Developmental Delays
Is your child delayed on a milestone?
Whether there is a speech delay, delay in fine or gross motor skills, learning disorder, or simply not meeting certain lifestyle or social skill milestones, we are here to help!
- Speech disorders we treat include: speech delays (receptive, expressive, articulation, and more), verbal apraxia, echolalia, and stuttering.
- Motor disorders we treat include: motor delays, dyspraxia and hypotonia.
- Learning disorders we treat include: memory processing disorders, auditory processing disorders and dyslexia.
Often, parents are given the option of occupational or speech therapy, but never told that there may be an underlying correctable factor contributing to their child’s delay.
We specialize in optimizing neurodevelopment from pregnancy, onward. This means that we search for factors that may be compromising the child’s brain development, including prenatal factors, diet, lifestyle, environmental exposures, nutrient deficiencies and more! Through a detailed history, physical exam, and testing, we aim to identify and correct imbalances that are integral to optimal neurodevelopment.
You can positively impact your child’s brain health and quality of life regardless of their age, but early intervention yields the best results!
The brain’s most crucial phase of development occurs from conception (in the womb) through the third year of life. By 3 years of age, the brain has reached 80% of its full size. It’s during this time that the brain is most active in developing new neural connections, known as synapses. Unfortunately, it’s also during this time that the brain is most susceptible to environmental influences that may negatively impact neurodevelopment.
By 5 years of age, the brain is at 90% of its adult size. From age 3-5, the brain is still very malleable and this stage presents a great opportunity to intervene and make substantial impacts.
While we emphasize early intervention, you are never “too late.” The brain continues to develop through age 22, and we still see substantial changes in language acquisition, motor abilities, cognitive function, and learning in older children and even adults.
We recognize the benefit of all therapies (occupational, speech, physical) in creating new neural connections. Our work compliments these foundational therapies by removing the obstacles and giving your child’s brain the energy it needs to perform and retain newly acquired skills.
The top imbalances we see include:
There is a well-known gut-brain axis, whereby the gut microbiome has been found to play a profound role in neurodevelopment. Birth via c-section, formula use, antibiotic use, diet, as well as other environmental toxin exposures have well known negative impacts on microbiome development, increasing the risk for overgrowth of opportunistic species. The two most common species believed to contribute to symptoms associated with autism include:
Symptoms of Yeast Overgrowth:
- Anxiety
- Rigid tendencies
- Sensory seeking behaviors- including stimming
- Super silly behaviors
- Seemling out of It or brain fog
- Cravings for starches or sweets
- Inappropriate laughter
- High pitched squealing
- Bedwetting
- Developmental Plateau
- Climbing, standing on head, and hanging upside down
- Hyperactivity
- Difficult diaper rashes
- Eczema
- Typically constipation, but may have loose stools
- Perianal or genital itching
- Persistent cradle cap
Symptoms of Yeast Clostridia:
- Emotional outbursts
- Extreme mood swings
- Rage and aggression
- Paranoia
- Repetitive behaviors
- Spinning
- Altered social interactions
- Poor concentration and focus
- Daytime fatigue
- Typically loose stools, but may be constipated
- Change in mood post antibiotic use
Mitochondrial are tiny structures within each cell of the body that are responsible for creating energy. They are often referred to as the “powerhouse” of the cell. Mitochondria are most dense within the muscle tissue and the BRAIN, and they plan an important role in neurodevelopment. It has been suggested that up to 80% of children with autism have some form of mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to a variety of neurological manifestations including:
- Developmental delay
- Unusual regressions
- Language impairment
- Low tone
- Motor delays (both fine motor and gross motor)
- Seizures
- Social impairment
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (specifically constipation)
Vitamin E has gained particular interest for treatment of verbal apraxia, especially when combined with Omega 3’s. In a subset of children with apraxia, it has been suggested that a fat malabsorption issue may be at the root of their symptoms. A study published in 2009 that looked at 187 children with verbal apraxia found that nutrient deficiencies (including Vitamin E deficiency) was quite prevalent, and this in some was associated with a gluten intolerance or celiac disorder. When treated with Vitamin E and Omegas, families reported dramatic improvements in a number of areas including speech, imitation, coordination, eye contact, behavior, and sensory issues.
The richest dietary sources of choline are meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. Choline, is a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in motor planning, complex language, attention, and memory.
DHA and EPA, the main omega 3’s work by decreasing brain inflammation and have been shown to improve learning ability. Children of mothers with higher levels of DHA have been shown to have better visual motor skills, cognitive abilities, behavior, attention, and learning. Research out of the University of Kansas, found that infants born to mothers with higher blood levels of DHA at delivery had advanced attention spans (an indicator of intelligence) well into their second year of life. The benefits of maternal intake of DHA don’t stop in pregnancy. Higher DHA levels in early life development have been associated with several brain-related positive health benefits, including: improved hand-eye coordination, better attention scores, and improved memory.
Methylation is a biochemical process whereby there is a transfer of a single carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms (referred to as a methyl group) from one substance to another in the body. This process is involved in many different key processes in the body, including, gene expression, DNA formation, cell division, detoxification, neurotransmitter synthesis, histamine breakdown, and more! Methylation is influenced by genetics, but strongly impacted by our environment and dietary intake of methylb12. Methylb12 has gained popularity given its significant impacts in the autism population, specifically in language domains. Vitamin B12 deficiency has been shown to contribute to delayed development and developmental regressions. These concerns have subsequently improved within supplementation.
Folate is a very important nutrient for brain development, and current research reveals that many children with autism have low folate in their brains. Cerebral folate deficiency can be caused by 1) folate receptor antibodies, which block folate’s ability to bind to the receptor 2) impaired mitochondrial function, which decreases the delivery of folate into the brain 3) genetic factors that impair folate transport into the cell. Symptoms of cerebral folate deficiency may include: developmental delays, sleep difficulties, gross motor issues, irritability, anxiety, lack of coordination, tics, seizures, depression, vision disturbances.
Magnesium is a common deficiency found in individuals with autism and an important cofactor in a variety of biochemical reactions within the body, including neurotransmitter regulation. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency in children often include: trouble with emotional regulation, lack of focus, stimming, echolalia, anxiety, and toe walking.
Researchers have suggested that carnitine deficiency in the brain might contribute to symptoms in a large fraction of autism. Carnitine is derived primarily from animal food sources, of which many children with autism are deficient. Carnitine may impact neurodevelopment in a variety of ways, as it plays an important role in energy production within the mitochondria, inflammation modulation, neuroprotection against environmental insults, chelation of heavy metals, and neurotransmitter regulation.
The brain has the highest concentration of cholesterol in the body, and there is a well established relationship between cholesterol levels and brain function. Within the brain, cholesterol has four main functions:
- Acts as an antioxidant: sequestering free radicals to reduce damage
- Insulation: the highest amount of cholesterol in the brain is found in the myelin sheath, the covering that wraps and protects each nerve cell.
- Barrier: cholesterol forms part of the cell membrane, giving the cell structure and controlling what passes in an out of the cell (including toxins).
- Firing of Neurotransmitters: Cholesterol plays a role in ensuring appropriate firing of neurotransmitters at the nerve cell synapse.
Many believe that autism should be categorized as an immune system disorder. Research involving postmortem brains show elevated inflammatory molecules and activated immune cells within the brains of individuals with autism. Furthermore, some of the most promising research surrounding potential autism triggers is immune activation or inflammation experienced in utero. It is believed that maternal immune activation induces a pro-inflammatory state within the fetal brain, increasing susceptibility to future triggers experienced in early life.
There has been a dramatic increase in unregulated toxins within our environment over the last four decades. Young children are more susceptible to environmental toxins compared to adults because they breathe more air, and consume more food relative to their body size. Additionally, mother’s pass the majority of their toxins onto their fetus in utero and their infant through breastfeeding. A variety of environmental toxins have been found to have profound impacts on brain development, including: organophopshate pesticides, BPA, Phthalates, anesthesia agents (including nitric oxide), heavy metals, fluoride, air pollution, mycotoxins from mold, and certain medications used in pregnancy, including acetaminophen.
It’s important to Remember…
Every child is on their own unique path of development. Milestones ignore the child’s journey. Development is not a race, it’s a process. If your child is delayed, it’s easy to get caught up in the end point and miss the little (and beautiful) steps along the way. Some children will progress further in one area FIRST, before their brain is able to focus on a new milestone. For instance, some children will master motor development prior to language (or vice versa). Ultimately, my tip to all parents is to not let the missed milestones detract from admiring all the ways your child is blooming each and every day.
Hi, I’m Dr. Ari Calhoun, a perinatal and pediatric Naturopathic Doctor and mother of two. Upon becoming a mother, I realized just how susceptible our children’s brains are to environmental factors, including toxins, microbiome alterations, immune activation, nutrient imbalances, and more. More than that, I realized how much heartbreak and stress brain based disorders can cause for both the child and family. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to identify, prevent, and heal the underlying causes of neurodevelopment and mental health disorders in our children.
Check Out This Story!
“I had been pushed off by our pediatrician when it came to my concerns over my son’s obvious neurological issues. I wanted to get to the root cause as quickly as possible and loved that Dr. Ari had knowledge and training in understanding childhood neurodiversity.
Before working with Dr. Ari my son’s memory was very weak. We have seen improvements in this area which has led to him having a better understanding of cause and effect (a huge deal if you have a child that doesn’t even remember his own pain when he touches something hot), he can follow rules better because now he remembers what I say, his vocabulary is now at grade level and his ability to have a conversation is quickly catching up too. He has been behind in reading, but over the last year has made some amazing improvements and even his IEP case manager is thrilled with the rate he is going
The first noticeable improvement came when our son woke up one morning and gave us a really detailed and lengthy explanation of the dream he had just had. He had never even remembered a dream before! This was only a few days of him starting Synapsin.
Dr. Ari is a dream to work with. What I get out of a 30 minute apt with her is invaluable; so much more than the years of working with traditional doctors. She is humble, even when she has a deep understanding of the issue being discussed. Because of the work she has done with my son, I now go to her for the chronic issues I have lived with for over a decade. It is not something she even specializes in, but I have healed more over the couple years working with her than I had the 10 years of frantically working with others. My reserved hope when I first found her has been blown wide open and now I have the biggest hopes that my son and I can both heal is truly amazing ways with her steady guidance.”
— Jessica
Ready to understand how to best support your child in resolving symptoms and reach his potential?
We would love to work with you in uncovering and treating the root cause of your child’s developmental delay, so that your child can live each day to their fullest potential.
Looking for Support in the Meantime?
While we highly recommend working one on one with a practitioner who can help explore underlying causes and address the root cause for your child, we also tend to find that most children with developmental delays can benefit from the following supplements.