You know that feeling when your gut is telling you something’s not quite right… but you can’t seem to get a straight answer?
Maybe your child’s been labeled “distracted” or “impulsive.” Maybe they fidget through math, fall out of their chair during dinner, melt down over transitions, or can’t seem to finish a single task without you gently redirecting them seventeen times.
Maybe you’re tired. Tired of the constant redirection, the confused stares from teachers, the guilt of wondering if you’re missing something. Tired of Googling down rabbit holes at 3 a.m.
But deep down, something tells you: This isn’t just attention. This isn’t just behavior. There’s something else going on.
You’re not alone — and you’re not crazy for thinking, “There has to be a deeper reason my child is struggling like this.”
We hear stories like yours every single day — from moms who have tried everything, and still feel like their child is struggling and misunderstood. Children who don’t fit the typical mold, who are incredibly bright and creative but can’t seem to sit still, follow directions, or focus on anything that doesn’t light their brain on fire.
The truth is, a lot of what looks like ADHD might actually be something deeper: a nervous system that’s struggling to organize and respond to sensory input.
Before you settle for a label, let’s pause — and take a look under the surface.
Because when you understand why your child is struggling, you can finally stop spinning your wheels… and start giving them the support they really need.
Let’s talk about it. Because sometimes what looks like ADHD… is actually rooted in sensory processing.
What ADHD Really Looks Like When Sensory Processing Is Involved
Here’s the thing: ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) often travel together. And the overlap is big. But the root causes — and how we support them — can look very different.
If a child’s brain and body aren’t processing sensory input well, it can look like:
- Constant movement (because they’re seeking input to stay alert or to stay engaged)
- Tantrums or shutdowns (because they’re avoiding overwhelming input, or have already been overwhelmed by input)
- Inattention, poor memory, and poor direction-following (because their nervous system is working overtime just trying to keep up)
In these cases, it’s not that your child won’t focus. It’s that they can’t — yet. Their nervous system may be stuck in fight-or-flight, running on a stress response that makes focus and learning nearly impossible.
And here’s the part that most people miss: many of these sensory struggles are rooted in early brain development — even primitive reflexes that never integrated fully. (Remember the Fear Paralysis Reflex and the Moro Reflex we talked about in previous posts? Yeah. Those.)
So instead of asking what’s wrong with my child?, we start asking what’s going on in their nervous system?
That’s where the shift begins. That’s when reprogramming dysfunctional neural patterns starts.
What Can You Do?
Here’s the good news: You don’t have to wait for an official diagnosis to start supporting your child. There are simple, powerful ways to give your child the sensory input their body is craving — input that helps organize their nervous system and improve attention, focus, and emotional regulation.
Let’s start small. Here are three things you can do today that can make a big difference:
1. Heavy Work Every Day
Think pushing, pulling, climbing, lifting — anything that gives deep resistance to muscles and joints.
Why it works: It taps into the proprioceptive system, which helps calm and organize the brain. This is the gold standard of regulating input.
Try this:
- Have your child carry laundry, push the vacuum, or drag a loaded laundry basket.
- Do animal walks (crab walk, bear crawl) across the living room.
- Load up a backpack with a few books and go for a nature walk.
2. Move with Intention (Vestibular Input)
Movement, especially linear movement (moving up <-> down or forward <-> backward), stimulates the vestibular system — which supports balance, coordination, and alertness.
Why it works: Done in short, structured bursts, spinning can either energize or calm the nervous system — depending on what your child needs.
Try this:
- Use a playset swing, rocking chair, or small scooter board.
- Always follow vestibular with heavy work to help the brain process the input.
3. Tactile Input to “Wake Up” the Brain
Tactile input isn’t just about touch — it’s about feeling safe in your body. Many kids with ADHD-like symptoms have hidden tactile sensitivities that contribute to their dysregulation. This may cause them to struggle to be fully aware of their body.
Why it works: Gentle, consistent tactile input helps improve body awareness and can lower overall reactivity.
Try this:
- Dry-brush arms and legs using a soft surgical brush or bath brush (firm but gentle).
- Play in bins filled with rice, dry beans, or kinetic sand.
- Use a weighted lap pad or compression shirt during seated tasks.
Here’s the Most Important Part
If your child is struggling to sit still, focus, regulate, or follow directions — it’s not because they’re “bad.” It’s also not your fault, and you haven’t missed the window for change.
Sometimes, these struggles are the result of a beautiful brain that’s wired differently… a brain that just needs support in a different way.
At Sense Able Brain, we see these kids every day. The ones who’ve “fallen through the cracks,” who were labeled too quickly, or missed entirely. We’ve watched them go from disorganization and meltdowns to mastery — when they’re finally given the right support in the right order.
If you’re ready to start making sense of what’s going on in your child’s brain and body — we’re here. And we’d love to help.
~ Your SAB Team
Go here for 3 Easy Steps to Get Started With Us!