Dr Lauren Keller, DC

01/13/2026

Nerd level 🤓🤓🤓
If you want a 12-minute, semi-deep dive into the neuroscience of why Neurodivergent people (autistic, ADHD) oftentimes have difficulty with constipation, potty training, encoporesis (f***l smearing), and incontinence (urinary leaking), this one is for you. It's definitely for my information- loving people. If you're not a WHY person, you might want to skip this one...unless you need a little help with going to bed.

Full disclaimer, this is probably one of the nerdiest posts I have ever written, but I think it's important for more people to understand. If you're in Neurodivergent support groups, you've probably seen: “My child refuses to potty train” “My child won't p*e/p**p on the toilet” “They don't...

01/10/2026

I'm so excited for NEXT Saturday's Open House with Bloom Her Path and Wholehearted Path Counseling!!

I wanted to invite you to come out, enjoy light refreshments, play with some poo-dough (that smells like Gingerbread), ask any questions you might have and just get to know all of us.

💥Saturday, January 17th
💥10:30AM-2:30PM
💥3833 S Staples N114 Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (we're the pink top/blue bottom buildings near Natural Grocers...as you pull into the parking lot there are two buildings and we are on the RIGHT side).

I can't wait to meet you!

01/05/2026

Somehow I forgot to share this one....a break down of gross developmental milestones! This blog includes normal milestones, signs you should talk to your provider about development and how to support your little one based on their age.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “is your child hitting all of their milestones?” and thought to yourself, “Sure. I don't actually know what the milestones are, but I think they're hitting them.” You're not alone. I see a lot of Moms (and Dads) that aren't sure whether or not their child is h...

01/01/2026

Join us for an Open House!

We’re excited to welcome the community to meet three amazing local providers dedicated to supporting women and families through collaborative & holistic care.

📅 Saturday, January 17th
⏰ 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
📍 3833 S. Staples St. N114, Corpus Christi, TX 78411

Come meet:
• Christine Hernandez & Haydee Medrano from Bloom Her Path (OTR, CBS) - Pelvic Floor & Infant Feeding Therapy
• Jacklyn Rodriguez from Wholehearted Path Counseling (LPC, PMH-C)- Perinatal Mental Health & Trauma-Focused Therapy
• Dr. Lauren Keller, Chiropractor - Pelvic Floor & Acupuncture

Whether you’re navigating pregnancy & postpartum, pelvic health, mental health, or looking for support for your growing family, we’d love to connect with you. Stop by to tour our clinic, ask questions, learn about our services, and discover how we can partner with you on your wellness journey.

We will also have light refreshments, giveaways, and joining us as a vendor 🌱

We can’t wait to meet you! 💚

12/17/2025

🎁GIVE A LITTLE, GET A LOT🎁

Get our 20-workout program with ANY donation to Esperanza de Tejas, Inc. Christmas of Hope!

Donate➡️ https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/christmas-of-hope--2025

🎄Your support will help provide:
• Christmas gifts for children ages 0 to 10
• Gift cards for youth ages 11 to 18
• Hygiene items, clothing, blankets
• A book station and a stocking station
• Hot Cocoa and marshmallow station
• Pictures with Santa
• Food bags for families
• A safe and joyful night filled with love and community

🎄Christmas of Hope
🗓️Friday, December 19
🕕6 PM to 9 PM
📍417 S Upper Broadway, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
📱esperanzadetejas.org

12/14/2025

There are three "parenting" books I frequently find myself recommending. Mona Delahooke's Brain-Body Parenting is one of them. 💗

When we shift from asking "How do I stop this behavior?" to "What is my child's body trying to tell me?" everything changes. Behaviors are messages from a child's nervous system about their experience in the world.
Think of challenging behaviors as the tip of the iceberg. What we see on the surface is a hint of what's happening beneath: the physical sensations, stress responses, and individual differences that shape how our children experience each moment.
This week, try approaching one challenging moment with curiosity instead of correction. What might your child's body be communicating?

12/11/2025

There's two types of people when it comes to giving directions.

First, the amazing ladies at Bloom Her Path made this video to help people find their way to the new office space. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSIQdpijRDd/?igsh=MTA1cnd2bGw5MTdyYQ==

And then you have me: "We're in one of the bright pink buildings by Natural Grocers." And then I break out in song 🎶"to the right, right, we're in the building to the right"🎶

Follow them for solid directions and me for off-tune musicals mimicking life. 🤣

12/11/2025

I was planning on putting all resources together and I realized that it was a lot. So here are some YouTube videos that you may find helpful for your little ones.

• Poo goes to Pooland: this is a video that helps to normalize p**p. It is great for "why" kids and helps kids connect different feelings with what they mean. https://youtu.be/gqrnhwLFUuw?si=Q88wWEzSlI17HUbe

• The Story of Poo: this one takes a look at treatment plants and mostly focuses on what happens to p**p after it goes down the drain. It helps to normalize p**p being a good thing. The one downfall is that if you have a little kid, it's a bit too much information for some. https://youtu.be/ar6LzXGGqYE?si=O-qakRSylCbiDPe2

• A History of Toilets: where are my nerdy kids that love facts 🤓 This one is quite literally a TEDTalk on how toilets came about. It's not for everyone but some kids would love to know how toilets came about. https://youtu.be/0dYk99S98Jc?si=kTgwUx_GKfTn2uzy

• Poo Poo! It's okay to P**p: Honestly, this one is kind of obnoxious and definitely NOT a video I'd recommend right away. BUT if a child is struggling with being embarrassed because they have to p**p, it can help normalize bowel movements. https://youtu.be/__3BKNb_zxw?feature=shared

• Baby Shark- Don't Hold It In: This one is also a video I wouldn't jump to right away, but if a child is withholding it has a funny song that may be helpful. https://youtu.be/TxAUDBZc5bA?si=-zOhHZqOAP4uONKT

• I Can't. I Won't. No Way: This is a read aloud to the book of the same title. This book/video is actually the first one I would recommend for a child struggling with withholding. https://youtu.be/wPOKPiBs3Zs?si=zvh6Zt-NKPRGi-Dr

• Everyone Poos: This is a cute book that goes through different animals and their p**ps. It isn't directly for potty training, but is cute to normalize p**p. https://youtu.be/-jkEiFraVRk?si=CEfOlpPitHe7IYdv

Potty Training
• Peppa Pig: https://youtu.be/B8a8PkPuTvo?si=Y6Gpf9ME9PlzigzH

• Ms Rachel: https://youtu.be/qXKsou9UmfY?feature=shared

• Pirate Pete's: https://youtu.be/aoNoB9Lj5UE?si=l9D3qn0meb2Cl_4p

• How to Potty Train a Dinosaur: This one walks through Potty training a dinosaur - from accidents and transitions to making sure you wipe. It doesn't have a lot of details but it is a cute way to normalize potty training https://youtu.be/fuWcCDwdDhA?si=Y3YIjPHVIi9fv-6G

• Everybody Goes Poo: This is probably my favorite "silly p**p song". It is a lot of stimulation, but may be helpful for kids who like to be silly as the song can be sang at home easily. It reminds me a lot of Legally Blonde's "bend and snap" but for going to the potty. https://youtu.be/9Bqz9m_ahmo?feature=shared

• I'm a Potty Pirate: This is another music video but the lyrics are a lot more in depth so you probably won't sing it all the way through but it does highlight transitioning from diapers to underwear. https://youtu.be/7pLR5w3eh7s?feature=shared

2020 NHS ltd.

12/10/2025

In addition to the external senses we all know (sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch), we also have three INTERNAL sensors. We have vestibular which tells us where our head is in space...it's like a 3d level that connects the body and brain. Next, we have proprioception which tells us where our body is in space. It's what keeps us from running into countertops and tripping over inanimate objects. Finally we have interoception, it's our internal system gauge. It's like the gas meter for p*eing, p**ping, eating, temperature, and even registering pain. All of these tend to slightly overlap as they all aspects communicate with each other.

🎠VESTIBULAR🎠
This is the child that may struggle to sit still on the toilet ti the point they fall off the toilet seat. Depending on if they sense too much or too little, they may either have difficulty climbing a step stool to reach the toilet out of fear or because they are doing an interpretive dance on the stool. They may also do okay on a low toilet but dislike taller toilets or heights in general.

🎡VESTIBULAR SUPPORT🎡
If your child avoids high places, including the toilet, they may be okay with a smaller toilet that is placed on the floor. If your toilet seat wobbles this can cause dysregulation. They may also struggle with hand-eye coordination and need additional support with wiping. If they are constantly on the go then you might notice they improve with planned wiggles, swinging, spinning and hanging upside down in between restroom times. Tummy time (coloring on stomach or playing games) can help kids feel more grounded.

🪨PROPRIOCEPTION🪨
This child may also be a wiggle worm on the toilet, struggling to sit still without leaning forward on themselves or leaning back for more support. A child that needs more proprioceptive support may not fully p*e or p**p because they are always on the go. They may also struggle with the physical act of getting dressed or wiping. You might also notice they are "picky" or struggle with some clothes and are fine with others.

🏋‍♀️PROPRIOCEPTIVE SUPPORT🏋‍♀️
If your child looks like they are going to wiggle off of the toilet, they may benefit from increased support. You can try having them sit backwards so they can support themselves on the toilet tank, grab a pillow or stuffed animal to hold, or make sure they strong foot support so they can sit. Since proprioceptive seekers often struggle to slow down, you can give them something to focus on while using the restroom...this could be bubbles, a pinwheel or something heavy to play with.

🔮INTEROCEPTION🔮
Children with interoceptive needs often struggle with potty training or making it to the toilet. This is because they do not feel the urge to p*e or p**p and may experience a lot of leaks because they "wait until the last minute" to go to the bathroom. They may not fully p*e or p**p and frequently need to use the restroom. A child in need of interoceptive support may frequently mention stomach pains or headaches or may be "super tough" and seem to never feel pain. This may also be a "super emotional" child or a child that gets angry whenever you ask if they need to p*e or p**p.

🎱INTEROCEPTIVE SUPPORT🎱
Realistically, this one needs the most support in my opinion. A lot of kids struggle with not only feeling sensations but also having enough executive functioning skills to connect what the sensation is to what it means to what they need to do because of it. One of the most helpful things you can do is label what you see, rather than what you think. Is the child doing the potty dance or squeezing their butt cheeks or hiding behind the couch and making a funny face? If so, instead of telling them to use the restroom, you can highlight what action they are doing and ask, "what do you think your body is asking you?" This helps them connect their actions and sensations with what it means and how they need to respond (ie. Lower tummy pressure tells me my bladder is full so I need to p*e). If your child gets "angry" or seems to laugh at accidents, it may actually be embarrassment, feeling powerless or ashamed. One of the best things you can do is normalize the bathroom. There are a ton of books and online videos that can help normalize bathroom habits to ease those emotions (I'll post those next).

If you feel like your child needs more support in any of these areas or you're not sure where to start, I'm here to help.

12/09/2025

First, I want to highlight that 100 people could walk into the same bathroom and notice different things. Some might easily recall the wall color, others the toilet location and others might focus on the overall smell or sound. Kids are no different. If your child says something in the bathroom bothers them, it's a great idea to listen to them. Just as one person might feel calm and welcomed by a wallpaper, someone else might feel like the wallpaper is collapsing in on them. So without further ado, let's look at possible EXTERNAL causes of stress that may show up in the bathroom or with potty training.

👃SMELLS👃 Most people can immediately recognize that the smell of p**p can be overwhelming. But there are a lot of smells that can compete in most bathrooms. From the smell of poo-pourri, to different soaps, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and body washes to the smell of cleaning supplies...the bathroom can be a lot to someone with a sensitive nose.

✨️Smell support✨️ If this sounds like your child, you might talk to them about what smells they do like. Maybe this is a change of cleaning supplies or using the same smelling shampoo/conditioner. Maybe this means getting rid of p**p spray and letting it go all natural. Or maybe it's getting a specific smell that your child does enjoy and having that easily accessible.

🧐VISUALS🧐 Bathrooms can be scary for a lot of kids because they can be seen as extreme-- from bright lights that make them feel like a Broadway star to complete darkness where they need to know exactly where the light switch is located so they don't run into things. A lot of people also don't like looking at their p*e/p**p so simply going to the restroom and having to see it causes stress. Then there's toilet brushes and plungers that are usually tucked in the corner. When it comes to public restrooms, we have cramped spaces with bright lights and usually space under the stalls that keep you on edge because *everyone* knows what you're doing.

✨️Visual supports✨️
If the lights are overwhelming, you can use light covers for fluorescent lights. If you have multiple lightbulbs, you can unscrew a few so the room is dimmer. You may also look into light switches outside the door so a child doesn't have to enter a dark room (but caution if they have siblings because they may find it hilarious to turn the lights off while they shower). If you have the option, light dimmers or lamps (they now make rechargeable lamps you can stick to the wall) may also help. If your child struggles in public, sunglasses inside are another option.

🙉NOISES🙉
Bathrooms can be bloody loud. From auto flushers and hand dryers to ventilation fans and the sound of electricity running through the walls, bathrooms can be loud.

✨️Noise support✨️
Sometimes all your child needs is to cover their ears and they will feel better. Sometimes they need noise canceling headphones or a sweater over their ears. Some kids need fans turned off so they can relax enough to go. Oftentimes kids need toilet paper or sticky notes over auto flusher sensors so they don't have to worry about surprise flushes.

🖐TOUCH🖐
This is a frequently overlooked, but common cause of dysregulation for kids. Let's start with my least favorite- cold toilet seats! Next, we have scratchy toilet paper and paper towels or a sink that shoots water out so fast it might as well be a hot tub jet. Two of the most commonly overlooked things are the transition from diapers/pull-ups to underwear and the physical sensation of having a bowel movement.

✨️Touch Support✨️
Sometimes a padded toilet seat or a toilet seat warmer can make a world of difference when it comes to comfort on the toilet. Toilet paper takes some experimenting, but if your child has tolerated wipes up until this point, you can still use wipes after potty training! For paper towels, a towel can be helpful but some kids don't like the feel of microfiber or cotton so you may need to figure the right towel for your child. For underwear, figure out what's comfy for your child...maybe it's cotton, maybe it's padded, maybe it's elastic. Each child is different so you have to find what works for them. For sinks that are too strong, you can buy attachments to redistribute water to slow it down or if you're in public you can stick your hand under the water while your child washes their hands. For the sensation of bowel movements, sometimes a bidet while they go or blowing bubbles as a distraction (and pelvic floor relaxer) can help your child go.

12/08/2025

Serious question for adults....Let's pretend you ran into the same bed post 3 days in a row and stubbed your toe each time. Would you avoid the bed post or keep running into it?

I know this sounds extreme, but that's frequently what happens when a child is withholding. They aren't "refusing" to use the restroom out of spite, they are keeping themselves safe from a previously painful experience.

They have learned that bathrooms can be loud, have unexpected noises, the water might splash on their butt, they might hear the plop of their p**p hitting the toilet water (and think, "did that just come out of me? Am I going to go into the toilet too), they might smell p**p or whatever scent someone doused the whole room with to try and hide the fact they p**ped. But wait, if others are ashamed of p**ping, should they be ashamed too? Or maybe they had the stomach flu and their bowel movements felt like burning lava flowing out and they do not want to repeat that sensation. Or maybe they are dehydrated from that flu and now it feels like low grit sand paper as it slowly scrapes their re**um. Either way, they've learned that p**ping = pain.

When we work with kids that are withholding, it's important to look at the whole picture...we first have to make sure that having a bowel movement isn't painful and then we can transition and work on where those bowel movements happen. Our priority is always to make sure the child feels safe having a bowel movement and being in the restroom. Only then can we truly work on withholding.

12/05/2025

In case you're wondering what my 4 year old's favorite toys are right now...it's empty toilet paper rolls, rubber bands and used paint sticks he stole from his biggest sister. The toilet paper rolls are his trees and the paint stick is his tree house.

And this is just your friendly reminder that even if you can't or don't want to buy the big, flashy, expensive toys, your kids can still have a magical Christmas with something as simple of toilet paper rolls.