Conditions
Neurodevelopmental conditions are differences in how the brain develops that show up in attention, learning, movement, communication, or sensory experience. This page covers the ones people ask us about most: ADHD, autism spectrum, sensory processing differences, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and tics. It explains what each one is, based on neutral medical sources, and where our care fits. It is general information, not a diagnosis.
These conditions are usually identified and supported by pediatricians, psychologists, teachers, and therapists. Dr. Wright is a Doctor of Chiropractic with advanced training in functional neurology. We offer support for people with attention, learning, and sensory differences, alongside their other providers. We do not replace behavioral, educational, or medical care.
If you are looking for care for a child, please call the office first so we can talk through your child's age and needs before booking.
The CDC calls ADHD one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It affects attention, impulse control, and activity level. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often continues into adulthood. The CDC describes three presentations: mainly inattentive, mainly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. For most children the best-supported approach combines behavior therapy and medication, and for children ages 4 and 5 it recommends starting with behavior therapy, especially parent training. Healthy habits such as good sleep, regular physical activity, and limited screen time can also help (CDC, reviewed July 2026).
If you or your child has trouble with attention, a medical or psychological evaluation is the place to start. Our role is to look at how the nervous system is working and to support that care, not to diagnose or treat ADHD.
The CDC describes autism spectrum disorder as a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. It often involves differences in social communication and interaction, along with restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests, and unusual reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, looks, or textures. People with autism may also learn, move, or pay attention differently, and may have sleep or eating differences, digestive issues, or anxiety (CDC). The CDC advises contacting your child's doctor if you have developmental concerns.
We do not aim to remove the difference. Our interest is in how a person's nervous system handles sensory input and stress, and in supporting that alongside their other providers.
Some people react very strongly to sound, light, touch, or texture, and others seek out extra movement or pressure. Many families and therapists use the term sensory processing disorder for these differences, though it is not a formal diagnosis in the way ADHD or autism is. We can look at how a child responds to sensory input and work alongside their pediatrician and therapists.
Sensory differences are real for the people who live with them, and they also appear with autism and ADHD. If you are considering sensory-based therapy, the AAP suggests setting a clear goal and a timeframe, and tracking progress.
Mayo Clinic describes dyslexia as a learning disorder that causes trouble reading, mainly from difficulty identifying speech sounds and linking them to letters and words. It reflects differences in the brain areas that process language and is not caused by problems with intelligence, hearing, or vision. It tends to run in families. There is no cure, but early assessment and intervention give the best outcome, and tutoring or specialized education programs help most children succeed in school (Mayo Clinic, August 2022).
If reading is well below what is expected for age, talk with your child's doctor and school. Help is worth seeking at any age.
Cleveland Clinic describes dyspraxia, also called developmental coordination disorder, as a childhood-onset condition that causes difficulty with movement skills and coordination. Signs include trouble with stairs, balance, sports, handwriting, buttons, and shoelaces. There is no single test, and a team of professionals usually reviews skills and rules out other conditions. Occupational and physical therapy help improve motor skills, and about half of children with dyspraxia also have ADHD (Cleveland Clinic, August 2022).
Occupational and physical therapy are the first steps. Where coordination, balance, and eye movement are part of the picture, we can look at those as part of an evaluation.
Mayo Clinic describes tics as sudden, brief, repetitive movements or sounds that cannot be easily controlled, such as blinking, shrugging, throat clearing, or sniffing. They often begin in childhood, can get worse with stress, anxiety, fatigue, or excitement, and many people feel an urge or tension before a tic that the tic relieves. Many childhood tics resolve on their own within weeks or months. There is no cure, but treatments exist, and many people do not need treatment when tics are not troublesome (Mayo Clinic, August 2018).
A pediatrician should see a child who has involuntary movements or sounds.
Our evaluation looks at how the nervous system is working, including eye movements, balance, coordination, and sensory responses, as described on our Neurological Exam & Evaluation page. If it makes sense, care is built around exercises designed to challenge particular parts of the nervous system, at a pace that suits the person.
No. These are lifelong differences in how the brain works, and the CDC describes behavior therapy, medication, and other supports as the main approaches. We offer support alongside that care.
No. Diagnosis comes from a medical or psychological evaluation.
Please call the office so we can talk through your child's age and needs.
Talk with your child's pediatrician. The CDC advises contacting your child's doctor with developmental concerns.
It is not a formal diagnosis in the way ADHD or autism is, though many families and therapists use the term to describe real day-to-day differences.
Brain Fog & Cognition: focus, memory, and mental clarity.
Movement Disorders: tremor, dystonia, and coordination problems.
Anxiety & Stress: anxiety and stress with a neurological side.
Next steps
If you would like a closer look at how your or your child's nervous system is working,