Dr. Ryan Cedermark

06/13/2026

06/12/2026

The Upstairs Brain vs. The Downstairs Brain

Many parents, teachers, and even adults expect the “thinking brain” to solve every problem.

But the reality is this:

The upstairs brain (cortex) is responsible for:

✔️ Thinking
✔️ Reasoning
✔️ Planning
✔️ Problem Solving

The downstairs brain (brainstem, cerebellum, and deeper networks) is responsible for:

✔️ Safety
✔️ Sensory Processing
✔️ Automatic Regulation
✔️ Reactivity & Survival

When the downstairs brain doesn’t feel safe, the upstairs brain has a hard time doing its job.

This is why a child may:
• Know the answer but can’t focus
• Be intelligent but struggle in school
• Have difficulty controlling emotions
• Melt down when overwhelmed
• Seem inattentive despite trying their best

Higher-level skills are built on lower-level stability.

Before we ask the brain to learn, reason, and plan, we must make sure the systems responsible for regulation, sensory processing, movement, and safety are working efficiently.

Think of it like building a house:
A strong roof requires a strong foundation.

In functional neurology, we often start by supporting the “downstairs brain” so the “upstairs brain” can perform at its best.

06/11/2026

Grateful Carley’s family made the trip up last week for a few days!

Every time she comes back her voice gets stronger and stronger. She is such a busy, fun and intelligent kid with kindest and most caring parents and big sis.

Give Carley some love in the comments!

06/10/2026

The brain develops from the bottom up.

Before higher-level skills like attention, learning, emotional regulation, and executive function can thrive, the brain needs a strong foundation of sensory processing and integration.

The Sensory Pyramid reminds us that movement, balance, body awareness, and sensory input are not just childhood milestones—they are the foundation upon which all higher brain functions are built.

When the lower levels of the pyramid are underdeveloped or inefficient, the brain often has to work harder to accomplish tasks that should be automatic.

In functional neurology, we recognize that improving brain function often starts by strengthening these foundational systems first. Better sensory processing creates better movement. Better movement creates better learning. Better learning creates better performance.

Higher function depends on lower stability

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

Day 1 VS day 5! Neurosolution Center of Atlanta with Dr. Ryan Cedermark!!! The pictures don’t lie and you can’t deny results that you already can see !! I will say I was a little skeptical. At first I knew we would get gains, but I didn’t know it would be this quick.!! so thankful that we found this amazing team that started out as therapist and wound up being family!!

06/04/2026

Going to miss Dino Stomping with my buddy Tucker from Texas!

It was been such a fun week!!!