Is It Really ADHD… Or an Airway Issue?

What if the symptoms we’re calling “ADHD” are really something else entirely?

More and more children today are being diagnosed with ADHD. As a parent, the journey can feel overwhelming: constant movement, difficulty focusing, emotional outbursts, school concerns, and the pressure to medicate.

But what if the issue isn’t behavioral or neurological at its core?

What if it’s physical?

The Overlooked Connection: Airway and Attention

Here’s what many parents and even many providers  don’t know to ask:

Could your child’s struggles with focus, emotion, and energy actually be signs of an airway issue?

We’re talking about:

• Mouth breathing

• Low tongue posture

• Interrupted sleep

These aren’t just minor issues  they can directly affect the brain’s ability to regulate, focus, and stay calm.

Why the ADHD Diagnosis Isn’t Always the Full Story

Over 6 million children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with ADHD. For many, that diagnosis fits. But for others, it might be a mislabel  because no one looked at the root cause.

ADHD is a label for how the brain behaves. But how does the brain function well?

• It needs deep, restorative sleep.

• It needs oxygen.

• It needs regulation.

If your child isn’t breathing well at night  if their tongue is low, their airway is restricted, or they’re snoring or grinding  their brain never fully recharges. They’re not “misbehaving.” They’re running on empty.

The Science Behind It: How Airway Affects the Brain

Let’s get technical for a moment.

A low tongue posture can narrow the upper airway. That leads to:

• Mouth breathing

• Snoring or teeth grinding

• Light, fragmented sleep

• Decreased oxygen to the brain

This disrupts the prefrontal cortex  the part of the brain that controls attention, emotion, and decision-making.

By morning, your child may seem hyperactive, impulsive, or emotionally reactive.

But what if those behaviors are signals of exhaustion not defiance?

A Real-Life Story: Luca’s Transformation

Luca was 8 years old. Smart. Creative. Struggling.

He had already been diagnosed with ADHD and was on medication. But his mom said something that caught my attention:

He never wakes up rested. And he always chews on everything his hoodie strings, pencils, even his blanket.”

We looked deeper.

• Narrow palate

• Low tongue posture

• Chronic mouth breathing

• Sleep fragmentation

No one had checked his tongue posture before.

After introducing airway support, nasal breathing exercises, and gentle craniosacral therapy, things began to shift.

• He slept better

• He focused better

• He chewed less

The change came not from medicating symptoms  but from supporting the root cause.

Signs It Might Not Be ADHD

Here are some signs your child’s behavior might be linked to an airway or nervous system issue:

• Mouth breathing (especially at night)

• Snoring, grinding, or waking up sweaty

• Constantly chewing on clothing or objects

• Waking up tired, no matter how early bedtime was

• Avoiding chewy or textured foods

• Difficulty focusing, alongside anxiety or emotional sensitivity

If you see these signs, don’t blame yourself. And don’t rush to label your child.

Instead, ask better questions.

Better Questions to Ask Before Accepting the ADHD Label

“Behavior is the smoke. But the airway and the nervous system might be the fire.”

Before accepting an ADHD diagnosis or adjusting medication, ask:

• Has anyone checked their tongue posture?

• Are they mouth breathing at night?

• Has their airway development been assessed?

• Has anyone explored myofunctional therapy?

• Are they truly getting restful, deep sleep?

These questions can reveal what most providers miss.

It’s a tool to help you pause, reflect, and explore root causes before jumping into lifelong medication paths.

Because when we slow down and ask the right questions everything can change.

For the Parent Who Feels Dismissed

If you’ve ever heard:

• “It’s just a phase.”

• “You’re overthinking it.”

Let me say this clearly:

You’re not crazy. You’re not imagining this. You’re not alone.

Your gut is valid. Your questions matter.

You are the expert on your child  and your curiosity is powerful.

Want More Support?

www.shereewertz.com

Coming Soon: Sensitivity and the Nervous System

Next week’s topic?

“Why is my child so sensitive?”

We’ll explore how sensory sensitivity might actually be a sign of nervous system dysregulation not a disorder.

We’ll unpack how breath, body, and brain work together and what you can do to support them.

Don’t miss it.

Thanks for being here.
Thanks for being curious.
Thanks for believing that your child’s behavior isn’t a flaw  it’s a signal.

You’re not late.
You’re early.

A SHIFT changes everything.