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 3 of 6

  1. The Surprising Fix for Oppositional Behavior (3 Steps Parents Can Use Today) | Regulation First Parenting™ | E358

    · 13 min · Episode 358

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes When every request turns into a battle, it's easy to believe your child is being intentionally difficult. But most oppositional behavior isn't about disrespect or manipulation. In…

  2. Your Child’s Meltdown Triggered Your Meltdown, Now What? | Co-Regulation | E357

    · 11 min · Episode 357

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes When your child's meltdown collides with your own stress, it can feel impossible to stay calm. One minute you're regulated, the next you're yelling too. If you've ever wondered why…

  3. Why Your Child Freaks Out Over the Smallest Things | Regulation First Parenting™ | E356

    · 13 min · Episode 356

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes Have you ever wondered why your child freaks out over socks that feel "wrong," a sandwich cut the wrong way, or a tiny change in routine? You're not alone. These reactions may seem…

  4. Gentle Parenting Isn’t Enough: Here’s What Kids Really Need | Regulation First Parenting™ | E355

    · 13 min · Episode 355

    Parenting a child who constantly melts down—even when you’ve tried every gentle parenting tip out there—can leave you exhausted and doubting yourself. You’re doing your best to be calm and validating, yet you still…

  5. Lazy or Dysregulated? What is the Truth About Unmotivated Kids | Nervous System Strategies | E354

    · 15 min · Episode 354

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes Parenting unmotivated kids can be heartbreaking. You remind, encourage, reward, and support, yet they still avoid homework, resist responsibilities, or melt down when tasks feel hard.…

  6. Why Dysregulated Kids Can’t Use Their Executive Function (and What to Do About It) | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E353

    · 18 min · Episode 353

    Executive function challenges can make even simple tasks feel impossible for a dysregulated child. In this episode, I explain why executive function shuts down when the nervous system is overwhelmed and what parents…

  7. Why Lyme Tests Fail: What to Do When Bloodwork Looks Clear with Dr. Bill Rawls | Nervous System Regulation | E352

    · 54 min · Episode 352

    Lyme testing can be frustrating for parents when symptoms persist but bloodwork comes back normal. In this episode, Dr. Bill Rawls explains why lyme testing often misses active infections, what negative results may…

  8. How to Calm Your Child Without Saying a Word | Co-Regulation Parenting | E351

    · 10 min · Episode 351

    Calm your child without saying a word. In this episode, I explain why talking often backfires when kids are upset and how your calm presence, body language, and nervous system cues can help calm your child faster than…

  9. 3 Signs You’re Co-Regulating Right (and 2 You’re Not) | Co-Regulation Parenting | E350

    · 11 min · Episode 350

    Co-regulating is one of the most powerful ways to help children learn emotional regulation, but many parents wonder if they're actually doing it right. In this episode, I break down the signs that co-regulating is…

  10. Are Rewards and Consequences Hurting Your Child Instead of Helping? | Regulation-First Parenting | E349

    · 12 min · Episode 349

    Rewards and consequences don't always work the way parents expect, especially when a child is dysregulated. In this episode, I explain why rewards and consequences often fail to change behavior, what the brain needs…

  11. Why Nervous System Co-Regulation Beats Consequences Every Time | Regulation-First Parenting | E348

    · 12 min · Episode 348

    Nervous system co-regulation is one of the most effective ways to help a dysregulated child calm down, learn, and build emotional resilience. In this episode, I explain why nervous system co-regulation works better…

  12. The Real Reason Transitions Are So Hard For Your Child | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E347

    · 12 min · Episode 347

    Transitions are hard for many children, especially when their nervous system is already overwhelmed. In this episode, I explain why transitions are hard, what’s happening in the brain during these difficult moments,…

  13. How to Stay Calm When Your Kid Isn’t: Co-Regulation Parenting 101 | Co-Regulation Parenting | E346

    · 17 min · Episode 346

    Co-regulation parenting helps children learn emotional regulation by borrowing your calm before they can create their own. In this episode, I explain why co-regulation parenting is one of the most powerful tools for…

  14. After-School Restraint Collapse: What Teachers Don’t See (But You Do) | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E345

    · 12 min · Episode 345

    After-school restraint collapse happens when children spend the entire school day holding it together, only to fall apart when they finally get home. In this episode, I explain why after-school restraint collapse…

  15. Regulation First Parenting: The Secret Every Stressed Parent Needs to Hear | Regulation-First Parenting | E344

    · 12 min · Episode 344

    Regulation First Parenting is the missing piece many overwhelmed parents never learn. In this episode, I explain why regulation first parenting works, why traditional parenting strategies often backfire, and how…

  16. I Was Medicated as a Kid—Here’s What I Wish My Parents Knew With Erin Kerry | Regulation-First Parenting | E343

    · 52 min · Episode 343

    Medicated children often receive diagnoses and prescriptions before parents fully understand what's driving the behavior. In this episode, I sit down with Erin Kerry to discuss her experience being medicated,…

  17. Why Parenting Is Hard Today (It's Not Just You) | Regulation-First Parenting | E342

    · 11 min · Episode 342

    Parenting is hard, and if you're feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stretched too thin, you're not alone. In this episode, I unpack why parenting is hard in today's world, what's really driving the stress so many…

  18. 341: Is Your Child's Nervous System is Stuck in Fight-Flight-or-Freeze?

    · 8:44 · Episode 341

    When your child’s nervous system is stuck in fight, flight, or freeze, even minor frustrations can trigger explosive outbursts, shutdowns, or runaway behavior. It isn’t disobedience—it’s the autonomic nervous system in…

  19. 340: 3 Things to Do in the First 60 Seconds of Any Child Meltdown

    · 9:01 · Episode 340

    When your child’s emotions spiral into a meltdown, it can feel like everything in family life stops. The crying, yelling, or tantrum behavior takes over—and no amount of reasoning or sticker charts seems to help.…

  20. Child Behavior Problems of Struggling Kids: Early Warning Signs Parents Miss (Crisis Prevention) | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E339

    · 14 min · Episode 339

    Struggling kids don't need parents to wait and hope things improve on their own. In this episode, I explain why early action matters, how to spot warning signs in struggling kids, and what parents can do to support…

  21. 5 Therapist-Reccommended Sensory Tools That Actually Help Kids Regulate | Nervous System Strategies | E338

    · 11 min · Episode 338

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes Parenting a child with sensory challenges can feel like a guessing game. One day a fidget works, the next day it's tossed across the room. That's because it's not about the object.…

  22. Special Episode: The MAHA Report Reveals Shocking Truths About Kids’ Mental Health

    · 17 min

    Parenting today feels overwhelming—and it’s not your imagination. The latest Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Report reveals shocking truths about kids’ mental health and shows us just how deep this childhood chronic…

  23. Why Picky Eating Might Not Be Behavioral - It's Biological | Nervous System Strategies | E337

    · 16 min · Episode 337

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes If every mealtime feels like a battle filled with tears, gagging, food refusal, or endless negotiations, you're not alone. Many parents assume picky eating is simply stubbornness, but…

  24. 5 Signs Your Child is Emotionally Dysregulated (Not Defiant!) | E336

    · 10 min · Episode 336

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes Parenting a child who pushes back at every turn can feel exhausting. You've tried consequences, sticker charts, and time-outs, yet the meltdowns keep coming. If you're wondering…

  25. The Hidden Link Between Gut Issues and Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E335

    · 15 min · Episode 335

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes Have you ever wondered why your child melts down after the smallest stressor, no matter what strategies you try? You're not alone. Many parents are surprised to learn that gut health…

  26. Why Traditional Discipline Makes My Child Worse | Regulation First Parenting™ | E334

    · 13 min · Episode 334

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes If you've tried time-outs, sticker charts, rewards, and consequences, yet your child still melts down, you're not alone. Many parents discover that traditional discipline doesn't work…

  27. Phone and the Brain: What Phones Are Really Doing to Your Child | Nervous System Regulation | E333

    · 13 min · Episode 333

    Understanding the connection between phone and brain health has never been more important. In this episode, I break down how excessive phone use can affect attention, emotional regulation, behavior, and overall brain…

  28. How to Calm Your Child (and Yourself) in Just 10 Seconds | Regulation First Parenting™ | E332

    · 11 min · Episode 332

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes If you're constantly walking on eggshells, waiting for the next meltdown, you're not alone. Many parents feel trapped in a cycle of big emotions, yelling, and guilt. The good news is…

  29. What No One Tells You About Raising a Strong-Willed Child | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E331

    · 15 min · Episode 331

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes If you're raising a strong willed child, you're probably tired, frustrated, and wondering why everything feels like a negotiation. Here's what I want you to know: you're not failing.…

  30. The Secret Signs Your Child Needs Help with Behavior | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E330

    · 15 min · Episode 330

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes If your child zones out, explodes, or melts down over the smallest things, you may be wondering whether something deeper is going on. You're not imagining it. Often, when your child…

  31. "I Swore I'd Stay Calm ... Then I lost It" | How to Self Regulate as a Parent | E329

    · 15 min · Episode 329

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes Have you ever promised yourself you wouldn't yell, only to lose your temper again? If you've wondered how to self regulate as a parent, you're not alone. Parenting a child with big…

  32. When Your Child Is Left Out: What to Say and Do | Co-Regulation Parenting | E328

    · 26 min · Episode 328

    When your child is left out, the heartbreak is real. In this episode, I share a deeply personal story about when your child is left out, what it taught me about emotional regulation, and how parents can support…

  33. 3 Foods That Make Anxiety Worse And What to Eat Instead | Regulation First Parenting™ | E327

    · 11 min · Episode 327

    Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes When your child melts down over the smallest thing, it's easy to wonder if you're missing something important. The truth is that food can have a powerful impact on mood, focus, and…

  34. Top 5 Therapeutic Exercises to Improve Emotional Regulation Skills in Children and Teens | Regulation First Parenting™ | E326

    · 12 min · Episode 326

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes Does your child struggle with big emotions, anxiety, meltdowns, or emotional overwhelm? The key to improving emotional regulation skills isn't more discipline or consequences. It's…

  35. Emotional Dysregulation Treatment: What Really Works for Children and Teens | E325

    · 16 min · Episode 325

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes Does it feel like no matter what you try, therapy, medication, behavior plans, or new routines, your child still struggles to stay calm, focused, or emotionally regulated? You're not…

  36. How Emotional Dysregulation and Trauma Impact Behavior and Learning | Regulation First Parenting™ | E324

    · 11 min · Episode 324

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes When your child is constantly overwhelmed, melting down over transitions, or avoiding tasks altogether, it’s easy to assume they’re not trying hard enough. But the truth is much…

  37. The Link Between Emotional Dysregulation and Trauma in Children | Regulation First Parenting™ | E323

    · 13 min · Episode 323

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes Emotional dysregulation and trauma are deeply connected, yet the signs are often misunderstood. When a child experiences trauma, their nervous system can become stuck in survival…

  38. What's Really Causing Anger Outbursts in Kids | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E322

    · 10 min · Episode 322

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes When your child erupts over something tiny, it can feel heartbreaking, confusing, and exhausting. If you're dealing with frequent anger outbursts, you're not failing as a parent. Your…

  39. 50 Police Calls Later: What Everyone Missed About These Dysregulated Kids | E321

    · 12 min · Episode 321

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes When behavior becomes extreme, parents often fear the worst. But what looks shocking on the surface is usually a nervous system crying out for help. In this episode, I unpack the…

  40. What the Vagus Nerve Has to Do With Your Child’s Behavior | Nervous System Regulation | E320

    · 13 min · Episode 320

    Vagus nerve health plays a powerful role in your child’s ability to stay calm, focused, and emotionally regulated. In this episode, I explain how the vagus nerve affects behavior, why a dysregulated nervous system can…

  41. “I Hate You, Mom!”—What to Say When It Hurts Most | Co-Regulation Parenting | E319

    · 12 min · Episode 319

    When your child says "I hate you", it can feel like a punch to the heart. In this episode, I explain what it really means when a child says "I hate you", why these words usually come from emotional overwhelm rather…

  42. The #1 Thought-Calming Strategy Every Parent of an Anxious Child Must Know | Nervous System Regulation | E318

    · 20 min · Episode 318

    Thought calming is one of the most important skills parents can teach an anxious child. In this episode, I explain why thought calming works, how anxiety and OCD fuel repetitive worries, and what parents can do to help…

  43. The 3 WORST Supplements for ADHD | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E317

    · 13 min · Episode 317

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes Parents are constantly told that supplements can improve focus, behavior, and emotional regulation in kids with ADHD. But here's the truth: some of the worst supplements for ADHD are…

  44. ADHD vs Mood Disorder | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E316

    · 30 min · Episode 316

    Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes If your child has intense emotions, explosive rage, or meltdowns that seem to come out of nowhere, you're not alone. One of the biggest sources of confusion for parents is…

  45. Dysregulated or Defiant? Understanding the Brain-Behavior Connection | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E315

    · 13 min · Episode 315

    The connection between brain and behavior explains why children don't always respond the way parents expect. In this episode, I break down the connection between brain and behavior, why challenging behaviors are often…

  46. How to Help Kids With Emotional Dysregulation and Anxiety | Regulation First Parenting™ | E314

    · 17 min · Episode 314

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes When your child spirals fast, it can leave you feeling powerless. You try staying calm, offering choices, and redirecting, yet the meltdown still arrives like a tidal wave. The truth…

  47. Emotional Dysregulation: Signs, Causes, and How to Help Your Child Regulate Emotions | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E313

    · 19 min · Episode 313

    Signs of emotional dysregulation in children are often misunderstood as bad behavior, defiance, or attention-seeking. In this episode, I explain the signs of emotional dysregulation in children, why they happen, and…

  48. What is Emotional Dysregulation? | Regulation First Parenting™ | E312

    · 12 min · Episode 312

    Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes When your child melts down over something small, it can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure what to do next. If you've ever wondered what is emotional dysregulation, you're not…

  49. Case Study: What a 10-Year-Old Who Shot His Mom Teaches Us About Emotional Dysregulation | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E311

    · 21 min · Episode 311

    Rage in children can be frightening, confusing, and heartbreaking for parents. In this episode, I explore the deeper causes of rage in children, what extreme emotional outbursts may be telling us about the nervous…

  50. The Medical Mystery Behind Your Child’s Dysregulation, OCD, and Anxiety | Emotional Dysregulation in Children | E310

    · 25 min · Episode 310

    Medical mystery cases are more common than many parents realize. In this episode, I explore why a hidden medical mystery may be driving symptoms like dysregulation, OCD, anxiety, mood changes, and behavioral challenges…

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