Before You Label It ADHD… Listen to This (With Salt And Light Myofunctional Therapy) EP 154

What if your child’s sleep struggles, behavior challenges, or focus issues aren’t just behavioral—but actually rooted in how they breathe?In today’s episode, Heather sits down with Amanda of Salt and Light Therapy, a speech-language pathologist specializing in airway and oral function. Together, they unpack the powerful (and often overlooked) connection between breathing, sleep quality, behavior, and overall development in kids.From mouth breathing and restless sleep to bedwetting, picky eating, and even attention struggles—Amanda explains how these “common” issues may actually be signs of something deeper. This conversation will equip you with practical tools, red flags to watch for, and hope that there are real, root-cause solutions available.If you’re a parent who’s ever thought, “Something just feels off,” this episode is for you.
00:00 Understanding Breathing and Its Impact on Children
02:59 The Importance of Nasal Breathing
05:48 The Role of Tongue Posture in Breathing
08:34 Identifying Red Flags in Children's Sleep
11:39 Next Steps for Concerned Parents
14:25 The Connection Between Oral Habits and Breathing
19:11 The Importance of Early Weaning from Pacifiers
21:08 Strategies for Successful Thumb Sucking Cessation
22:13 The Dangers of Pouches and Sippy Cups
23:42 Understanding Tongue Ties and Speech Delays
29:45 Daily Habits for Healthy Airway Development
31:39 The Meaning Behind Salt and Light
34:05 The Weekend Reset Ritual
This show is made possible with generous donations from listeners who believe in our mission to heal a sick culture. You can support our show via:
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Links from this episode:
Salt and Light Therapy website: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopfmsL23IkPStMMC24JY1ecs_wZxbJbDhAUoP6KeUOhblISUC-q
Salt and Light Therapy Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/saltandlightspeechtherapy/
Two free resources: Breathing Matters — why nasal breathing is essential for children’s health and development and Sleep Well, Breathe Well — a practical guide to optimizing the sleep environment, including a printable bedroom checklist: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/r4opypcrq0
All books, supplements & other Amazon finds mentioned in this episode: https://amzlink.to/az02Bko8D7V84
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