The Hierarchy of Neurological Development: The Missing Link to Your Child’s Health
Have you tried detoxes, supplements, special diets, therapies, and yet… your child is still struggling? Maybe it’s constant meltdowns, sensory sensitivities, immune challenges, or focus issues. You’ve done everything right, yet progress is slow—or nonexistent.
Here’s what most parents (and even some healthcare providers) miss: The nervous system is the master control center of everything else in the body.
If neurological function isn’t working properly, no amount of supplements, gut healing, or immune support will create lasting results. The body can’t detox, digest, or regulate when the nervous system is stuck in stress mode.
This is where the Hierarchy of Neurological Development comes in. This framework explains why some kids struggle and why neurologically-focused chiropractic care is the missing piece.
The 5 Levels of Neurological Development
Think of neurological development like a house—you have to build it from the foundation up. Each level supports the next, and if the lower levels are weak, everything above it is unstable.
This is why we see plateaus with therapies, detoxes, and other interventions—because the foundation isn’t strong.
Here’s how the nervous system is designed to develop:
1. The Brainstem & Autonomic Nervous System – The Foundation
Controls survival functions (breathing, heart rate, digestion, immune response, stress adaptation).
Fight-or-flight vs. rest-and-digest.
Birth trauma, c-sections, medical interventions, and stress can overload this system, keeping it stuck in survival mode.
What happens when this level is off?
Digestive issues (colic, reflux, constipation)
Frequent illness & immune struggles
Sensory overwhelm, anxiety, difficulty calming down
Chiropractic care resets the autonomic nervous system, shifting kids out of fight-or-flight so healing can begin.
2. Reflex Integration & Motor Development – The Next Step
Primitive reflexes are automatic movements babies are born with (sucking, grasping, Moro reflex).
They should disappear (integrate) as the nervous system matures.
If they don’t, the brainstem stays stuck in stress mode, making it hard for the body to function smoothly.
What happens when this level is off?
Poor coordination or clumsiness
Trouble with handwriting & fine motor skills
Speech & language delays
Emotional outbursts & sensory challenges
Chiropractic care removes interference, allowing reflexes to integrate properly and setting the stage for motor and cognitive growth.
3. Sensory Processing & Proprioception – Regulating Input from the World
The nervous system filters and organizes input from the body and environment.
If this system is overloaded, kids may struggle with balance, coordination, and emotional regulation.
Proprioception (body awareness) depends on clear brain-body communication.
What happens when this level is off?
Sensory processing issues (light, sound, touch sensitivities)
Difficulty sitting still or focusing
Emotional dysregulation (meltdowns, outbursts)
Poor posture & slouched sitting
Chiropractic care helps regulate sensory processing, improving focus, behavior, and movement.
4. Emotional Regulation & Limbic System – The Stress & Behavior Center
The limbic system controls emotions, behavior, and memory.
If lower levels are unstable, emotions become reactive instead of regulated.
Chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation make it hard to focus, adapt, and remain calm.
What happens when this level is off?
ADHD, focus struggles, difficulty following directions
Emotional outbursts, anxiety, mood swings
Trouble adapting to change
Sleep issues & nightmares
Chiropractic care supports emotional balance by helping the nervous system adapt to stress and regulate emotions.
5. Higher Brain Function & Learning – The Final Layer
The prefrontal cortex controls learning, executive function, and impulse control.
If earlier levels of development are off, the brain has to work overtime, making focus and learning harder.
What happens when this level is off?
Trouble with reading, writing, & comprehension
Impulsivity & difficulty following multi-step instructions
Brain fog, fatigue, and difficulty retaining information
Low motivation & emotional burnout
Chiropractic care helps regulate stress and optimize brain function, making learning easier.
Why Other Interventions Don’t Work Until the Nervous System is Restored
We see so many families who have:
Tried elimination diets for gut issues
Used detox protocols for chronic illness
Done therapy for focus & behavior
Taken all the supplements
And still… something isn’t clicking.
If neurological function is dysregulated, the body can’t properly:
Detox
Digest
Absorb nutrients
Adapt to stress
Heal
This is why kids plateau (or don’t respond at all) to other interventions. The nervous system is overloaded, stressed, and disorganized—it’s like trying to build a house on a cracked foundation.
The first step in healing is restoring neurological function so the brain and body can communicate without interference.
The Chiropractic Approach: Restoring the Foundation
Chiropractic doesn’t “treat” specific symptoms—it removes interference so the nervous system can function as it was designed.
When we adjust, we:
Activate brainstem function (calming fight-or-flight)
Help reflexes integrate properly
Improve sensory processing & proprioception
Support emotional regulation & focus
Optimize brain-body communication
This is why so many parents see improvements in digestion, sleep, immunity, and behavior after chiropractic care—because everything works better when the nervous system is balanced.
Final Thoughts: Start with the Nervous System
If your child has struggled despite your best efforts, it’s time to look at the foundation. The Hierarchy of Neurological Development shows us that brainstem function, reflex integration, and sensory processing must come first—before higher-level healing can happen.
We absolutely love holistic methods like nutrition, detoxes, functional medicine, speech and occupational therapy, and other supportive therapies. They are incredible tools for healing and growth. But we have to do them in the right order to get the most out of all of them.
If the nervous system is dysregulated, the body simply can’t fully respond to those therapies the way we want it to. When we restore neurological function first, all those other holistic methods work even better—creating lasting results instead of temporary fixes.
At Solstice Chiropractic, we are neurologically-focused pediatric chiropractors who are here to help your child thrive.
Want to learn more? Let’s assess how your child’s nervous system is functioning and build a personalized care plan. Your child’s breakthrough starts here!
