minimal improvement. Our neurologically-focused chiropractic approach offers something different—a way to address the root neurological dysfunction that may be driving your child’s ADHD symptoms, helping them find the calm, focused state they need to thrive.

What Is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain regulates attention, impulse control, and activity levels in children. Children with ADHD often struggle to focus on tasks, sit still, or think before acting, which can impact their performance at school, home, and in social situations.

The condition affects approximately 6-9% of children and typically appears before age 12. ADHD symptoms fall into three main categories: inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

While ADHD is commonly managed with medication and behavioral therapy, these approaches often focus on symptom management rather than addressing the underlying neurological dysfunction. Understanding the root cause of ADHD opens the door to more comprehensive treatment options that support your child’s nervous system development.

Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Children

Recognizing ADHD symptoms early can help your child get the support they need. Many parents notice these signs before their child’s teacher or pediatrician brings up concerns:

• Difficulty focusing on homework or tasks for age-appropriate periods
• Constantly fidgeting, squirming, or unable to sit still
• Interrupting conversations or blurting out answers before questions are finished
• Losing or forgetting school supplies, homework, or personal items frequently
• Difficulty following multi-step instructions or completing chores
• Appearing to daydream or “zone out” during conversations
• Trouble waiting their turn in games or group activities
• Sleep difficulties, including trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• Emotional outbursts that seem disproportionate to the situation
• Physical clumsiness or poor coordination

What Causes ADHD? (The Root Cause)

Understanding what causes ADHD in children requires looking beyond genetics and brain chemistry to examine the nervous system’s development. At River City Wellness, we often see what we call the “Perfect Storm”—a combination of birth trauma, environmental stressors, and spinal subluxations that create neurological dysfunction.

Many children with ADHD experienced some form of birth trauma, whether from a difficult delivery, C-section, or other intervention that placed stress on their developing nervous system. This early trauma can create subluxations in the upper cervical spine, affecting how the brain and body communicate.

When subluxations interfere with nervous system function, the child’s system often becomes stuck in a state of sympathetic dominance—essentially living in “fight or flight” mode. This creates the hypervigilance, impulsivity, and inability to calm down that characterizes ADHD behavior.

The vagus nerve, which helps regulate our “rest and digest” responses, often becomes dysfunctional in this process. Without proper vagus nerve function, children struggle to self-regulate, focus, and maintain emotional balance. This neurological cascade creates the symptoms we label as ADHD, but addressing the root cause through neurologically-focused chiropractic care may help restore proper nervous system function.

How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Helps ADHD

When families search for an “ADHD chiropractor Austin,” they’re looking for an approach that addresses the neurological foundation of their child’s challenges. At River City Wellness, Dr. Peter Martinez and Dr. Sean Forbes use advanced INSiGHT scanning technology to objectively measure how your child’s nervous system is functioning.

Our neurologically-focused approach identifies areas where subluxations are interfering with proper nerve communication. Through gentle, specific pediatric adjustments, we work to remove these interferences and support the nervous system’s natural ability to heal and develop properly.

Research suggests that chiropractic care may help support vagus nerve function and promote neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. Many families in our practice notice improvements in their child’s ability to focus, regulate emotions, and engage more calmly with their environment as nervous system function improves.

Children with ADHD often present with multiple related challenges. Our comprehensive approach addresses not just attention issues, but commonly associated conditions including Anxiety, Sensory Processing disorders, Behavioral Issues, and Sleep Issues. By supporting overall nervous system function, we help create the foundation for your child’s optimal development.

Our experience shows that when the nervous system functions optimally, children often demonstrate improved self-regulation, better sleep patterns, and enhanced ability to focus and learn. While we cannot guarantee specific outcomes, we’re committed to providing the highest quality neurologically-focused care for your child.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

We understand that bringing your child to a new healthcare provider can feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve tried so many approaches before. At our South Austin office, serving families from Circle C, Sunset Valley, Oak Hill, Barton Creek, and Manchaca, we create a welcoming, judgment-free environment where you can share your child’s story.

Your child’s first visit begins with a comprehensive consultation where Dr. Martinez or Dr. Forbes will listen carefully to your concerns and your child’s health history. We then perform our state-of-the-art INSiGHT neurological scans, which are completely painless and provide objective measurements of how your child’s nervous system is functioning.

During the report of findings visit, we’ll review the scan results with you and explain how any neurological dysfunction might be contributing to your child’s ADHD symptoms. If care is recommended, we’ll create a customized treatment plan designed specifically for your child’s needs and nervous system development.

Throughout the process, we maintain open communication and regularly reassess your child’s progress using objective measurements. Our goal is to partner with your family in supporting your child’s optimal neurological development and overall wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD

Is chiropractic safe for children with ADHD?

Yes, neurologically-focused chiropractic care is extremely safe for children. Our pediatric-trained doctors use gentle, specific adjustments appropriate for your child’s age and development. The techniques we use are much lighter than traditional chiropractic methods, often feeling like a light touch or gentle pressure to the child.

How long until we see improvements in our child’s ADHD symptoms?

Every child responds differently to neurologically-focused chiropractic care. Some families notice subtle changes within the first few weeks, such as improved sleep or less emotional volatility. Significant improvements in focus and behavior typically develop over 2-3 months of consistent care as the nervous system heals and develops new patterns.

Does insurance cover chiropractic care for ADHD?

Many insurance plans provide coverage for chiropractic care, though coverage varies by plan. Our team will verify your benefits and help you understand your coverage options. We also offer flexible payment plans to make care accessible for families who want to pursue this approach for their child.

At what age can children start neurologically-focused chiropractic care?

Children can safely receive neurologically-focused chiropractic care from birth through adolescence. Our doctors are specially trained in pediatric techniques and adjust their approach based on your child’s age, size, and specific needs. We see infants as young as a few days old through teenagers.

Can my child continue their ADHD medication while receiving chiropractic care?

Absolutely. We work as part of your child’s healthcare team and never recommend discontinuing prescribed medications. Many families find that as their child’s nervous system function improves through chiropractic care, they can work with their prescribing physician to evaluate medication needs over time.

How is this different from traditional behavioral therapy or tutoring?

While behavioral therapy and educational support address symptoms and coping strategies, neurologically-focused chiropractic care addresses the underlying nervous system dysfunction that may be causing ADHD symptoms. Think of it as working on the foundation rather than just managing the structure above it. Many families find the approaches complement each other beautifully.

Take the Next Step for Your Child

You’ve researched, worried, and tried multiple approaches to help your child with ADHD. You know there has to be something more than just managing symptoms—you want to help your child truly thrive. Families throughout South Austin have discovered that addressing the neurological foundation of ADHD can open doors they didn’t know existed.

At River City Wellness, we’re committed to providing hope and results for families who have been told “this is just how your child is.” Dr. Peter Martinez and Dr. Sean Forbes combine advanced technology with gentle, precise care to support your child’s optimal nervous system development.

You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Take the first step toward understanding your child’s neurological health by calling (737) 348-0141 or booking online. Your child’s potential is waiting to be unlocked.