Insights.
Strategies.
Stories WORTH Sharing.

In the FOCUS Academy Blogs, we talk about the real stuff—clinical clarity, brain development, case insights, communication tips, and the behind-the-scenes moments that shape how we think and lead in practice.
Whether you’re a provider, a student, or a parent trying to understand your kid more clearly, there’s something here for you.
Short reads. Deep dives. Real takeaways you can use.



What You’ll Find In The FOCUS Academy blogs:
Brain-based insights you didn’t get in school
Communication tools to help you explain the why behind your care
Stories from inside the FOCUS community
Amy’s perspective on where the profession is going and how we grow with it
Start with the most-RECENT posts
Fewer Words and More Pictures
This might seem strange... Don't provide a LOT of written, printed material at first. This is actually creating a high demand for the patient or parent to process in a time of possibly heightened stress. Simplify your forms by using fewer words and using more icons...
Be Direct
It's always nice to have options. But from a brain-based perspective, fewer options are actually better!! These families are living in chronic stress, and decision fatigue is a REAL challenge. More options could create avoidance due to them feeling more stressed. Be...
Move Towards Simplicity and Away From Chaos
So, I see this mistake a lot... Just because we work with kids doesn't mean we need to have a lot of bright and exciting things to entertain everybody in the office. This can actually be counterproductive. Find out more in this video.
Brain Break Area/Strategy
Have you done this yet? This is an excellent tool for lowering stress! First, we need to figure out what increases stress in the individual, and then we can create a strategy and brain-break area to lower this stress.Here’s how to do this within your home and...
Discover Your Own Deflections
Whether you are a parent, or a provider working with people with behavioral, learning, or socialization challenges, we can find ourselves becoming triggered by other people's deflections. So it's important to know what things trigger a reaction within ourselves. This...
Tantrums
Let's talk about Tantrums! Tantrum doesn't mean bad kid. Awareness outside of one's self and wanting to control is part of normal development! As providers or parents, we need to maintain the boundary while ensuring the individual feels safe, loved, and connected....
Thanksgiving Survival Tips
During the Holidays, we may see an increase in neuro-deflective behaviors. You might notice bigger feelings, lots of anxiety, meltdowns, and sensory challenges. We can reduce these challenges for the kiddos when we increase their prediction and control. Dr. Amy gives...
Are You A Good Reader?
Let’s talk about you! Are you a good reader? Before you answer that, remember this might fluctuate depending on your stress level. Do you read every word? Do you remember what you read? Do you enjoy reading? Dr. Amy breaks down the Communication Hierarchy in this...
Regression vs Pulling In
Have you ever wondered about a patient, "Is this a regression?" When "all of a sudden," we see a loss of tools, we need to ask ourselves if this is a regression or a pulling-in? There are times of pulling-in during typical brain development (think about growth spurts...
ODD
Do Chiropractors treat ODD? No, absolutely not. So how do we communicate the benefits of Chiropractic in a way that makes sense? Always remember the number 1 rule: Behavior is a window into the brain. They are clues to where we are in brain development. As we move...
Time Change
Time change. Nobody likes it, and most people feel its effects. This demographic, in particular, has difficulty adapting to this change. It’s not a small thing! Find out how to survive this transition with specific suggestions for planning before the time change and...
New Challenges Are Not a Surprise
We might notice some behaviors increasing right now. Kids have been in school for a little bit, and the social and academic demands are still running high. I say it all the time: Behaviors are a window into the brain! This understanding will help us determine which...

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