Join Dr. Matt Dirkse for an educational workshop for parents seeking deeper answers.
Submit your name, phone, and email using the form at the end of this page to reserve your seat today!
Limited seats available!
When: Tuesday, February 10th at 7:00 pm
Where: Health Zone Chiropractic
1207 S. Beechtree St.
Grand Haven, MI 49417
A workshop for parents seeking understanding, clarity, and hope
If you’ve landed here, chances are you’re doing everything you’ve been told to do for your child —
the appointments, the therapies, the routines —
and yet something still feels missing.
You’re not failing.
You’re not imagining things.
And you’re not alone.
Beyond the Diagnosis is a supportive, educational workshop for parents who want to understand what’s happening beneath the surface — beyond labels, behaviors, and symptom-based answers.
When Doing “All the Things” Still Isn’t Enough
Many parents feel overwhelmed after hearing:
“They’ll grow out of it.”
“This is just how it is.”
“You’re already doing everything right.”
Yet your gut tells you there’s more to the story.
This workshop gently explores how stress, regulation, and the nervous system influence behavior, learning, and development — and why challenges can persist even when you’re doing all the “right” things.
This isn’t about fixing your child.
It’s about understanding them more fully.
What You’ll Gain
You’ll leave with:
A clearer understanding of why challenges may be showing up
Insight into how regulation affects behavior, emotions, and growth
A new, compassionate lens for supporting your child long-term
Reassurance that your instincts as a parent matter
Many parents leave with a clearer understanding and renewed hope.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
There is another way to understand what your child is experiencing — one rooted in connection, compassion, and looking deeper.
Reserve your free seat by filling out the form below.
Space is limited, and we would love to save a spot for you.
Your instincts matter. If you feel there is more to your child’s story than what you’ve been told, join us in a safe space to learn, reflect, and gain understanding. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
Real Families. Real results.
James
James came into the world during a season when everything already felt uncertain, but his arrival brought hope. His pregnancy and delivery were smooth, and aside from a foot turned inward at birth, doctors reassured his parents that everything would correct itself with time.
But as months passed, his mom—an experienced Early Childhood Educator and mother of three—began noticing things that didn’t feel right. James wasn’t meeting milestones at the same pace as his peers. Concerns were often brushed aside as him simply being “a late bloomer,” but in her heart, she knew something deeper was going on.
By 18 months, James had diagnoses of club foot, central and obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic ear infections. Bracing and surgeries helped physically, but new struggles began showing up emotionally and behaviorally. Sleep was inconsistent. School days were difficult. Regulation felt impossible.
Preschool brought daily reports of dysregulation. He resisted calming support from teachers, never slept at school, and crashed in exhaustion the moment he got into the car. At home, routines revolved around preventing meltdowns. Any change, no matter how small, could send him spiraling for days.
Kindergarten proved even harder. James began hiding under tables during lessons, covering his ears, singing loudly to escape overwhelming moments, and eventually running from staff when he couldn’t cope. Watching this unfold, his mom felt heartbroken and defeated.
“I work with kids this age every day,” she thought. “How can I not help my own child?”
Medical appointments led quickly to recommendations for mood stabilizers and counseling. While willing to do whatever was necessary, something didn’t sit right. She felt there had to be another path.
That same week, she attended a workshop at Health Zone Chiropractic—the same care she had previously watched transform a student in her classroom after initial skepticism. That night, hearing how the nervous system affects regulation, sleep, and behavior, something finally clicked.
For the first time in a long time, she felt heard, validated, and hopeful.
James began care, and while they were warned about temporary regression, those early weeks were hard. Sleep worsened. Behavior intensified. But then, just as hope was starting to feel out of reach, something shifted.
One day his teacher emailed saying James had started calmly pacing at the back of the classroom or sitting near the sunlight while still participating in lessons. Instead of shutting down, he was finding ways to regulate himself and stay engaged. That’s when his mom realized they were finally turning a corner.
Soon after, the change became undeniable.
James began regulating himself. Emotional explosions became manageable moments. He no longer needed to leave the classroom. Behavior plans were phased out. He began trying new foods, talking openly, making eye contact, and expressing his thoughts and feelings. Fears that once controlled him—like going to the bathroom alone or being in the dark—began to fade.
Now, instead of dreading family outings or schedule changes, his parents are preparing for vacation with excitement instead of fear.
For the first time in years, they’re looking forward to simply making memories together.
And now, when she talks with parents who are still in those exhausting, uncertain days, James’ mom shares how powerful it can be when families find the right kind of support and finally feel hopeful again.
We are so incredibly happy for James and his entire family. Sometimes the thing we’re most skeptical about ends up being exactly what we need—once we have the information and understanding to see it clearly. We’re so grateful his mom took the step to attend our workshop and begin this journey toward healing and hope.
Flynn
Flynn’s daily struggles with constant fear and OCD about certain things from bugs to bad weather were debilitating at times. That coupled with a lot of anxiety, sensory processing disorder, sleep issues, autism-like challenges, transitions, anger, constant worry, and social-emotional delays affected his day-to-day life. But those hard days started to fade when they found the type of care that his brain and body needed!
They had tried OT, psychiatry, behavioral intervention, detoxing his body, and other natural remedies including chiropractic before making their way here to a Neurologically-Focused Pediatric chiropractor. As a last resort after scrolling Facebook, mom was intrigued how care from a pediatric chiropractor trained to heal the vagus nerve could help Flynn!
“We’ve been to several chiropractors, and none have cared so much. You all offer so much more than just basic chiropractic and we are so thankful we found you! We saw changes in 1 week!”
For 2 years, worry and fear controlled his every thought. It was debilitating to him and our entire family. He wouldn’t go outside and now he runs around the playground with his friends! His teachers have noticed a huge improvement.
All our family who interact with him say he’s a completely different kid! He laughs more, sings songs, and loves music.
He sleeps so much better and for the first time in his 8 ½ years of life is falling asleep on his own and in his own bed. He used to wake every night panicking if I wasn’t next to him and now he sleeps so soundly we have to wake him up every morning.
Flynn is happy and so much less stressed out. He used to use technology to escape and now it’s just for fun. Our holidays were the most relaxing they’ve ever been and we’ve reduced his med by 1/3.
The specific nervous system calming adjustments that Flynn was getting finally gave her the chance to get out of ‘fight or flight’ stress mode and into a more calm and regulated mode.
Mom says. “He loves coming to Health Zone Chiropractic, all the staff, he trusts you all. So awesome. My momma heart is so happy for him and our family, HAPPY TEARS! Way to go Flynn!
Shelby
Shortly after Shelby’s diagnosis with autism spectrum disorder her parents found their way to a Perfect Storm Workshop in February of 2020. They were looking for anything and everything that could help their sweet little girl.
When we first met Shelby, this little girl was in meltdown city a majority of her day and with little to no speech it was super difficult to understand what she wanted or to calm her down. Transitioning from one thing to the next was so difficult that mom had to find a sitter to take Shelby so she could do simple things like go grocery shopping.
Shelby also had an extremely difficult time falling asleep at night, mom and dad tried everything! From turning off all electronics well before bedtime, using melatonin and magnesium gummies, sticking to a rigid routine, and nothing seemed to consistently help her fall asleep. They even saw a sleep specialist and he couldn’t even provide them with any help. Shelby was eventually prescribed medication to help her sleep.
Mom said meltdowns are far and few between and she is much easier to calm down and regulate. Shelby’s speech is growing every day and mom says it’s becoming easier to communicate with her and understand what she needs. Shelby is off her prescription medication and is able to fall asleep on her own! Mom and Dad are still working on her staying asleep all night, but being able to fall asleep on her own is a HUGE WIN!
We are so proud of Shelby and all the progress she has made! We look forward to seeing this sweet little rambunctious girl grow and reach her full potential!
Sawyer
This little dude was strugging every day before he started care with us. Mom said he was anxious all the time, held grudges for days, couldn’t regulate himself at school and was so explosive at every single thing. School started to become so exhausting and stressful for everyone. Sawyer struggled to make friends and going to new places was nearly impossible.
Sawyer’s parents were at a loss for what to do for him. They had tried everything aside from medication, but nothing seemed to work. They were exhausted, stressed and felt as if they were failing him every single day.
At their second appointment, when Dr. Matt explained Sawyer’s neurological scans and connected the results to the behaviors they were likely seeing, mom was absolutely blown away! She said, “We no longer felt like we were crazy and had finally found the answer!” They were so hopeful from day one!
School is going so much better for him too! Mom says that she doesn’t get calls or texts anymore. She used to get them multiple times a day. Sawyer is a much happier kiddo now. He has turned his frown upside down and smiles so much more than he did before.
Mom said, “Coming to Healthzone changed our life, every single one of the staff made us feel welcome and like they were part of our village now. We are grateful every single day! Dr. Matt told us one day Sawyer is going to change the world, and having someone care about your child the way he does is such a breath of fresh air. He saw Sawyer for exactly who he was from day one, and that was the most reassuring feeling. We felt like we could take a deep breath, and that we were finally in the right spot to get the care Sawyer needed.”
We are so blessed that Sawyer’s parents found our office and we are able to help take care of this amazing little dude. We are so proud of you, Sawyer! Keep living life and exploring new things!
Brody
Brody started care only a few months ago and we are so impressed with his progress! When we first met Brody his nervous system was so dysregulated and stressed. He was stuck in a gas pedal, fight/flight response that caused him to defensively react to others.
Mom and dad tried many different strategies at home, but when nothing seemed to work they decided to take the medication route. There was some improvement, but he still struggled every single day in school.
Fast forward to today and this kid is making leaps and bounds at school! So much even, that his teacher took time out of her day to email us about the night and day difference that she sees in him!
Since receiving chiropractic care, I have noticed that Brody is much more in control of his body. He appears to be more at peace and way less agitated. He is able to process hard things more effectively, taking more time to work through a challenge. His patience level has increased as well. I am so grateful that his parents found this care for Brody. What a piece of freedom you have given him; to begin to feel actual peace in his own skin. I personally believe so deeply in chiropractic care, so to see with my own eyes, the change in my own student as your work meets his specific needs has been remarkable. It gives me hope for what we continue to learn about the resilience of the mind and body when all parts are working together for good.”
It was so great to hear from his teacher about how well he is now doing in school! Way to go Brody! And way to go mom and dad for taking the steps needed to help your kiddo to thrive!
Ali
Ali came to us through a perfect storm workshop promotion. Ali and her family were out of town during our Perfect Storm event, but were intrigued by what neurologically focused chiropractic care could do for Ali and reached out to schedule a new patient appointment for when they were back in town.
Ali has a dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and ASD. She is considered non-verbal, but does a lot of vocal stimming. Mom says her vocal stimming was so excessive it became a challenge to do typical things like going to a restaurant, or simply watching a movie as a family.
Mom was always trying to find answers to help her sweet girl. She would spend so many nights and countless hours researching different therapies, suppliments, diets, etc. in hopes that strategies effective for other kiddos may similarly benefit Ali. Mom says “It’s an endless rabbit hole of advice, medical studies, and personal blogs you dive into and pretty soon you get lost in this maze and don’t know where to begin.”
Mom says, “What I love about Health Zone Chiropractic is that it goes beyond the spinal adjustments and in Ali’s case looks at the health of her nervous system and addresses any imbalances that may contribute to her symptoms. The only complaint I have is to myself… for not discovering them sooner!”
Mom first realized chiropractic care was working for Ali last fall when she witnessed a moment she had been eagarly awaiting for the last 5 years. Ali said “mama” for the first time since her regression at 3 years old. Mom said, “the emotions that followed were indescribable, and my heart felt like it was overflowing.” Since then, Ali has made another remarkable stride by saying “nuh-night mama”, which mom says is a notable achievement over the past year!
Mom says, “In my opinion, combining chiropractic care alongside her therapy has played a crucial role in her progress. Ali’s teachers and technicians have observed considerable improvements in her engagement, fuctional play, ability to express her needs, and eye contact.”
We are so incredibly proud of how far Ali has come and we know this little girl has such a bright future, especially with her mama being such an amazing advocate! Way to go Ali! Keep up the amazing work!
To read more success stories click here!
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