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This week, we’re joined by Taylor Kruse, movement coach, educator, and founder ofKruse Elite, who specializes in applied neurology and the nervous system. Taylor works with adults to help them move, feel, and function better, but his insights are just as relevant for kids and therapists, too.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What “applied neurology” means and how it connects to movement and pain
Why visual and vestibular systems are key to body awareness and regulation
How the brainstem, eyes, and tongue all work together for posture and balance
The impact of mouth breathing and poor CO₂ tolerance on the nervous system
Practical drills for vision, vestibular activation, and improved breathing
Thanks for listening 🩷
Try one of Taylor’s breathing or visual drills and let us know how it goes!
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Many children (and adults) breathe through their mouths all day long without anyone noticing—especially during screen time, focused activities, or sleep. It doesn’t always look dramatic, and it’s rarely something parents are told to watch for unless there’s snoring or sleep apnea involved.
But from a sensory and nervous system perspective, breathing is aconstant input. When breathing patterns are inefficient or stress-based, they can quietly keep the nervous system stuck in a heightened state of alert.
For children with sensory challenges, ADHD, autism, retained primitive reflexes, or chronic regulation difficulties, mouth breathing can be a missing piece of the puzzle.
Breathing is controlled automatically by the brainstem, but it also sends constant feedback to the nervous system about safety, energy, and threat.
In general:
Nasal breathing supports a calmer, more regulated nervous system.
Mouth breathing is often associated with higher sympathetic (fight-or-flight) activation.
This doesn’t mean mouth breathing is “bad” or something to panic about. The sympathetic nervous system is essential—we need it to run, play, focus, and respond to challenges.
The problem arises when sympathetic activation becomes chronic.
When a child spends hours each day mouth breathing, their nervous system may interpret that pattern as a subtle but ongoing stress signal. Over time, this can contribute to difficulties with regulation, endurance, attention, sleep, and even pain.
Mouth breathing is commonly associated with faster, shallower breaths that rely more on the upper chest than the diaphragm.
This pattern:
Signals the body to stay “on alert”.
Makes it harder to access parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) states.
Can increase baseline tension in the neck, jaw, and shoulders.
For children who already struggle with sensory modulation or emotional regulation, this can amplify meltdowns, anxiety, and difficulty calming after stress.
While oxygen gets most of the attention, carbon dioxide (CO₂) plays a key role in how oxygen is delivered to the brain and tissues.
Chronic mouth breathing can:
Lower CO₂ tolerance.
Disrupt efficient oxygen delivery.
Increase feelings of fatigue, dizziness, or “wired but tired” energy.
From a nervous system standpoint, low CO₂ tolerance can reduce adaptability. When the body perceives low energy availability, the nervous system becomes more resistant to change—making therapy, learning, and new motor patterns harder to integrate.
Many children who mouth breathe during the day also do so at night.
Possible consequences include:
Restless sleep.
Snoring or noisy breathing.
Frequent waking.
Poor sleep quality despite “enough” hours in bed.
Sleep is when the nervous system resets. If breathing disrupts sleep, children may start each day already dysregulated, making sensory challenges feel bigger and harder to manage.
Mouth breathing isn’t always obvious. Here are some signs parents and therapists can watch for:
Lips open at rest (even slightly).
Dry lips or mouth.
Frequent sighing or audible breathing.
Forward head posture.
Fatigue during school or therapy sessions.
Difficulty with sustained attention.
Increased emotional reactivity.
Low endurance for fine motor or seated tasks.
Frequent headaches or neck tension.
Oral sensory seeking or low oral awareness.
Snoring.
Restless sleep or frequent movement.
Sweating at night.
Waking tired or irritable.
Not every child with these signs is a mouth breather—but noticing patterns can help guide next steps.
Mouth breathing is rarely just a habit.
Common underlying contributors include:
Chronic nasal congestion or allergies
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
Narrow palate or oral structure differences
Low tongue resting posture
Retained primitive reflexes
Sleep-disordered breathing
If nasal breathing feels difficult or unsafe to the nervous system, the body will default to mouth breathing—no matter how many reminders a child receives. That’s why supporting the nervous system first is so important.
These strategies are supportive, not medical treatment. They’re designed to gently encourage regulation and awareness without forcing change.
Trying to train breathing while a child is dysregulated often backfires.
Before focusing on breathing:
Useheavy work (wall pushes, animal walks, carrying).
Providedeep pressure (hugs, compression, weighted input).
Incorporateslow rhythmic movement (rocking, swinging).
Once the nervous system feels safer, nasal breathing becomes more accessible.
For younger children:
“Smell the flower” (slow nasal inhale).
“Cool the soup” (slow exhale through the mouth).
For older children:
“Can you breathe so quietly I can’t hear you?”
“Let’s see if your belly can move more than your chest.”
Keep it short—10–30 seconds is plenty.
Movement helps regulate arousal and integrate breathing more naturally.
Try:
3 slow nasal breaths → one animal walk.
3 breaths → jump, crash, or climb.
Breathing while swinging or rocking slowly.
This combination works especially well for sensory seekers.
Ideal oral rest posture includes:
Lips gently closed.
Tongue resting on the roof of the mouth.
Teeth lightly apart.
You can support this by:
Improving body posture.
Addressing jaw or neck tension.
Using oral motor play (tongue movements, blowing, chewing).
If oral posture is difficult, consider collaboration with an SLP or pediatric dentist.
Referral may be helpful if mouth breathing is persistent or impacting function.
Consider consulting:
Pediatrician – for medical screening and sleep concerns.
ENT – for tonsils, adenoids, chronic congestion.
SLP or feeding therapist – for tongue posture and oral motor skills.
Pediatric dentist or orthodontist – for airway-focused assessment.
Sleep specialist – if snoring, gasping, or significant sleep disruption is present.
Early support can make a meaningful difference in regulation, learning, and long-term health.
For children with sensory processing challenges, ADHD, autism, or retained primitive reflexes, regulation is the foundation for everything else.
When breathing patterns quietly keep the nervous system in a stressed state:
Sensory input feels more intense
Emotional regulation becomes harder
Therapy progress may feel slower or inconsistent
Addressing breathing doesn’t replace OT—it supports it.
If you’re realizing,“This might be part of what’s going on for my child,” take a breath—literally and figuratively.
Mouth breathing is common.
It’s often modifiable.
And small, consistent changes can lead to meaningful shifts over time.
You don’t need to fix everything at once. Start with awareness, support regulation first, and build from there. The nervous system thrives on safety, patience, and repetition.
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 & art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views & opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties & 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.
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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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