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Dr. Hailey Arnold is a chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner; however, she is best described as an entrepreneur. Constantly finding solutions to problems, Dr. Arnold spends her days formulating nutritional products and genetic tests for children of all ages.
She is an active clinician, educator, public speaker, and published author. With a passion for neurosensory differences and autoimmunity, Dr. Arnold has created multiple businesses that allow children to get healthy naturally.
She believes long-term health truly starts in childhood, and she seeks to educate and empower children (and their parents) in ways that help them make the best decisions about wellness.
Dr. Hailey’s Instagram @drhailey
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
When it comes to understanding sensory challenges in children, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the complexity of it all. Autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder (SPD)—they’re often treated as separate issues.
But what if we told you that genetics and nutrition could hold the key to understanding and addressing them holistically? We sat down with Dr. Hailey Arnold, chiropractor, functional nutrition practitioner, and passionate genetics educator, to dive deep into the intersection of genetics, nutrition, and sensory processing.
While SPD isn't yet an official medical diagnosis, Dr. Arnold has seen clear patterns in the genetics of children with sensory challenges. Certain gene variations can affect how a child perceives and responds to sensory input:
COMT gene: Affects dopamine breakdown and pain tolerance. Children with specific variations may have heightened sensitivity and be sensory avoiders.
Vitamin C & Folate metabolism: Genetic predispositions here can cause deficiencies that impact brain development and neurotransmitter function.
Children with picky eating habits may already be missing key nutrients. Combine that with genetic predispositions, and you have a child more susceptible to sensory sensitivities and challenges in regulation.
Dr. Arnold emphasizes that conditions like ADHD and autism exist on a neurodivergent spectrum. These conditions often have overlapping genetic and nutritional root causes:
Folate (B9) and B12 deficiencies are common and affect dopamine and serotonin production.
Children on the spectrum often experiencegut absorption issues, making proper nutrition even more essential.
Malabsorption + genetic variations = increased risk for developmental and behavioral challenges.
Recent research suggests a link between mothers with autoimmune disorders, like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and children diagnosed with autism or ADHD.
Why?
Gluten consumption in these mothers may trigger an immune response that impacts fetal development—a process known asmolecular mimicry.
Nutritional gaps, particularly in folate and zinc, during pregnancy can increase risk.
Dr. Arnold recommends prenatal nutrition planning for both parents, emphasizing that dads contribute half the DNA and need folate too!
Do food dyes like Red #40 affect behavior? Absolutely—especially for children with variations in theHMT gene, which regulates histamine.
Histamine isn’t just for allergies—it acts as a neurotransmitter that affects mood, energy, and sleep.
Children with HMT gene variations may appear hyperactive, anxious, or irritable after consuming synthetic food dyes.
OT Tip:Swap food dyes for natural alternatives like beet juice coloring. It’s a small change that can have a big impact.
Dr. Arnold shared powerful success stories, including a child with autism who began speaking complete sentences after targeted supplementation withvitamin A and choline.
The bottom line? Genetic testing paired with functional nutrition creates a personalized care plan that addresses the root causes, not just symptoms.
Start Here:
Consider genetic testing to identify nutrient deficiencies.
Begin with small changes: adjust breakfast first, then lunch, then dinner.
If overwhelmed, focus on one food group—like removing gluten or dairy—and build from there.
As Dr. Arnold wisely said, "Health is a journey, not a destination. Give yourself the grace to make small, consistent changes and focus on long-term progress."
No parent is perfect, and that's okay. What matters is making informed, empowered choices—one step at a time.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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