Podcasts · Kids & Family · Health & Fitness

Dysregulated Kids: Science-Backed Parenting Help for Behavior, Anxiety, ADHD and More

Dr. Roseann Capanna Hodge

300 episodes

Are you tired of the daily battles, the problems with listening and focus, meltdowns over minor frustrations, and the constant feeling of walking on eggshells in your own home? If you're a parent who feels overwhelmed, stuck in a cycle of reactivity, and utterly exhausted from trying to manage your child's challenging behaviors, you are not alone. You've tried everything—the sticker charts, the timeouts, the endless negotiations—but nothing creates lasting change. The answer isn't more discipline. The secret is understanding the brain. Welcome to Dysregulated Kids: Science-Backed Parenting Help, the podcast that is revolutionizing the way we parent.

More about the show

Hosted by Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, a licensed therapist, school psychologist and author with over 30 years of experience in children's mental health and recognized by Forbes as a thought leader in children's mental health, this podcast is your lifeline. Dr. Roseann pulls back the curtain on why your child or teen is struggling, whether they have a clinical diagnosis like ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, OCD, Depression, Dyslexia, Executive Functioning challenges, Lyme, or PANS/PANDAS, or are simply navigating the ups and downs of everyday life.Her revolutionary Regulation First Parenting™ approach teaches that calming the nervous system is the first step before you can connect, teach, or help your child learn.

In short, actionable episodes, Dr. Roseann gives you proven tools like the CALMS Protocol™, quick nervous system reset tools and co-regulation strategies to move your child (and yourself!) from stress and reactivity to calm, connection, and resilience. You'll learn what to say and do to de-escalate meltdowns in the moment, how to build your child's emotional regulation skills, and how to improve their executive functioning and attention so they can succeed at home, at school, and in life.

Imagine shifting your entire perspective from seeing "defiance" to understanding "dysregulation." Picture yourself feeling confident and equipped, knowing exactly how to respond in those tough parenting moments. This is the transformation that awaits you. Parents discover how to break free from the reactivity cycle and build a more connected, joyful family—going from helpless and frustrated to empowered and hopeful.

Here's what you can expect from Dysregulated Kids: Real Solutions for Real Problems – Whether you're dealing with ADHD, anxiety, sensory overload, meltdowns, or everyday struggles, Dr. Roseann brings strategies that actually work.

Science-Backed Parenting Tools – Learn how to understand your child's nervous system and apply research-driven calming strategies to create a peaceful, happy home.

Practical Advice You Can Use Today – Each episode delivers focused, actionable content without the fluff—just pure wisdom you can apply to your family right away.

Empowerment and Hope – Dr. Roseann blends expert knowledge with deep empathy for the challenges parents face, helping you feel confident that you can…

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. What If Your Child’s Diagnosis Isn’t the Whole Story? | Regulation First Parenting® | E455

    · 15 min · Episode 455

    What if your child’s diagnosis isn’t the whole story? Discover how nervous system dysregulation can affect behavior, attention, and anxiety. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, an expert in Regulation First Parenting™ and…

  2. Why Correcting Your Child in the Heat of the Moment Backfires | Regulation First Parenting® | E454

    · 13 min · Episode 454

    Why Correcting Your Child in the Heat of the Moment Backfires comes down to timing. Learn how to hold boundaries without escalating meltdowns. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, an expert in Regulation First Parenting™ and…

  3. Stop Collecting Parenting Tips. Do This Instead. | Regulation First Parenting® | E453

    · 14 min · Episode 453

    When parenting advice starts to feel overwhelming, it may be time to stop collecting parenting tips and focus on what matters first. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, an expert in Regulation First Parenting™ and childhood…

  4. Why “We’ve Tried Everything” Is a Signal to Simplify, Not Try Harder | Regulation First Parenting® | E452

    · 12 min · Episode 452

    When “Why ‘We’ve Tried Everything’ Is a Signal to Simplify” becomes your reality, the answer may be less, not more. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, expert in Regulation First Parenting™ and childhood emotional…

  5. Why Your Child Can Handle It One Day and Completely Lose It the Next | Nervous System Regulation | E451

    · 14 min · Episode 451

    Trying to find out why your child can handle it one day and completely lose it the next can leave parents confused and frustrated. Learn why nervous system capacity changes—and how to respond differently. Dr. Roseann…

  6. 30 Years. Thousands of Kids. Here's What Real Nervous System Regulation Looks Like | Nervous System Regulation | E450

    · 14 min · Episode 450

    After 30 years of helping families, Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge shares what real nervous system regulation looks like—more flexibility, faster recovery, confidence, and connection. As a Regulation First Parenting™…

  7. The Mistakes That Make Picky Eating Worse with Katie Kimball | Nervous System Regulation | E449

    · 46 min · Episode 449

    Picky eating can leave parents worried, frustrated, and stuck. The Mistakes That Make Picky Eating Worse explores what may be keeping the cycle going and how to help. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge brings her expertise in…

  8. The Cornell Case: Why Didn’t Someone Step In?

    · 30 min

    When danger unfolds, why didn’t someone step in? This episode explores why kids may freeze, follow the crowd, or stay silent—and how parents can prepare them to respond. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge uses Regulation First…

  9. Why Your Child’s Behavior Triggers You So Much And How to Stop Reacting | Co-Regulation Parenting | E448

    · 14 min · Episode 448

    When your child’s behavior pushes your buttons, it can be hard to stay calm. Why Your Child’s Behavior Triggers You So Much And How to Stop Reacting explores the nervous system behind reactivity, with Dr. Roseann…

  10. The Dysregulated Kid Is Here: What I Hope Happens Next | Regulation First Parenting® | E447

    · 10 min · Episode 447

    For parents navigating emotional dysregulation, The Dysregulated Kid offers a simpler way forward: more self-compassion, curiosity, and small moments of change. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge brings her expertise in…

  11. RESET to Regulate®: How to Calm an Overwhelmed Nervous System | Nervous System Regulation | E446

    · 51 min · Episode 446

    When stress takes over, knowing what to do first can make all the difference. Learning how to reset to regulate helps parents pause, create capacity, and respond with intention. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, an expert in…

  12. Reset Your Body When Stress Takes Over | Nervous System Regulation | E445

    · 52 min · Episode 445

    When stress takes over, your body needs regulation—not more pressure. Learn simple ways to reset your nervous system through breath, pressure, and movement with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, an expert in Regulation First…

  13. Help Your Child Regulate Big Emotions with the LOVE Pause® | Regulation First Parenting® | E444

    · 49 min · Episode 444

    When big emotions take over, knowing what to do can feel overwhelming. Understanding how to help your child regulate big emotions with the LOVE Pause® highlights how small moments of regulation can change what happens…

  14. Inside The Dysregulated Kid: The Chapter Every Parent Needs First | Regulation First Parenting® | E443

    · 12 min · Episode 443

    Inside The Dysregulated Kid starts with a powerful shift: stop blaming yourself or your child and look beneath the behavior. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, an expert in Regulation First Parenting™ and childhood emotional…

  15. What to Do in the First 5 Minutes of a Meltdown | Co-Regulation Parenting | E442

    · 12 min · Episode 442

    When your child melts down, the first few minutes matter. Learn what to do in the first 5 minutes of a meltdown to reduce escalation and support regulation. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, an expert in Regulation First…

  16. Why I Wrote The Dysregulated Kid—And Who It's Really For | Regulation First Parenting® | E441

    · 18 min · Episode 441

    When you’ve tried everything to help your child regulate, you may wonder what you’re missing. The real reason why I wrote The Dysregulated Kid and who it’s really for reveals a different path forward, guided by Dr.…

  17. Before You Call It Defiance, Ask These 5 Questions | Regulation First Parenting® | E440

    · 13 min · Episode 440

    Before calling your child defiant, pause and look deeper. These 5 questions to ask before you call it defiance can reveal whether behavior is driven by dysregulation. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge teaches Regulation First…

  18. When Teachers and Family Misread Your Child's Behavior | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E439

    · 11 min · Episode 439

    When teachers and family misread your child's behavior, parents may question their instincts when others don’t see the struggle. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge helps parents understand emotional dysregulation through…

  19. Why Behavior Is the Signal, Not the Problem | Regulation First Parenting® | E438

    · 12 min · Episode 438

    When your child’s behavior feels overwhelming, it may be communicating more than defiance. The reason why behavior is the signal, not the problem, explains what’s beneath big reactions and how regulation changes…

  20. Is Something in Your Home Quietly Affecting Your Family's Nervous System? | Nervous System Regulation | E437

    · 36 min · Episode 437

    Is Something in Your Home Quietly Affecting Your Family's Nervous System? Hidden everyday habits may be adding stress to your child's brain without you realizing it. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge shares practical,…

  21. ADHD, Anxiety, or Dysregulation? What's Really Going On? | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E436

    · 12 min · Episode 436

    Wondering if your child's struggles are ADHD, Anxiety, or Dysregulation? The answer may be deeper than a diagnosis. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge explains how Regulation First Parenting™ helps parents understand emotional…

  22. My Mother Was the Italian Beth Dutton: Why Dysregulated Kids Need Calm Authority | Regulation First Parenting® | E435

    · 16 min · Episode 435

    If you've ever wondered why dysregulated kids need calm authority, the answer starts with the parent who leads instead of reacts. In this episode, Dr. Roseann shares a powerful lesson from her mother and explains how…

  23. The 10-Minute Reset for Meltdowns, Stress, and Big Reactions | Nervous System Regulation | E434

    · 19 min · Episode 434

    When life feels overwhelming, a 10-Minute Reset for Meltdowns, Stress, and Big Reactions can help calm your nervous system and transform how you respond to your child. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, creator of Regulation…

  24. Why Moms Feel More Anxious, Overwhelmed, and Reactive After 40 with Dr. Mariza | Nervous System Regulation | E433

    · 53 min · Episode 433

    If you've wondered why moms feel more anxious, overwhelmed, and reactive after 40, you're not alone. Hormonal changes can affect your brain, stress response, and parenting in surprising ways. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge…

  25. How Can I Be Less Emotionally Reactive? The One Simple Tool You Are Missing | Nervous System Regulation | E432

    · 22 min · Episode 432

    If you've been wondering, how can I be less emotionally reactive?, the answer starts with understanding what your child's behavior is really communicating. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, creator of Regulation First…

  26. Why Does Nothing I Try Actually Work? And What To Do Instead | Regulation First Parenting® | E431

    · 26 min · Episode 431

    If you've been wondering why does nothing I try actually work and what to do instead, you're not alone. Learn why calming the nervous system—not trying harder—is the key to lasting change with Dr. Roseann…

  27. Why Does My Child Melt Down Over Everything? | Regulation First Parenting® | E430

    · 29 min · Episode 430

    If you've been asking yourself, why does my child melt down over everything, you're not alone. Learn why emotional outbursts are often signs of nervous system overload—not bad behavior. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge shares…

  28. Your Child Isn’t Giving You a Hard Time—They’re Having a Hard Time | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E429

    · 8:56 · Episode 429

    When you realize your child isn’t giving you a hard time—they’re having a hard time, everything about your response begins to change. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, creator of Regulation First Parenting™, helps families…

  29. Regulate. Connect. Correct.™: The Parenting Order That Works | Regulation First Parenting® | E428

    · 14 min · Episode 428

    Parents often correct behavior before calming the brain—and that's why it backfires. Discover the parenting order that works and learn how small changes in timing can reduce power struggles and build cooperation. Dr.…

  30. Why You Lose It Faster When You’re Already Overloaded | Nervous System Regulation | E427

    · 13 min · Episode 427

    If you've ever wondered why you lose it faster when you're already overloaded, the answer may lie in your nervous system—not your parenting. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, founder of Regulation First Parenting™, helps…

  31. What My Italian Mother Taught Me About Parenting Without Perfection | Co-Regulation Parenting | E426

    · 12 min · Episode 426

    If you've ever felt the pressure to be the perfect parent, what my Italian mother taught me about parenting without perfection will remind you that love, connection, and repair matter far more than getting every moment…

  32. Why Little Triggers Lead to Big Reactions in Your Child | Nervous System Regulation | E425

    · 16 min · Episode 425

    Wondering why little triggers lead to big reactions in your child? Those explosive moments often signal an overwhelmed nervous system, not defiance. Join Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, founder of Regulation First…

  33. The 3-Second Pause That Stops You From Escalating | Co-Regulation Parenting | E424

    · 14 min · Episode 424

    The 3-second pause that stops you from escalating helps parents pause, regulate, and respond instead of react. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is a pediatric mental health expert in Regulation First Parenting™ and emotional…

  34. Why Consequences Aren’t Working for Your Dysregulated Child | Regulation First Parenting® | E423

    · 16 min · Episode 423

    If you’re stuck wondering why consequences aren’t working for your dysregulated child, you’re not alone. Learn what’s really driving behavior and how to create change. With her Regulation First Parenting™ approach, Dr.…

  35. The Real Reason Power Struggles Keep Happening | Nervous System Regulation | E422

    · 18 min · Episode 422

    If you feel stuck in the same daily battles with your child, this episode breaks down the real reason power struggles keep happening—it’s not defiance, it’s dysregulation loops. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, expert in…

  36. ADHD or Dysregulation? What Most Parents Miss | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E421

    · 16 min · Episode 421

    Wondering if it’s ADHD or dysregulation behind your child’s struggles? When focus, behavior, and emotions shift fast, the answer may not be what you think. In this episode, Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, creator of…

  37. How to Stay Calm When Your Child Is Screaming at You | Co-Regulation Parenting | E420

    · 14 min · Episode 420

    When meltdowns hit, body reacts before mind catches up. How to Stay Calm When Your Child Is Screaming at You helps you interrupt escalation, reset nervous system, and respond with clarity. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge…

  38. What My Italian Mother Taught Me About Trusting Your Parenting Instincts | Regulation First Parenting® | E419

    · 15 min · Episode 419

    When everyone says “it’s fine” but your gut says otherwise, trusting your parenting instincts can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Dr. Roseann shares how her Italian mother’s fearless approach shaped her ability to…

  39. Is My Child’s Behavior Normal? When to Worry and When to Wait | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E418

    · 18 min · Episode 418

    If you’ve been asking, “Is My Child’s Behavior Normal?” you’re not alone. Knowing when to wait and when to act can feel overwhelming—but it starts with understanding patterns. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, expert in…

  40. Why Gentle Parenting Isn’t Working for Your Strong-Willed Child | Regulation First Parenting® | E417

    · 15 min · Episode 417

    If you’re wondering why gentle parenting isn’t working for your strong-willed child, you’re not alone. When a child’s brain is dysregulated, strategies fall flat—Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge shows how Regulation First…

  41. Stop Yelling and Punishing: What to Do Instead | Regulation First Parenting® | E416

    · 11 min · Episode 416

    Stopping yelling and punishing often feels like the only option, but it rarely helps dysregulated kids learn new behavior. In this episode, parents learn what actually works instead. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is an…

  42. Why Bedtime Is a Battle for ADHD and Anxious Kids | Nervous System Regulation | E415

    · 13 min · Episode 415

    The reason why bedtime is a battle for ADHD and anxious kids often shows up as chaos—but it’s really a dysregulated nervous system. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, expert in Regulation First Parenting™, shares how to calm…

  43. 5 Phrases to Calm an Angry Child in Under a Minute | Co-Regulation Parenting | E414

    · 14 min · Episode 414

    When a child is in meltdown, 30 seconds matter most. The 5 Phrases to Calm an Angry Child in Under a Minute gives parents science-backed tools to calm without escalating the nervous system. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is an…

  44. Why Your Child Melts Down Over Small Things (And What It Means) | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E413

    · 14 min · Episode 413

    If you’ve ever wondered why your child melts down over small things, you’re not alone—what looks like overreacting is often a nervous system that has already reached its limit. Learn more about what's really happening…

  45. You’ve Tried Everything… So Why Is Your Child Still Struggling? | Regulation-First Parenting | E412

    · 36 min · Episode 412

    If you’re wondering why your child is still struggling despite trying everything, the answer may lie in nervous system dysregulation. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, expert in Regulation First Parenting™, shares how calming…

  46. Nervous System Calming Techniques for Anxious Children: What Helps When Worry Takes Over | Nervous System Strategies | E411

    · 18 min · Episode 411

    When worry takes over, logic alone won’t help. Nervous system calming techniques for anxious children focus on regulating the body first so kids can truly settle. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, expert in Regulation First…

  47. Nervous System Regulation in Children: Why Anxious Kids Can’t Just Calm Down | Regulation-First Parenting | E410

    · 14 min · Episode 410

    When anxiety hits, kids can’t just “calm down”—their body is in survival mode. Understanding nervous system regulation in children explains why this happens and what helps. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, expert in…

  48. What If the Gut–Brain Connection Is Driving Emotional Dysregulation? | Nervous System Strategies | E409

    · 21 min · Episode 409

    What if the gut–brain connection is driving emotional dysregulation in your child? Hidden gut imbalances may fuel mood swings and meltdowns. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, expert in Regulation First Parenting™, helps…

  49. The Hidden Signs of PANS/PANDAS Every Parent Misses—And Why It Looks Like ADHD, Anxiety or Even Autism with Dr. Nancy O'Hara l Emotional Dysregulation in Children l E408

    · 50 min · Episode 408

    Something feels off even when tests come back normal. Discover the hidden signs of PANS/PANDAS every parent misses as Dr. Nancy O’Hara unpacks sudden symptoms often mistaken for ADHD, anxiety, or autism. Dr. Roseann…

  50. Why School Quietly Fills Your Child’s Stress Cup (And Most Adults Miss It) | Emotional Dysregulation | E407

    · 16 min · Episode 407

    Ever wonder why your child melts down after a “good” day? Understanding why school quietly fills your child’s stress cup reveals how hidden stress builds all day. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, expert in Regulation First…

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