Montana Spine and Neurodevelopment Center

12/02/2025

Did you know students can’t learn when their nervous systems don't feel safe.

Not because they're choosing not to learn because their body won't let them. When a child's (or any human's) nervous system assesses the environment as unsafe (through neuroception—a subconscious scan for safety cues), it prioritizes survival over learning.

This is why felt safety comes FIRST:
Not curriculum.
Not behavior expectations.
✨Felt Safety✨

When students feel safe, their nervous systems can relax into ventral vagal, the state where learning, curiosity, and engagement are possible.

11/27/2025

Gobble gobble 🦃
Happy thanksgiving 🍁
May this day bless you with good foods, happy health, and abundant prosperity.

11/20/2025

Over 10,000 people in Montana live with epilepsy. These are our neighbors, friends, and family. Let’s come together and raise understanding across Big Sky Country.

Want to learn more about Epilepsy? Get free toolkits and guides on seizure first aid, navigating a new diagnosis, and more.

At epilepsy.com/montana, you can also:
Reach the 24/7 Helpline for support, info, & local referrals. Join virtual support groups and access financial help.

💜 Support, resources, and community are just a click away.

11/11/2025

11/05/2025

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and we’re shining a light on the incredible strength of those living with epilepsy, and the families and caregivers who support them.

At Montana Spine & Neurodevelopment, we believe awareness creates understanding, and understanding builds better care. This month and always, we’re committed to supporting education, reducing stigma, and walking beside every family on their journey toward health and hope.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from our team of caterpillars and butterflies! 🐛🦋 Wishing everyone a fun, safe, and spooky Halloween! 🎃👻

10/28/2025

Ever wonder why some people get overwhelmed by noise while others crave more movement and stimulation?
It’s all about sensory processing!
Check out this quick breakdown of hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity, and how each person’s sensory world is beautifully unique.

10/27/2025

🌟 Last Reminder – Don’t Miss Out! 🌟
Our next Clinical Collective coffee meet-up is happening Wednesday, October 29th, from 8:00–8:45 AM, right here at Montana Spine and Neurodevelopment.

If you’re a local healthcare provider or related business owner, this is your chance to:
Enjoy coffee and a snack on us
Connect with others who “get it”
Swap referral ideas and brainstorm care coordination

Let’s keep building this supportive network together. See you there!
Montana Spine and Neurodevelopment
📅 October 29th | 🕗 8:00–8:45 AM

10/23/2025

Finding spaces where kids can explore, play, and recharge makes all the difference. We’ve gathered a few sensory-friendly spots around the Flathead Valley that welcome every child.

Rylee’s Play Place – Kalispell
ryleesplayplace.com | (406) 291-1243
Designed specifically for children with sensory and developmental needs. Features swings, trampolines, a zip line, and monkey bars in a smaller, more controlled environment.
Tip: Call ahead for quieter hours or private play. Bring familiar comfort tools (headphones, favorite toy).

Flathead County Library – Kalispell Branch
flatheadcountylibrary.org | (406) 758-5820
A calm environment with dedicated “Sensory Play Saturday” events for children.
Tip: Visit quieter reading areas, check the calendar for sensory-friendly programs, and bring a small comfort kit.

DREAM Adaptive Recreation – Whitefish
dreamadaptive.org | (406) 885-9539
Offers adaptive outdoor recreation for individuals with physical, cognitive, and sensory challenges — including skiing, paddle sports, and cycling.
Tip: Contact them for session schedules and available supports (small groups, sensory breaks, adaptive gear).

Montana’s Great Indoors – Kalispell
mtgreatindoors.com | (406) 407-7224
An indoor play space with climbing and movement areas for children of all ages. While not specifically sensory-friendly, it provides a safe, weather-proof place to play.
Tip: Visit during off-peak hours and ask staff about quieter play zones.

Clarke’s Cubs Indoor Playspace – Kalispell
clarkescubs.com | (406) 890-4960
Indoor play area for kids 10 & under, praised by families for being welcoming to children with higher sensory needs.
Tip: Go weekday mornings for fewer crowds or ask about private play times.

Know of another sensory-friendly spot families should check out? Share it in the comments. We’d love to keep growing this list.

10/09/2025

Montana Spine & Neurodevelopment Center is excited to offer a relaxed, informative evening with Dr. Landry McIntosh, DC, IBCLC — a chiropractor and lactation consultant who focuses her practice on supporting perinatal and pediatric patients.

Together, we’ll explore:
-Why a proper latch is more than just feeding.
-How a poor latch impacts jaw, airway, and development.
-The link between mouth breathing and oral ties.
-Why these issues are becoming more common.
-How to best support your child’s airway and oral. health

Thursday, October 23 | 6–7 PM
Montana Spine & Neurodevelopment Center
Free to attend — RSVP by calling us at 406-890-2212!

Spaces are limited. No childcare provided.

10/06/2025

October is Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness Month.

For children and adults with SPD, everyday experiences, sounds, textures, lights, or movement, can feel overwhelming, uncomfortable, or completely unnoticed.

It’s not a behavior problem, it’s a neurological difference. Noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and sensory-friendly spaces aren’t “extras”; they’re essential supports that help.

Learn more at sensoryhealth.org

09/25/2025

🌿 Inhale... Exhale... 🌿
Sometimes the simplest tools are the most powerful.
Our OT, Anya Marie, always comes back to the breath — a quiet anchor in busy moments.
Deep breaths help regulate the nervous system, create space between feelings and reactions, and invite calm back in.
Whether you're five or fifty, pause and take a breath.
It always helps.