The Better Behavior Show with Dr. Nicole Beurkens: Recent Episodes
Dr. Nicole Beurkens
Improve your child’s attention, anxiety, mood, and behavior with simple strategies you can use right now.
As we emerge from 'sugar season', I thought this would be a great time to revisit a very popular previous episode I did with Dr. Natasha Beck, lovingly known as Dr. Organic Mommy, on reducing sugar and simple strategies for improving nutrient density in our diets. With obesity and mental health skyrocketing in kids and adults, what are some simple swaps and better food choices we can make to improve our physical and mental health? We start with the basics on how to realistically improve nutrition and lifestyle, including non-toxic living tips and how to get selective (or picky eaters) to try new foods so that every family is empowered to make healthy decisions. There are loads of meal suggestions and cleaner packaged food options for kids that Dr. Beck shares in this one!
Dr. Natasha Beck is a parenting expert and founder of Dr. Organic Mommy, an online resource focused on pregnancy, parenting, and non-toxic living. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Pediatric Neuro-psychology, and a Master's in Public Health specializing in Child and Family Health. She's also certified in leadership education and neurodevelopmental disabilities from Children's Hospital Los Angeles. From how to handle tantrums to mealtime difficulties to helping families live healthier lives, Dr. Organic Mommy aims to help every family make healthy decisions, drawing on her experience as a mom and a parenting expert. Her parenting expertise combines the use of Waldorf, Montessori, and RIE philosophies, all of which we have covered at various times on the show, tied into cognitive-behavioral and play therapy. When she's not working on Dr. Organic Mommy, Natasha is busy raising her three children, and she's got another, a fourth on the way, and her two fur babies with her husband, and serves on the board of various organizations.
Episode Timestamps: Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Dr. Beck … 00:01:12
Dr. Beck’s Background—ADHD and Effects of Diet … 00:02:48
Biggest Knowledge Gaps on Food & Lifestyle … 00:05:23
2 Biggest Offenders in “Kids Food” … 00:07:28
Chronic Health Issues Associated with Sugars and Overconsumption … 12:47
Practical Ways to Reduce Sugar … 00:16:38
Taking Baby Steps to Decrease Sugar … 00:22:33
Best Kid-Friendly Snacks to Have On-Hand … 27:20
Should You Avoid Juice? … 00:31:19
Snacks are the Easiest to Transition to Start With … 00:36:45
Preservatives, Dyes, and Chemicals Hiding In Our Food … 00:38:58
Food Additives on the Gut, Oral, Brain, and Overall Health … 00:43:32
Social Toxins Can be Worse than Chemical Ones … 00:45:35
Episode Wrap up & Resources … 00:47:00
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Jason Campbell.
We are discussing how to avoid stress buildup and dysregulation in kids and ourselves by learning how to create more space in your life--and I don't just mean physical space--we're talking about the space we need in our minds, thoughts, feelings, bodies, and the environment around us. Learning how to create this space allows us to be more reflective and responsive when things happen, as opposed to being reactive. We explore practical ways to not only avoid the buildup of toxic stress, emotions and experiences, but also how to be more resilient, especially when we're navigating particularly tough times and seasons with our kids and in our own adult lives.
Jason Campbell's journey into meditation, music and wellness began 44 years ago, at the age of 8, when his teacher told him to never listen to notes, but instead to listen to the space in between the notes. He's been creating music ever since and has released over 100 albums and has been #1 on multiple billboards and Amazon charts. Jason is also a seventh degree black belt and co founder of Zen Wellness. His unique perspective on health, wellness and spiritual growth comes from his lifelong study of both music and the ancient arts of Eastern Health, medicine, meditation and enlightenment. His music and teachings have opened meditation to thousands of people who have never meditated before, or who have tried meditation and failed in their effort to simply sit still and clear the mind. Jason often says “Be still for one song, five minutes per day, close your eyes and breathe with the bell. It can change your life.” On a personal note, Jason is the father of two young adult children and understands what it means to navigate the many challenges that come along with having kids and the extra needs they bring.
Follow Jason:
- Websites: zenpiano.com https://www.jasoncampbellmusic.com/ https://www.zenwellness.us/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonandrobincampbellmusic/
- Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jasoncampbellmusic/
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Jason Campbell … 00:01:40
Ideas of What Meditation is Supposed to Be … 00:5:50
Be Present Now … 00:9:45
Creating More Space to be Regulated … 00:14:47
Counterintuitive Approach to Being Less Reactive … 00:20:40
Avoiding Chronic Stress Buildup: Purging … 00:29:00
3 Minute Breathing Exercise … 00:34:50
Where Emotions Live in the Body … 00:41:40
Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:45:30
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Courtney Kowalczyk.
In this episode, Dr. Courtney and I are discussing a topic that I get asked about most, school! Specifically about getting the education and help at school your child needs. Issues can arise with kids of all ages, especially when a child has extra challenges that impact their learning or behavior. The school environment can be a tough thing to navigate, and parents often feel at a major disadvantage with not understanding how these systems work, or what is available to help their child. So to answer the many questions I receive around the topic of school; whether it’s how to best deal with schools and teachers, how to get the right support for your child who’s struggling, or choosing the right educational setting, Dr. Courtney is the perfect expert to share her insights and tips.
Dr. Courtney Kowalczyk has been a therapist at Horizons, my clinic, for over 15 years. She is a Limited Licensed Psychologist and Certified Special Education teacher. Dr. Courtney began her career within the public school environment as a special education teacher and teacher consultant. She's worked with students of all ages with a variety of disabilities including cognitive impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, executive function disabilities, physical impairments, health conditions, and speech and language impairments. Her work has focused on psychological evaluation and treatment of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Courtney is actively involved in the realm of education, and provides ongoing consultation services to several schools within and outside of Michigan. She's also a co-author of Learning as We Grow, a text written to support individuals with disabilities in the educational environment along with their teachers and caregivers.
Connect with Dr. Courtney Kowalczyk:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HorizonsDRC
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HorizonsDRC/
- Website: https://www.horizonsdrc.com/staff/courtney-kowalczyk
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-kowalczyk-3089b484/
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Intro to Dr. Courtney Kowalczyk … 00:01:20
Kids Progress Better with a Bigger Support Network … 00:05:45
School has Become More Challenging for Kids … 00:08:36
Importance of Good Relationships & Communication in School & Home … 00:13:18
Clinical/Medical Diagnoses Outside the School System … 00:20:37
Special Education Process Criteria … 00:23:00
Meeting Physical Medical Needs at School … 00:28:50
Be Proactive with Communicating Needs for Your Child … 00:31:35
Best Approach When a Child is Struggling at School … 00:34:40
Be Your Child’s Best Advocate & Follow up if Deadlines Are Missed … 00:41:20
You’ve Done Everything & Child is Still Struggling … 00:43:30
Resources, Consults & Episode Wrap Up … 00:51:40
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Cheryl Cardall.
In this episode, we are talking about an issue that isn’t covered or supported enough: the current systems are failing parents who are raising kids with mental health challenges and the immense struggle parents often face when trying to get them the help they need. This can create a lot of pain and difficulties in the lives of parents (and children), to the point where the disorders and challenges can take over the family. Unfortunately, there is a lot of social stigma around this topic and especially with the mental health piece, not just for children, but for the parents of these children.
My guest Cheryl, as a parent of 5 children and an expert parent coach is going to shine some light on this so we can become more aware of these real lived experiences parents raising kids with extra challenges face and how we can start to develop and provide more effective support systems of care that actually meet the needs, and mental health needs, of these individuals, the parents, and families.
Cheryl Cardall is a parent and a parent coach who has been focusing on these issues personally and professionally for many years. She has so many important insights to share. I'm going to tell you a little bit about her. She's a parent, coach and host of the Fight Like a Mother podcast. Her mission is to advocate for and educate around mental health, as well as provide support and resources for parents raising kids with extra challenges. She has a bachelor's degree in Family and Human Development from the University of Utah, and loves to speak and teach around helping to strengthen families. Cheryl and her husband, Dave, are the proud parents of five children.
Connect with Cheryl:
Insta: @cherylcardall
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/428000511062660/
Website: https://www.fightlikeamotherpodcast.com/
Podcast: https://www.fightlikeamotherpodcast.com/podcast-1
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Cheryl & Parent Coaching … 00:01:40
Kids with Challenges-It Can be Tough … 00:08:15
Crisis & Help Centers are Overwhelmed … 00:12:54
Emotional & Physical Burnout for Parents … 00:16:25
Parents Taking on the Blame & Shame … 00:19:50
How to Overcome Codependency … 00:27:05
Acceptance & Reality of Kids with Challenges … 00:29:05
How Toxic Childhoods Affects Us … 00:31:30
Is Social Media Making You Feel Worse? … 00:34:40
Supportive Community for Parents with Kids with Challenges … 00:36:00
Detaching & Advocating for Themselves … 00:39:00
Advice for How Others Can Help … 00:43:55
Community, Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:45:35
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Jason Campbell.
As the MOST downloaded episode to date and a prelude to part 2 that will be airing soon, I wanted to rerelease my episode with Jason. If you tuned in the first time, I encourage you to re-listen as there are always great reminders and new nuggets of wisdom to be picked up!
This is also a great topic to revisit in January as this re-airs; to reset, refocus, and remind ourselves about self regulation tools and how to be less reactive. So in this episode, Jason and I discuss how to stay regulated and be less reactive when things don’t go your way, or perhaps when your child is in the midst of big emotions and challenging behaviors. The techniques we discuss are by far some of the most important things we can do to support our kids and ourselves, especially when we are experiencing significant stressors and challenges with our kids or in any other part of our life.
What I love about this episode is it is dedicated to learning and practicing skills to help everyone, at all ages and developmental stages, be more regulated, mindful, and calm overall. Meditation doesn't have to be scary or perfect, or even take up much of your time. Stay and listen until the end where Jason guides us through an extremely effective 5-minute exercise.
Jason has released over 100 albums, has been number one on multiple billboard and Amazon charts, and has five Billboard Top albums in a five-month period in 2019! Jason recently released his 32nd album titled, Zen Piano Correcting Source. He is the Director of Music for Genius X Virtual Reality, and writes music and meditation for organizations, such as Happy ChiliSleep and Focus at Will.
Follow Jason:
- Websites: https://www.jasoncampbellmusic.com/ https://www.zenwellness.us/ zenpiano.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonandrobincampbellmusic/
- Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jasoncampbellmusic/
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Jason Campbell, Music, & Meditation … 00:01:25
Thinking Our Way Through Life … 00:07:20
Parents, is Your Headspace is Clear? … 00:10:33
Coregulation & Not getting Stuck in a Mind Loop … 00:15:08
Monkey Mind and Struggling with Thoughts … 00:22:22
Obstacles & Fighting in Opposition Causes Problems … 24:06
5 Minute Breathing Exercise Example … 00:31:40
Satori, a Glimpse or Moment of Enlightenment … 00:39:53
How Long Do You Meditate For? … 00:42:14
Recognizing in Real Life Groundhog’s Day … 00:47:20
Five Element Meditation & Other Resources … 00: 51:37
Episode Wrap up … 00:52:35
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Lynn Cunningham.
In this episode, Lynn and I discuss psychiatric medications and the information that doesn’t often get shared in either the doctor’s office or in mainstream media about the concerning impact of these drugs both temporarily and permanently on some children, teens, and adults. I want to be clear that this is not an anti-medication or anti-psychiatry show. If you follow my work, you know I take a very balanced approach, and believe that these medications can have their place in the treatment toolbox for a minority of people with mental health symptoms. However, it is my strong research-based opinion that these drugs are widely overprescribed and under researched, especially for children and teens. Those with side effects (even severe) are often told to stay on them or take more, this is unacceptable. Let’s discuss some of these negative impacts, what true informed consent is, and tips (including weaning off) to help you navigate if medication your physician is prescribing is right for your child.
Lynn Cunningham is an award-winning filmmaker, co-director and producer of the documentary film Medicating Normal, and produced directed and edited films and TV for PBS and the History Channel in the 1980s and 90s. A personal experience with a family member diagnosed with a serious mental illness and medicated to the point of being unrecognizable led Lynn to research the world of mental health treatment, and how what we're told about psychiatric medication is far from the whole story. She's interviewed hundreds of psychiatric patients, and consulted with scores of experts across the country about their experiences in order to create Medicating Normal. This film is a stunning new perspective on the safety and efficacy of psychiatric drugs, and society's over reliance on them to relieve pain and suffering.
Connect with Lynn:
- Insta: https://www.instagram.com/medicatingnormal/
- Website: medicatingnormal.com
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30 Introduction to Lynn Cunningham & Medication Documentary … 00:02:30 Rollercoaster of Medications & Worsening of Symptoms … 00:08:45 Lack of Education & What is Hyperbolic Tapering … 00:12:07 Regulators, Testers & Funders of Drug Trials Are the Same Who Profit … 00:15:40 Dark Side of Xanax and Stimulants … 00:18:00 Chemical Imbalance Myth … 00:24:00 Medications Causing Worsening Symptoms … 00:32:43 The Body Can Heal & Be Mentally Healthy … 00:40:15 Importance of Therapeutic, Developmentally-Focused Work … 00:43:00 Vetted Professional Experts … 00:46:25 Psychiatric Wellbeing & Taking Control … 00:49:45 Documentary, Community Panels, & Episode Wrap Up … 00:50:50
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Allie Casazza.
In this episode, Allie and I discuss how to declutter our lives and environment so we can be happier and healthier. If you are listening to this episode as it airs, the start of the new year is the perfect time to cover this topic, as many of us are looking at our lives—homes, schedule, health, routines, etc. and saying, “Oh my goodness, I need to get things in order”, especially after the holiday hoopla. There is something about the blank slate of a new year that invites us to take a closer look at our environments and habits, and this can be a really good thing for us adults and for our kids. Research shows our physical environment plays a huge role in how we feel and function, and that includes how our kids feel and function too. Let’s explore deeper to provide you with practical and doable tips to declutter, where to start, and how to navigate resistance and obstacles!
Allie Casazza is on a mission to eradicate the hot mess mom stereotype by empowering other women. She's built a massive audience and a multimillion-dollar online business based on her proven family-oriented approach to minimalism. She's also the host of The Purpose Show, a chart-topping podcast, the creator of multiple online programs and courses, and bestselling author of Declutter Like a Mother and kid’s book, Be the Boss of Your Stuff. Her platforms continue to grow every day, as more women discover her life changing approach to an abundant life. She lives in Southern California with her husband, where they homeschool their four young children.
Connect with Allie:
- Insta: @allie_thatsme
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alliecasazzablog
- Website: https://alliecasazza.com
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnZQsR95-0ELopcMjxJmrDg
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Allie Casazza & Not Accepting Permanent “Survival Mode” … 00:01:25
Motherhood Should NOT Be Martyrdom or Drudgery … 00:10:25
Our Environment is Pinging Us All the Time … 00:15:42
Studies Around Controlling Our Environment … 00:20:25
Is Kid Clutter ‘the problem’? … 00:22:16
How to Start Decluttering & Family Culture … 00:26:15
“My Kids Won’t Do It” Objection” … 00:31:45
The Best Room & Routine to Start With … 00:33:54
Need More Time in the Day? Here are Tips … 00:36:26
Decluttering Emotionally Attached Items … 00:38:30
Books, Free Online Group, Programs, & Episode Wrap Up … 00:48:12
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Nicole LePera.
In this episode, I've got my dear friend, Dr. Nicole LePera, The Holistic Psychologist, to do a dive into our personal and professional experiences in the world of mental health, kids, and parenting. We talk about how we've come to understand mental health diagnoses and treatment differently over time, what we need to do to improve mental health for ourselves and children, how we can be better parents and to ourselves, and much more! When the two of us get together, there's never a shortage of topics so we go into other favorites, like what it means to be a conscious participant, dealing with information overload vs. implementation gap, the concept of reparenting, and of course, her new workbook (which is amazing!), How to Meet Your Self.
Dr. Nicole LePera is trained in clinical psychology at Cornell University, the New School for Social Research and the Philadelphia School of Psychoanalysis. She's the author of the #1 NYT bestselling book, How to Do the Work, and the podcast host of SelfHealers Soundboard. As a clinical psychologist in private practice, Dr. Nicole often found herself frustrated by the limitations of traditional psychotherapy. Wanting more for her patients and herself, she began a journey to develop a united philosophy of mental, physical and spiritual health that equips people with the tools necessary to heal themselves. Dr. Nicole is the creator of the SelfHealers movement, where people from around the world are joining together in a community to take healing into their own hands. In 2019, she founded SelfHealers Circle, the first virtual self-guided global healing membership. SelfHealer Circle has members in over 60 countries who heal as a collective. Her latest workbook, How to Meet Your Self, was just released (December 2022).
Connect with Dr. LePera:
- Insta: @the.holistic.psychologist
- Facebook: the.holistic.psychologist
- Website: https://theholisticpsychologist.com/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtEWTaMjqOH8J1Gy06Ey0Yg
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to The Holistic Psychologist, Dr. Nicole LePera … 00:01:25
What’s Missing in Our Clinician Education … 00:12:04
Mental Health Issues & Substance Abuse … 00:16:00
Creating New & Better Ways to Help People … 00:20:30
Mental Illness, Mental Health Diagnoses & Treatment …00:24:00
Diagnoses & Disappointment for a Solution … 00:33:20
Self-Healing as an Option … 00:38:20
What Does Self-Healing Look Like? … 00:46:00
Parenting & Wanting Behavior Shifts in Our Kids … 00:58:15
What is Reparenting? … 01:05:00
Replenishing Yourself as a Parent … 01:12:00
How to Meet Your Self Workbook Help … 01:19:12
Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 01:24:42
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Kirsten Cobabe.
In this episode, Kirsten and I discuss parenting teens. There are so many parts of parenting teens, tweens, and young adults during the developmental phases that can feel tricky to us, as well as for caregivers and kids. Teens are not adults; they're also not little kids. It can be tough to know when to intervene and support, or when to back off. And some days it can feel like we are wrong no matter what we do. Let’s explore what makes adolescents at this age tick, the ways we might be misunderstanding what's happening for them even when we have the best intentions, how we can best connect and communicate with them, and lots more tips for parenting teens with Teen Whisperer, Kirsten Cobabe.
Kirsten is a social worker therapist turned coach who supports parents to navigate the waves of adolescence, while learning how to talk with teens by becoming authentically curious and truly present. As an advocate for families for two decades, she helps parents and teens transform their most important relationships from the inside out. She engages families in fostering rapport, cultivating conscious connections, reframing stories and restoring harmony in the home, and believes through raising our consciousness, we can raise the next generation.
Connect with Kristen:
- Insta: @kirstencobabe
- Website: www.kirstencobabe.com
------
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Teen Whisperer, Kirsten Cobabe … 00:01:24
What Makes Teen & Tween Developmental Phase Tougher? … 00:04:50
Biggest Issues Teens Are Facing Today … 00:14:00
Aligning Life with Developmental Stages … 00:20:00
What Types of Anxiety is Kirsten Seeing? … 00:23:00
Fallout of Constant Connectivity … 00:27:46
Sometimes Teens Want to Talk About Big Things … 00:29:35
How to Communicate More Effectively with Teens … 00:31:13
Not Taking Teens Disconnection Personally … 00:35:35
How to Raise Tricky Topics with Teens … 00:40:00
Top Recommendation for Struggling Parents … 00:44:00
Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:46:15
------
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Wendy Suzuki.
In this episode Dr. Wendy and I discuss anxiety through perhaps a different lens. It’s no surprise most kids and adults are experiencing higher than typical levels of anxiety in recent years. We've talked about anxiety in various ways on the show previously. But today, I want to take a bit of a different approach and help normalize the experience of anxiety and the full realm of associated uncomfortable feelings that happen in our lives and in our kids’ lives. Believe it or not, anxiety is important for us to experience, and what we do with our anxiety and what we teach our kids to do can make all the difference between progressing and thriving, or getting stuck and feeling helpless. Let’s dive in to discuss the importance of neuroplasticity and why anxiety can be healthy. Could anxiety be a clue to what we need more or less of to be our healthiest, best selves?
Dr. Wendy Suzuki is the award-winning Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at New York University where she studied as a professor, the effects of physical activity and meditation on the brain. She is also a TED speaker and best-selling author of the book, Healthy Brain Happy Life that was recently made into a PBS special. Her second book, Good Anxiety: Harnessing the Power of the Most Misunderstood Emotion was published in September of 2021, with the paperback edition published in September of 2022.
Connect with Dr. Wendy:
- Insta: @wendy.suzuki
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WendyASuzuki/
- Website: https://www.wendysuzuki.com/
- Twitter: @wasuzuki
------
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Dr. Wendy Suzuki & Anxiety Research … 00:01:45
Neuroplasticity … 00:06:08
Why Anxiety Seems to be a Defining Emotion Currently? … 00:08:20
Thoughts on the New Screening Recommendations for Anxiety … 00:13:00
More Tools to Manage Anxiety … 00:19:00
Better First-Line Recommendations for Support … 00:26:00
Connection of Sleep & Anxiety … 00:29:40
Neuroplasticity & the Brain’s Ability to Change … 00:34:40
Resources, #1 Tip, & Episode Wrap Up … 00:41:00
------
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Sarah Moore.
In this episode, Sarah and I discuss discipline and kids. Now the word discipline can bring up all kinds of thoughts and feelings for parents, often based on our own childhood experiences, beliefs, or things we’ve read about kids and parenting. The reality is, that all kids need discipline. It’s important to understand that discipline really means teaching and guiding, not punishment, spanking, etc., which we often associate with the word. So to help us think about discipline in a developmentally supportive, appropriate, helpful way, I’ve invited expert Sarah Moore back on the show to share about her new book and more of her wisdom around conscious parenting; to help shift our approach and mindset around discipline so that we able to practice it in ways that are healthier for us, our relationships, and our kids’ development.
Sarah Moore is the founder of Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting, and the author of Peaceful Discipline, Story Teaching, Brain Science and Better Behavior. She's a public speaker, armchair neuroscientist, and most importantly, a mama. She's a lifelong learner with training in child development, trauma, recovery, interpersonal neurobiology, and improv comedy. As a Certified Master Trainer in Conscious Parenting, she helps bring joy, ease and connection back to families around the globe.
Connect with Sarah:
- Insta:@dandelionseedspositiveliving
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DandelionSeedsPositiveParenting
- Website: https://dandelion-seeds.com/
- Twitter: @DandelionSeeds5
------
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Sarah Moore & Peaceful Parenting … 00:01:25
Instincts to Sift Through the Outdated & Bad Parenting Advice … 00:05:56
Combining Discipline with Peaceful … 00:08:30
What is Discipline? … 00:10:45
Counterproductive Discipline … 00:14:05
Discipline Kids will Ask for! … 00:19:30
Importance of Storytelling and Discipline … 00:21:40
Importance of Laughter … 00:27:35
Proactive Discipline & Trusting the Process … 00:31:00
Reactive Discipline Scenario: Misbehavior at School … 00:37:36
For the Parent Who is Skeptical or Burnt-out … 00:43:22
Resources for Parents, Book & Episode Wrap Up … 00:46:15
------
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Ryan Judd.
In this episode, Ryan and I discuss the power of music for children and how music therapy can help kids, especially those with any range of challenges. The benefits reach beyond behavior regulation, stress reduction, and communication for all ages. What I love about using music therapy is it’s easy to access, everyone can benefit, and it’s often free. So whether or not you’ve explored the benefits of music or music therapy for your children, I think you’re going to love this conversation with award-winning recording artist and music therapist, Ryan Judd. Both Ryan and I share some of our experiences where using music has provided profound changes and support for development, particularly in nonspeaking or anxious individuals. Ryan shares how to apply music to your life, the vast benefits it provides for all ages and all developmental levels, and how using music for tasks like bedtime or putting on sunscreen can make it go so much smoother! Stay until the end where Ryan gives us a sample of his music!
Ryan Judd lives in Exeter, NH with his wife and two boys. He's an internationally known music therapist, Billboard chart topping recording artist, and ChildLight yoga and mindfulness instructor. Ryan has a master's degree in Music Therapy and Counseling Psychology, and has a private practice in music therapy. His two albums of research-based sleep music for children are the top selling sleep CDs for kids on Amazon, and have both won the Parents Choice Award. Ryan’s soothing instrumental music has reached the Top 10 of Billboard charts and is featured on Sirius XM’s Spot channel. His recordings bring together his skills as a music therapist and accomplished fingerstyle guitarist, and have been streamed more than 250 million times. Ryan is committed to making music and meditations to improve the wellbeing of others.
Connect with Ryan:
Insta:
- https://www.instagram.com/ryanjuddmusic
- https://www.instagram.com/coolkoalabedtime
Facebook:
- https://www.ryanjuddmusic.com
- https://www.facebook.com/coolkoalabedtime
Websites:
- www.TheRhythmTree.com
- www.CoolKoala.co
- www.RyanJuddMusic.com
Twitter:
- https://twitter.com/therhythmtree
------
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Ryan Judd & Music Therapy … 00:1:36
Benefits of Music… 00:06:20
What is Music Therapy? … 00:10:28
Intentional with Music & Bonding … 00:15:32
Effect of Music for Nonspeaking Children … 00:21:25
Teaching Through Music & Music for Sleep … 00:23:55
Making Playlists for Kids & Adults … 00:27:20
When to Play Music & When to Not … 00:33:30
A Clip of Ryan Playing Music … 00:37:10
Music Resources, How to Listen & Bedtime Music … 00:42:15
Episode Wrap Up … 00:45:40
------
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Alexx Stuart.
In this episode, Alex and I discuss how to live a low toxin life. We are surrounded by more toxins than ever before, and they impact our physical and mental health, as well as the health of the environment. Children are especially sensitive to toxin exposure and many parents are unaware that these exposures can be one of the root contributors to common learning, attention, mood, anxiety and behavior issues for children. The topic of reducing toxin exposure and adopting a more eco friendly lifestyle can feel overwhelming and even scary, but Alex, the author of Low Tox Life, is the perfect guest to help us understand the key pieces we need to know about and the simple and practical changes we can start making to improve the lives of our children, selves, and environment.
Alexx Stuart founded the online community and education hub Low Tox Life in 2010 and is responsible for birthing the Low Tox movement with the phrase Low Tox, which has resonated with people around the world. Through the online community published books, podcasts, e-courses and live workshops, leading a Low Tox life is a choice for people to inch forward, doing better for themselves and the planet across food, body, home and mind. Her international bestselling book, Low Tox Life and podcast by the same name have supported millions in achieving their personal, home, and planet health goals. She's a sought after speaker and consultant to organizations committed to change for good, whether it's focused on people's health or the planet's health.
Connect with Alexx:
- Insta: @lowtoxlife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lowtoxlife/
- Website: lowtoxlife.com
- Twitter: @Alexx_Stuart
------
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Alexx Stuart & Start of Low Tox Life … 00:01:30
Our Kids Shouldn’t Be Having Chronic Issues … 00:16:14
Toxins are More than Air Pollution & Lead Paint … 00:20:37
Increase in ASD, ADHD, Chronic Infections, etc … 00:24:10
Low Hanging Fruit: Start with Food for a Low Tox Life … 00:27:30
Why Plastic Packaging & Heating Food in Plastic is a Major Health Concern … 00:30:34
How to Shop for Safer Personal Care Items … 00:39:40
Substitutes for Plastics … 00:47:42
No 1. Pollutant in the Home … 00:49:30
Combating Mold in the Home … 00:56:00
Low Tox Resources & Downloads … 01:01:10
Episode Wrap Up … 01:03:24
------
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guests this week are Dorian Fuhrman and Meredith Berkman.
In this episode, Dorian, Meredith, and I discuss vaping and e-cigarettes. Kids and teens vaping is something is becoming a more widespread problem among younger and younger kids. While it initially was touted as a safer version of smoking, this has been marketed to kids as risk free and fun, the reality is very different. We now know that vaping carries a significant number of health risks, and leads kids on a path toward addictive behavior and substance use that can be difficult to break. Whether you are already aware of this issue or not, it’s an important one to have on your radar, regardless of your child's age. I’ve invited the co-founders of Parents Against Vaping e-cigarettes (PAVe), Dorian and Meredith, on the show to help us better understand the issue, the risks involved, how they are working to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products, and most importantly, how to talk with your kids about it.
Dorian and Meredith are two of the co-founders of Parents Against Vaping e-cigarettes , PAVe for short, a national grassroots education and advocacy organization. They founded PAVe as a response to the youth vaping epidemic, and when they discovered that a Juul representative had spoken to their son's ninth grade class and told them it was totally safe and about to get FDA approval. They testified about this incident in Congress. Today, PAVe has volunteers around the country, educating parents about the dangers of flavored e-cigarette products, and advocating to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products.
Connect with Dorian Fuhrman and Meredith Berkman:
- Insta: @parents_against_vaping
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PARENTSAGAINSTVAPING
- Website: parentsagainstvaping.org
- Twitter: @ParentsvsVape
- Email Questions for PAVe:: info@parentsagainstvaping.org
------
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Dorian & Meredith from PAVe … 00:01:52
Advocating to End the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products … 00:06:20
What is Vaping & Targeting Youth … 00:09:27
Wellness Vapes, Flavors & Nicotine are Equally Harmful … 00:16:23
The Safety & Medical Concerns of Vaping … 00:20:32
Zero Portion Control with Vaping Compounds Addiction … 00:25:40
Health Complications, Underlying Contributor is Vaping … 00:31:55
Addicted Kids Are Often Desperate to Unburden Themselves … 00:34:05
How Can Parents Talk About Vaping with Kids … 00:38:30
A Punitive Approach Only Makes it Worse … 00:41:42
Education & Support for Parents & Educators … 00:46:35
PAVe and Other Resources … 00:47:40
Episode Wrap Up … 00:49:45
------
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Charlotte Markey.
Today we are talking about body image and self-worth for our kids, especially those in the tween and teen years. This is an issue that is increasingly on parents’ radars, especially as we learn more about the impact of social media on body image and the increasing body image issues for kids post pandemic. It can be a tricky thing for parents and other adults to know how to best support kids in developing a healthy body image and to understand the differing needs that girls and boys may have around this. Charlotte and I will talk through current research on how younger brains are extremely impressionable, perceptions of adolescents, helpful approaches to developing a healthy body image, and how to support those that are struggling, including when professional help may be worth seeking.
Dr. Charlotte Markey is a world leading expert in body image research, having studied all things body image, eating behavior and weight management for her entire adult life. She's passionate about understanding what makes us feel good about our bodies, and helping people develop a healthy body image. Charlotte loves to share her body image wisdom with others and is an experienced book author, blogger and professor at Rutgers University. She has created separate resources for girls and boys: The Body Image Book for Girls: Love Yourself and Grow Up Fearless and Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her son, daughter, husband and dog, and for fun, she likes to run, travel and read, but often spends her free time nagging her kids to brush their teeth or remove the cups and dishes from their rooms.
Connect with Dr. Charlotte:
- Insta: @char_markey
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drcharlottemarkey
- Websites:
www.CharlotteMarkey.com
www.TheBodyImageBookforGirls.com
www.TheBodyImageBookforBoys.com - Twitter: @char_markey
------
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Dr. Charlotte Markey … 00:01:28
What is Body Image & Why Addressing is Important for Development … 00:06:37
Marketing Messages in Social & Media … 00:11:03
How Adult Modeling Around Body Image Affects Our Kids … 00:13:17
Not Helpful to Link Food to Weight or Harp on Clothing … 00:16:55
Boys vs Girls and Different Concerns … 00:21:00
Social Comparison & Variations in Physical Development … 00:27:10
First Generation of Social Media & Impacts … 00:30:15
Appearance Culture & Stereotypes with Masculine and Feminine … 00:35:42
Warning Signs of Unhealthy Body Image … 00:39:40
Resources for Parents, Boys & Girls … 00:45:12
Episode Wrap Up … 00:48:10
------
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Melissa Urban.
In this episode, Melissa and I discuss one of my favorite topics and also one of the most asked about: boundaries. Having healthy boundaries are key, not only in the context of raising kids, but for a healthy life in general. Many of us know this, but struggle with the implementation and the discomfort, even though we know having them keeps us safe and sane. So, having written, “The Book of Boundaries", Melissa is the perfect expert to have on the show to answer all of your questions about this topic: how to set boundaries with various people in your life, what to do when your child, in-laws, family, or another adult pushes your boundaries, how to juggle work-life boundaries, how to deal with your own feelings around setting and enforcing boundaries, and so much more.
Melissa Urban is the co-founder and CEO of the Whole30 program, and a six-time New York Times bestselling author. Her highly anticipated new book, The Book of Boundaries was just released this week (October 2022). She's the host of the Do the Thing podcast, a prominent keynote speaker on boundaries, building community health trends and entrepreneurship, and ranks number 19 on the greatest top 100 Most Influential People in health and fitness. She is also a mom and currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Connect with Melissa:
- Insta: @melissau
- Website: melissau.com
- Twitter: @melissa_urban
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Melissa Urban & Importance of Boundaries … 00:01:35
What has to Happen Prior to Boundary Conversations … 00:09:00
Boundaries Help Keep Us Regulated … 00:14:09
When Others Abuse Your Set Boundaries … 00:20:40
Rules for In-Laws, Family, Partner, etc …00:23:26
Setting Boundaries with Work … 00:31:45
The Pushback, When Set Boundaries Aren’t Working … 00:36:20
Setting Boundaries with Ourselves … 00:39:15
Taking Inventory of & Practicing Our Boundaries … 00:43:05
Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:45:50
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Rebecca Burd.
In this episode, Rebecca and I are discussing how to stop bullying. Kids of all ages are affected by bullying and children who are neurodivergent, have other unique needs, or differences are often prime targets for this damaging behavior. Bullying in the age of the internet has become even more of a widespread problem and it’s no surprise it negatively impacts mental health, physical health and overall quality of life. To unpack this issue, Rebecca and I first discuss the prevalence of the bullying epidemic and why disciplinary structures don’t solve bullying, then, most importantly, provide many tangible, impactful solutions that parents and professionals can implement to create a real culture shift, especially in the schools, to support our youth.
Rebecca Burd believes bullying is an epidemic we can end. As the CEO of Create Change productions and the cofounder of Speak Life End Bullying, she co-wrote Speak Life End Bullying, The Musical, an engaging musical featured in secondary schools across the country. Since the first live performance, more than 389,000 students have been impacted. In 2021, Rebecca led her team to turn the production into an on-demand film. Now the fight against bullying happens in any school anywhere, at any time. Today, she's launching a national movement of moms to become Mombassadors so moms can bring solutions by offering the Speak Life End Bullying film and lesson plans to their local schools. As an industry leader in end-bullying solutions for schools for over 25 years, Rebecca and her team create culture shifts in schools across the nation by teaching students to Speak Life for a lifetime.
Connect with Rebecca:
- Insta:@speaklifethemusical
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakLifeTheMusical
- Website: https://speaklifethemusical.org/
- Additional Resources:
mombassadors.org
https://mombasresourceportal.thinkific.com/courses/Mombas-Resource-Portal
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Rebecca Burd & Bullying Epidemic …00:01:28
Bullying Prevalence…It’s Not a Rite of Passage … 00:07:43
Creating Safe Spaces for Kids to Open Up … 00:15:15
Disciplinary Structure to Stop Bullying Doesn’t Work … 00:18:15
Bullying with Disabilities & Invisible Disabilities … 00:29:15
What is “Speaking Life” & NFL Impact … 00:36:27
A Profound Impact on Reducing Bullying in School … 00:40:00
Mombassadors, Dadvocates, & Resources … 00:47:30
Episode Wrap Up … 00:51:32
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Erin Matlock.
In this episode, Erin and I discuss an extremely important and sensitive topic that has been weighing on the hearts of so many with the significant increases in all generations, especially in children. That topic is mental health and suicide. I know it can be an anxiety-provoking thing to think about, and there is a lot of stigma and misconceptions around mental health, suicide, and suicide attempts that we will talk through, but, the main focus today is on the tremendous amount of hope we can have for kids, teens, and adults who are struggling in this way. Parents and professionals truly can play a key role in providing proactive support, as well as effectively supporting survivors.
The clarity, compassion and better understanding you will have after this deeply important conversation is profound. The teaching, lessons, and immense hope are interwoven throughout Erin’s story she shares, so I invite you to listen with open minds and hearts to take away some really important messages, tools, and resources so we can better support those who need help.
Erin Matlock is the founder of Brain Summit, and a globally recognized coach and advisor in the health and wellness markets. She is the author of Worth It, a book of her viral poetry and essays, a life member of Mensa, and a conceptual artist whose paintings hang in private and public collections in the United States as well as internationally. Named one of the top 50 human behavior experts to follow, she's a popular International and TEDx speaker who boldly challenges the stigma of suicide through deeply personal accounts of survival and public recovery.
Connect with Erin:
- Insta: @erinLmatlock
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialErinMatlock
- Website: https://erinmatlock.com
- Twitter: @ErinMatlock
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Erin Matlock & Stigma of Suicide … 00:02:28
How to Communicate & Talk About Suicide … 00:05:45
Secretly Suffering … 00:13:45
Impulsivity & Why Adults Tend to Hold on Longer … 00:23:23
Managing Disappointment & Social Implications 00:28
Warning Signs: Straw that Breaks the Camel’s Back … 00:30:10
Finding Community vs Isolation … 00:45:38
Instability & Suicidality as an Adult & Life Phase Triggers … 00:54:35
Your Answers Will Show Up … 01:12:10
Hope & Tools for Survivors … 01:24:35
Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 01:29:28
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Jen Fugo.
In this episode, Jen and I focus on skin conditions in children and teens, and looking deeper for real solutions when diet and prescriptions are not working or not enough to clear skin issues. Issues like acne, eczema, psoriasis and more are becoming very common, and they can take a massive physical and mental health toll on kids and parents. While conventional medicine offers some helpful tools, many families find themselves frustrated with ongoing symptoms or challenges, which sometimes can be extremely debilitating from the discomfort, pain, anxiety or embarrassment related to these skin conditions. Jen shares many research-based integrative ways to understand and truly get to the underlying cause of what’s going on with skin issues to resolve them for good, so kids (and adults) can thrive, not only physically, but mentally as well.
Jenn Fugo is a clinical nutritionist empowering people who've been failed by conventional medicine to beat chronic skin and unending gut challenges. She has experience working with conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, dandruff, hives and more, with clientele ranging from regular folks to celebrities and professional athletes. She also founded her own line of skincare and supplements, available specifically for people suffering with these chronic skin issues. Jen holds a master's degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and is a licensed dietitian, nutritionist and certified nutrition specialist. Her work has been featured on Dr. Oz, many podcasts, summits, and all kinds of places. She's a faculty member of the LearnSkin platform, an Amazon Best Selling Author, and the host of the Healthy Skin Show.
Connect with Jen:
Insta: @JenniferFugo
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Glutenfreeschool
Website: https://www.skinterrupt.com
Additional Episodes Specific to Kids: https://www.skinterrupt.com/tag/kids/
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Jen Fugo & Journey with Skin Issues … 00:01:23
Limitations in Conventional Skin Care Model … 00:07:52
Gut Health & Potential Harms in Elimination Diets … 00:14:55
Use of Biologic Drugs & Inflammatory Response … 00:23:10
Skin Conditions & Mental Health Connection … 00:30:25
Infections, Rashes, Histamine Intolerance & Topical Creams … 00:35:42
Where to Start with Fixing Skin Issues … 00:43:10
Additional Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:49:00
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Sara Treffert.
In this episode, I thought that it would be fun to flip things around a little bit today, so this is going to be an interview of Dr. Nicole because so many of you write in with lots of questions about me, my life, the work that I do, and of course a lot of behavior related questions! So I’ve invited Sara Treffert, a fellow practitioner, but more importantly, she’s on the team that produces this podcast to interview me about the things that you asked most about! We start with a peek into my background: growing up, family, kids, experiences that shaped my approach and how my clinic evolved into what it has. We talk about on demand resources and then we get into some top parenting questions: how to build trust with kids for parents and for teachers and caregivers, (especially as it’s back to school time as this airs), my answer to “how to get my child to do/stop doing XYZ thing” and tips on how to manage overwhelm. It has always been my mission to use what I know as a parent and professional to support other parents, families, and professionals on this journey while also improving the outcome of our children… So, with that, let’s dive in!
And if you like this AMA (ask me anything) format, please let us know and we can do more of these in the future!
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Sara Treffert & Background of BBS Podcast … 00:01:15
Dr. Nicole’s Childhood & Early Career … 00:02:18
About Dr. Nicole’s Clinic & Family-Based Approach … 00:09:00
Clinic Sees Patients in Person & Via Telehealth … 00:15:40
On-Demand Resources for Parents … 00:19:25
How to Build Trust with New Teachers, Caregivers, Etc. … 00:24:20
Second Component to Building Trust is Listening … 00:33:30
Spotlighting What’s Going Well to Build Further Trust … 00:39:44
How to Handle Overwhelm? … 00:42:42
Dr. Nicole’s Favorite Go-To’s for Nixing Overwhelm … 00:46:39
Dr. Nicole’s Resources, Workshops & Favorites … 00:49:55
Episode Wrap Up … 00:52:28
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Eli Weinstein.
In this episode, Eli and I discuss how to navigate, improve, and rekindle a relationship, especially when children enter the mix. Relationships can go sour real quick when we are not feeling like we are being appreciated, seen, or heard. Add children and it can make a turn for the worst if both partners are not making the relationship a priority. When life gets busy, as it always does, how can you manage raising kids while keeping your partner relationship healthy and avoiding the all-too-common scoreboard mentality? That’s why I brought Eli onto the show, to share his professional and personal expertise on how to avoid and correct relationship pitfalls, particularly while parenting, and especially when we have one or more children who have extra needs. It's challenging to balance all of this, and both men and women can feel misunderstood along the way. The reality is that fostering a healthy relationship with our partner actually helps us to be better parents. Partnered parent, or not, this is yet another episode that is jam packed with nuggets of wisdom, mindset strategies, and resources to support healthy relationships in all areas of your life.
Eli Weinstein is a social worker who has worked in a psych hospital intensive outpatient clinic, and currently runs his own private practice in New York and Nevada. He's married to his wife Ariella, and has two beautiful children, Ricky and Max. He created the Dude Therapist Podcast and became a therapist to create a modern outlook on mental health. Eli has been featured on the Kelly Clarkson show and multiple podcasts ranging from topics about parenting, relationships, mental health, and more. His main goal is to help people on their journey to add support, care, empathy, expertise, and insight. He also runs events, seminars, and individual coaching on a wide range of topics.
Connect with Eli Weinstein:
- Instagram:
@eliweinstein_lcsw
@thedudetherapist - Website: https://www.eliweinsteinlcsw.com/
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Eli Weinstein & Relationship Specialist … 00:01:32
Top 3 Relationship Changes Once Kids Come Along … 00:07:20
What To Prioritize in Your Partner Relationship …00:19:30
Ditch the Scoreboard Mentality … 00:27:30
Importance of the Ability to Acknowledge … 00:34:00
Why Couples Therapy is NOT a Stamp of Failure … 00:37:05
How to Find Therapy You Both are Comfortable With … 00:43:40
Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:48:20
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Anthony Balduzzi.
In this episode, Dr. Anthony and I discuss practical and tangible tips to make health stick. It’s tough raising children, and our health as parents typically gets shoved to the way-side and it’s not serving us or our children. When we feel good, we show up as better parents and humans. With the rates of chronic and physical mental illness issues on a steep rise, one of the ways we start turning those stats around is by taking stock of our own health and how it's impacting not only us, but our families. As a young child, Dr. Anthony lost his hardworking father to cancer, and thus has committed his life’s work to helping busy parents across the world get healthy and stay healthy so they can live vivaciously alongside their children. He shares many of his strategies to make nutrition simple and sustainable, movement more enjoyable and doable, and how to build and maintain a realistic mindset even when you are in the eye of the storm of the chaos of being a busy parent with an aging body and aging metabolism.
Dr. Anthony Balduzzi is a health and weight loss expert and the founder of the The Fit Father Project and The Fit Mother Project. These are leading health and weight loss programs for busy fathers, 40+ and mothers 35+, which most of you fit in those categories. Dr. Balduzzi holds dual degrees in nutrition and neuroscience, has a doctorate in naturopathic medicine, and is a former national champion bodybuilder. He has helped 40,000+ families in 100+ countries lose weight and get healthy through his Fit Father and Fit Mother programs.
Connect with Dr. Anthony:
- Insta:
@fitfatherproject
@fitmotherproject - Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/fitfatherproject https://www.facebook.com/fitmotherproject/ - Website:
https://www.fitfatherproject.com https://www.fitmotherproject.com
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Dr. Anthony Balduzzi … 00:01:35
Focusing on Our Health to Benefit Our Kids … 00:07:50
Health is Intertwined in How We Show Up … 00:12:16
Importance of Adult Modeling to Children … 00:16:18
3 Best Areas to “Invest” in Your Health … 00:19:07
Tips for Sleep for Kids and Parents … 00:22:36
Nutrition, Start with When to Eat, Not What to Eat … 00:26:20
Morning Hydration First! … 00:31:52
What Are Your Healthy Go-To’s? … 00:33:45
Make The Plan Fit Your Life & Situation … 35:51
How to Build a Perfect Plate & Picky Eaters … 00:37:18
Proactive Vs Reactive, Planning Ahead!… 00:42:42
Struggling with Health & Skeptical of Change … 00:46:29
Helpful Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:48:15
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. David Rabin.
In this episode, Dr. David and I discuss innovative ways to support stress reduction and mental health for children and adults. Chronic high levels of stress is an issue for many children and teens, especially those diagnosed with neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions. As parents and professionals, we are also facing unprecedented levels of stress in our personal, parenting, and professional lives. Dr. Rabin shares his novel research and approach to one of the lesser known ways we can reduce and manage stress. What is that? Touch! We talk about innovations to mimic the same positive neurological response, as well as providing ways that support symptom reduction in the moment and build regulation capabilities over the longer term. To me as a pediatric practitioner, Dr. David’s team has developed one of the most exciting wearable devices because it opens up a new avenue of supporting our brains and nervous systems in ways that had been difficult to access previously, especially for kids with more severe challenges. Let’s explore how we can leverage supportive, productive tools and strategies to improve mental health for all of us!
Dr. David Rabin is a neuroscientist, board-certified psychiatrist, health tech entrepreneur and inventor who has been studying the impact of chronic stress in humans for more than a decade. He's the cofounder and Chief Innovation Officer at Apollo Neuroscience, which has developed the first scientifically validated wearable technology that actively improves energy, focus and relaxation using a novel touch therapy that signals safety to the brain. Dr. David is the cofounder and executive director of the Board of Medicine, a nonprofit organization of physicians and scientists establishing the first peer-reviewed, evidence-based clinical guidelines for the production and safe use of currently unregulated alternative medicines. In addition to his clinical psychiatry practice, Dr. David is conducting research on the epigenetic regulation of trauma responses to determine the mechanisms of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and the neurobiology of belief.
To purchase an Apollo device, use code drnicole10 for 10% off
Connect with Dr. David Rabin:
- Insta: @drdavidrabin
- Website: https://www.drdave.io/
- Twitter: @drdavidrabin
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Dr. David Rabin & Psychiatry Research … 00:01:33
Unaddressed Trauma--Most Pressing Mental Health Issue … 00:10:46
Root Level Trauma in Pediatric Population … 00:16:27
Environmental Stress & Oversaturation of Information …00:24:05
Attention System, Touch and Brain-Body Connection … 00:30:51
Neurobiology & How Apollo Works … 00:38:23
Building the Attention Muscle with Wearable Tech … 00:43:54
How to Use Apollo … 00:49:00
How Dr. Nicole Uses the Apollo … 00:57:50
Resources to Learn More About Apollo … 00:59:55
Episode Wrap Up … 01:01:10
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Mike Rucker.
What feeling does the word “fun” evoke? Does it make you smile and reminisce of what brings you joy, or does it make you think “huh, what’s fun?” In this episode, Mike and I discuss this idea of inserting fun, even if life isn’t all that “happy”. We know there’s a big gap in what society portrays and what is real life, so there’s no wonder why so many feel stressed out, stuck, or we are not meeting expectations. Real life isn’t always going to be pure happiness, there will always be bumps and deviations, more for some than others, but any which way your mindset is, our conversation today will help elevate (or insert) fun in your life. Do you feel overbooked, overworked, or overwhelmed as a parent? Simple strategies and mindset reframes can make a huge impact on the quality and happiness level in your life. As parents, we can fall in to “our duty” trap all too often and sometimes can end up resenting ourselves and our children. So what I really enjoy about Mike’s work and perspective, is his realistic and practical approach to evaluating your life activities with a simple, non judgmental tool called the PLAY model. You can co-create fun with your kids and in your own life. We're going to talk about how doing fun things, even tiny ones, support our ability to better regulate ourselves, and ultimately how it supports us in being better parents and better humans. It’s time to stop postponing fun and be intentional with moments of joy!
Dr. Mike Rucker is an organizational psychologist, behavioral scientist, and charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association. He has been academically published in publications like the International Journal of Workplace Health Management. His ideas about fun and health have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Fast Company, Forbes, Vox, Thrive Global, Mindful, mindbodygreen, and more. He currently serves as a senior leader at Active Wellness and is the author of the upcoming book The Fun Habit, available January 2023.
Connect with Dr. Mike Rucker:
Insta: @thewonderoffun
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.rucker.phd
Website: https://michaelrucker.com
Twitter: @performbetter
Episode Takeaways
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Dr. Mike Rucker & Background of Fun! … 00:01:25
Fixated on Chasing Happiness … 00:08:32
Sharing Duties with Our Social Circle … 00:13:09
Having Fun Even When Not Feeling Happy … 00:16:32
Stuck in Problem Solving Mode … 00:20:45
Finding Pockets of Joy with PLAY Model … 00:26:27
We Are Dopamine Addicted … 00:31:28
Pros & Cons of Media Consumption for Entertainment … 00:36:08
Growth Mindset & Co-Creating Fun … 00:43:40
Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:49:52
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Caroline Alan
In this episode, Caroline and I discuss the magic of minerals. Often overlooked and underrated, mighty minerals are incredibly important for health, especially in children for their developing bodies and brains. Minerals affect everything from mental health and behavior to all bodily functions, and that is why paying attention to getting adequate amounts is so critical. We discuss why minerals are important for every function, who is deficient, why we tend to not get enough of them in our diets, which ones are foundational, and types of supplements and strategies. Let’s learn how improving mineral status is easy “low hanging fruit” for children (and adults) who are struggling with any health or behavior-related symptoms.
Caroline Alan is a health survivor and co-founder and CEO of Beam Minerals. Coming from a career in the corporate world, Caroline found herself struggling physically, mentally and energetically. As a result of her journey back to health, Caroline has become devoted to educating people about the benefits of plant-based mineral supplementation. Caroline's research into why minerals are important in human physiology and how they work in the body has taken her deep into microbiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, agricultural soil science, and the study of plant decomposition. In the process, she found ways to help others understand how mineral depletion affects the body, and how plant-based supplementation can support healing and optimal health.
Connect with Caroline Alan:
Insta: @beamminerals
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beamminerals
Website: www.beamminerals.com
Twitter: @beamminerals
Episode Takeaways:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Caroline Alan & Minerals … 00:01:22
What are Minerals & Why Do We Care? … 00:09:17
Culprit for Midday Crashes or Being Wound Up … 00:14:05
Can You Get All Your Minerals from A Modern Diet? … 00:17:43
Minerals Needed to Properly Function … 00:21:03
How Do I Know if I’m Deficient & Supplement Bioavailability … 00:24:24
What is Bioavailability and 3 Main Phases … 00:27:00
The Solution is Right in Front of Us and It's Incredibly Easy … 00:36:24
Importance of Micronutrients: Fulvic & Humic Acids … 00:39:55
Getting Kids to Take Minerals … 00:52:45
Where to Buy BEAM Minerals & Practitioner Resources … 00:55:40
Episode Wrap Up … 00:57:08
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Lisa Lewis.
In this episode, Lisa and I discuss sleep deprivation in teens. This is an epidemic that is rampant in our culture. The “sleep when we are dead” mentality is a public health issue and the negative effects are evident! Teens, specifically, are not getting enough quality sleep and it's something that most adults don't recognize as a significant driver of the physical and mental health issues we are seeing on a steep rise. Although you may be thinking the sleep conversation is a never-ending losing battle with your teen, or a “lost cause” because of school and extracurricular set schedules, we are here to say that isn’t so! The good news is there are actionable steps we all can (and need to) take to address sleep deprivation in the home, school, and community to protect our adolescents’ and teens’ mental and physical development. We first discuss the current landscape and research on the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation and then we move into current success stories while giving many practical tips along the way.
Lisa Lewis is the author of The Sleep Deprived Teen: Why Our Teenagers Are So Tired and How Parents and Schools Can Help Them Thrive, described as “A call to action” by Arianna Huffington, and “An urgent and timely read” by Daniel Pink. The book is an outgrowth of her previous work on the topic, including her role helping get California's landmark law, unhealthy school start times, passed. Lewis has written for the Washington Post, the New York Times, The Atlantic, and many others. She's also a parent to a teen and a recent teen, and lives in California.
Connect with Lisa Lewis:
- Insta: @LewisLisaL
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LewisLisaL/
- Website: www.lisallewis.com
- Twitter: @LewisLisaL
Episode Takeaways
Introduction to Lisa Lewis & Later School Start Time Legislation … 00:01:20
Negative Health Impact on Early School Start Times … 00:05:56
Early School Start Times and Teen Accidents … 00:12:37
Research on Teens’ Mental Health Suffering with Sleep Deprivation … 00:15:35
How Much Sleep Should Teens Be Getting? … 00:20:00
Technology Addiction & Sleep … 00:22:38
3 Main Ways Tech Affects Sleep … 00:27:26
How to Initiative Later School Start Time in Your Community … 00:30:44
Rampant Mental Health Problems for Youth … 00:38:52
Resource & Episode Wrap Up … 00:41:45
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Eileen Devine
In this episode, Eileen and I discuss parenting through behavior and developmental challenges, with a spotlight on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Whether you have a child diagnosed with FASD or not, I encourage you to listen to this conversation as the content and tips can be applied to parenting kids with or without any behavioral or developmental challenges, at any stage of life. We talk about why a brain-based parenting lens is so much more effective than a behavior-based approach, especially for kids with behavior challenges or developmental delays. Eileen’s personal and professional experience with FASD is incredibly insightful, where she shares what FASD does and does not look like, diagnoses, what research shows, and many realistic tips and tools to not just support a child in improving brain development and function, but also helping the parents in the process.
Eileen Devine is a licensed clinical social worker living in Portland, Oregon and has over 20 years of clinical experience. She's also the mother of a teenager with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, a serious brain based disability that has challenging behavioral symptoms. She believes that when we understand the way a child's brain works, we then understand the meaning behind challenging behaviors and begin to see them as symptoms of a child's differences. Through her work with parents, Eileen has created the Resilience Room membership community and the Brain First Parenting Program, both designed to support parents in their unique parenting journey. In addition to her one on one and group work with parents, she also facilitates dozens of workshops and trainings a year and is an instructor for the CASE Institute's Training for Adoption Competency Post-masters certification program.
Connect with Eileen Devine:
- Insta: @eileen.devine_brain.first
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenDevineBrain
- Website: www.eileendevine.com
Episode Takeaways
Introduction to Eileen Devine & FASD … 00:01:45
What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Diagnostic Process … 00:05:52
Outdated Assumptions of FASD Presentation … 00:11:20
FASD, Toxic Stress, & Other Prenatal Substance Exposures … 00:15:40
Common Behavioral Challenges Seen on the Spectrum … 00:18:15
Parenting Children Who are Physically, Behaviorally or Cognitively Impulsive … 00:26:42
Consequences Aren’t Working: Better Behavioral Techniques … 00:30:15
Parenting Tips: A Brain-Based Reframe Rather Than a Behavior-Based Lens … 00:35:09
The Gap Between Expectations and What They are Capable of Doing … 00:40:42
Tips & Where to Start for FASD & Behavioral Challenges … 00:47:15
Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:50:10
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Tara Bixby
In this episode, Tara and I are going to explore mental health from a very unique lens: using insights from older adolescents and adults in both acute inpatient psychiatric settings and the prison system to help us understand what's most important for supporting children who are struggling with mental health challenges. How do we need to think in a more flexible way about the effects of various inputs, experiences, genetic predispositions, and processing problems? This is important because they can all narrow the window of tolerance for individuals creating nervous system issues and dysregulation. We also discuss the problem with society’s medication mindset as the preferred treatment for mental health and we leave you with ideas and tips on how to start building lasting, stable mental health for all, no matter the background, age or developmental challenges.
Tara Bixby is an anxiety coach, licensed therapist, and everyday girl on a mission to change the mental health narrative. After years of struggling alone in silence, Tara broke free from the beliefs and behaviors that were keeping her stuck. Now she helps other women heal their anxiety, regulate their nervous systems and find freedom from their symptoms through one-on-one coaching. She's also the host of the courageously.u podcast, where she has casual, yet introspective conversations with guests covering topics from mental health, hormonal health, body image, holistic wellness, trauma, substance abuse, and much more.
Connect with Tara Bixby
- Insta: @courageously.u
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courageously.u
- Website: https://courageouslyu.com/
Episode Takeaways
Introduction to Tara Bixby & Studying Mental Health … 00:01:24
Mental Health-What We Are & Are Not Getting Right … 00:07:29
Fallout of Failing to Address Childhood Trauma … 00:09:57
Inpatient Psych in Childhood & Incarcerated Adults … 00:13:10
Regulating the Nervous System … 00:19:45
Individual Varying Window of Tolerance … 00:22:28
Why Trauma is a Spectrum … 00:29:45
Effects of Stress & Trauma: From Surgery to Diet … 00:34:40
Why Medication is Not “the” Solution for Mental Health … 00:36:40
Episode Wrap Up … 00:45:54
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Chef Kibby
In this episode, Chef Kibby and I discuss the power of food and connection. When the pandemic hit, his professional career drastically shifted, but what he didn’t know was his lacking relationships with his biological, adopted, and fostered children would flourish. Whether you are a stranger in the kitchen or a trained chef, Chef Kibby will walk you through tips and strategies on how simple it can be to connect with your child through food and cooking together! Sharing experiences not just in cooking, but in and around the preparation of food can strengthen your relationship with your child while also improving mental health, coordination, patience, development and so much more. Let’s dive in to learn how to build lifelong skills and memories that will serve the whole family!
Chef Kibby is a professional chef, parenting strategist, public speaker and online content creator. He has combined his 25 years of food experience with 14 years as a biological, foster and adoptive parent, to create a personal brand dedicated to demonstrating the connecting power of cooking and eating with our children, a mindset he calls “Cooking is connecting.” He has a YouTube channel, podcast, online courses, lots of other stuff we will get into.
Connect with Chef Kibby:
Insta: @chefkibby
Facebook: facebook.com/cookinwithkibby
Website: https://cookingisconnecting.com
Twitter: @chef_kibby
Episode Timeline
Introduction to Chef Kibby … 00:01:20
Finding Connection for Families During Difficult Times … 00:7:55
Cooking is Connecting … 00:13:15
Meaning of Cooking Varies for Everyone … 00:18:20
Opportunities to Connect All Around the Kitchen & Table … 00:21:12
Strategies to Bring Kids in the Kitchen without Overwhelm … 00:25:42
Benefits of Learning Something New Together … 00:28:35
Resistance Around Participating in Things … 00:32:20
Developmental Challenges & Helping with Mealtime … 00:36:58
It’s Never Too Early or Late for Getting them Involved … 00:40:58
Resources and Episode Wrap Up … 00:42:52
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Autumn Smith
In this episode, Autumn and I discuss the hot topic of meat consumption… It’s time to upgrade your thinking around meat and the quality you consume. The issues around agriculture, animal farming, soil health, and more are some of the most pressing of our time. We all need to understand what's actually happening in this realm versus what mainstream media is touting as it's having a major impact on our children now and definitely will impact their future. And that’s why I brought back my guest Autumn Smith to update us and help us understand what's happening in the world currently around meat and how we can ensure the best options for our families while supporting the environment through regenerative practices. Let’s talk about practices (and companies) that truly care about the planet AND the health of our population.
Autumn Smith is the co-founder of Paleovalley and Wild Pastures, holds a Master's in Holistic Nutrition, is a certified Eating Psychology coach and a certified FDN practitioner. Her passion for health began with her own struggles with IBS and anxiety. Despite a career as a professional dancer and celebrity fitness trainer, Autumn’s own health was in shambles. Desperate for a cure, she and her husband stumbled onto the Paleo diet in 2011, and within a month of beginning it, her health was completely transformed. She made it her mission to share the information she learned with as many people as possible. She's the co-founder of Paleovalley, an organic whole food supplement and paleo snack food company. And in 2018, she took things a step further and launched Wild Pastures, a regenerative pasture-based meat delivery service. Wild Pastures make supporting sustainable agriculture and local small farms easy for consumers. On the personal side, Autumn lives in Colorado with her husband and young son Maverick.
Connect with Autumn Smith:
Insta:@Paleovalley
Facebook: @Lovepaleovalley
Website: Paleovalley.com
Episode Timeline:
Introduction to Autumn Smith … 00:01:42
Narrative of Meat Being a Health Problem, is it True? … 00:04:33
Why Meat is Important for Human Health … 00:11:30
Picky Eating & Vegetarian/Vegan Diets … 00:17:18
What’s Wrong with Most Animal Agriculture? … 00:23:13
Problems with the Industrialized Farming System … 00:28:33
How Regenerative Farming Affects the Nutrients of Our Food … 00:33:10
Greenwashing & Buzz Words for Meat Products … 00:38:40
Making Regenerative Foods Available & Affordable to Everyone … 00:42:35
Net-Positive Effects of Regenerative Farming on the Environment … 00:47:00
Discount and Episode Wrap Up … 00:48:15
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Emily King
In this episode, Dr. Emily and I discuss how to navigate educational needs and school-related issues specific to children and their development. We are going to explore how parents can best advocate for their kids, while also supporting the teachers and other professionals who are often working really hard in these environments. You’ll hear about tips and tools for everyone involved–from the children to administrators. We address the need for “mental safety”, simple talking points on how to collaborate and build trust with your children’s educators. Dr. Emily shares techniques for how teachers can implement flexibility in the classroom to better support each child’s individual learning needs while still balancing the required curriculum.
Dr. Emily King is a child psychologist in Raleigh, North Carolina, who has worked with neurodivergent children and teens for the last 20 years. She received a PhD in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has worked as a school psychologist in Houston, TX before starting her private practice in Raleigh. Dr. Emily is passionate about empowering parents and teachers to take care of their own mental health so they can be the best guide for their children and teens as they parent and educate. She and her husband are parents to two energetic boys ages 8 and 14. She's also the founder of Learn with Dr. Emily, where she shares online resources related to raising and educating neurodivergent youth beyond her psychology practice. She's been featured on lots of TV shows, has written for numerous publications, you can find her on social media, in addition to her email newsletter, and lots of other resources that she has available.
Connect with Dr. Emily King:
- Insta:@Emilywkingphd
- Twitter: @Emilywkingphd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilywkingphd
- Website: www.learnwithdremily.com
- Other: www.dremilyking.com
Episode Takeaways:
Introduction to Dr. Emily King & Neurodivergent Kids … 00:01:43
Balancing Required Curriculum with Mental Health & Development … 00:06:45
Importance of Kids Feeling Safe & Connected from a Brain Perspective … 00:13:13
Using a Regulation Roster & Flexible Learning Approaches … 00:17:12
Digging Deeper Workshop … 00:23:30
Problems with Traditional Child Learning Approaches … 00:27:00
Mental Health of Educators & Learning Diverse Behavior Tools… 00:32:50
When Parents, Teachers, Administrators and Kids are Dysregulated … 00:38:40
Collaboration Approach to Build Trust & Understanding … 00:44:40
Resources and Episode Wrap Up … 00:47:22
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
- Youtube
My guests this week are Meredith TerHaar and Joe Graham
In this episode, Meredith, Joe, and I discuss Enneagram, a specific personality type, which turns out to be a helpful tool in parenting. While the Enneagram is very helpful for all of us to make sense of our own personal experience and relationships, it can be especially useful in understanding ourselves more deeply as parents and how it might intersect with our children and their types. The Enneagram focuses on the why and the underlying motivations. We discuss how this personality typing helps us understand the way we experience the world, how we make sense of the things that happen to us, and how we tend to manage our emotions and responses. And to bring it full circle for the audience, we talk about what skills can be developed and what to be aware of for each type. We can use all that information in our quest to become better parents.
Joe Graham lives in Holland, Michigan with his wife Tiffany and their two children. He began his leadership career with Young Life, and also served as an executive pastor with Harbor Churches, a multisite church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2018, he formed his coaching practice, and then co-founded Growing with the Enneagram in 2019. He's trained as a professional coach, and along with that work, he's the director of people and culture at Resthaven, a nonprofit faith-based senior living community.
Meredith TerHaar is a morning news anchor in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She's an Enneagram coach and co-founder of Growing with the Enneagram, which specializes in corporate workshops and team retreats, as well as couples and one on one coaching. She's married to Eric and mom to Marin and Judah, and she and Eric have written several children's books together.
Connect with Meredith and Joe:
Insta: @meredithterhaar @enneagram.grow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeredithTerHaar https://www.facebook.com/enneagramgrow
Website: www.joegraham.work, www.growingwiththeenneagram.org
Other: @meredithterhaar
Episode Takeaways:
Introduction to Guests Meredith TerHaar & Joe Graham … 00:01:26
The Enneagram and 9 Types … 00:03:06
Best Way to Evaluate Your Enneagram … 00:09:10
Gut Triad Enneagram (#8) … 00:12:50
Gut Triad Enneagram (#9) … 00:18:30
Can You Type Your Kids for their Enneagram? … 00:24:15
Gut Triad Enneagram (#1) … 00:27:00
Heart Triad Enneagram (#2) … 00:34:19
Heart Triad Enneagram (#3) … 00:40:45
Heart Triad Enneagram (#4) … 00:45:12
Head Triad Enneagram (#5) … 00:48:25
Head Triad Enneagram (#6) … 00:52:10
Head Triad Enneagram (#7) … 00:55:00
Enneagram Resources ... 00:58:38
Episode Wrap up … 00:59:40
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Trudy Scott, a certified nutritionist on a mission to educate and empower parents and children who suffer from anxiety. She is known for her expertise in the use of targeted individual amino acids, the social anxiety condition pyroluria and the harmful effects of benzodiazepines. Trudy is the author of The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood and End Cravings.
In this episode, Trudy and I discuss the incredible impact that targeted amino acids can have on both children and adults with anxiety when approached with the right guidance. Trudy shares a few case studies demonstrating the use of amino acids such as Tryptophan, GABA, DPA and more. Connect with Trudy online via her blog, Facebook, and Twitter.
Episode Timeline:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Trudy’s Anxiety Story … 00:03:06
What Are Amino Acids … 00:10:10
Anxiety Caused By Low Serotonin … 00:12:15
Amino Acid In-Office Trial … 00:20:31
Anxiety Caused By GABA ... 00:23:55
At Home Amino Acid Trial … 00:25:20
Episode Wrap Up … 00:32:55
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Stephanie Meyers.
In this episode, Stephanie and I discuss mealtime meltdowns and picky eaters. This is one of the most common topics requested simply because we are eating multiple times a day. As parents we are inherently focused on what goes in our child’s mouth for their proper development, but what if we focus on what comes out of our mouths first? If we want to minimize mealtime meltdowns, or the all too constant “picky eater” battles, it has to start with the adults. It’s not about shaming or blaming ourselves, feeding can be one of the toughests parts of parenting, but what we say to our kids about eating while they're eating matters. Stephanie and I are going to share simple strategies you can use today to adjust your “table talk”. These tips are great tools for improving the dynamics during mealtimes and helping your kids (and adults too) develop the skills of healthy eating that they can use throughout their lives.
Stephanie is a dietician, nutritionist, and founder of Families Eating Well, a nutrition practice training parents to coach healthy eating habits in kids. She's also the nutrition manager in the Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and a former instructor in the graduate nutrition department at Boston University. Stephanie presents seminars worldwide on mindful eating, family nutrition, and cancer survivorship and has a new book called End the Mealtime Meltdown: Using the Table Talk Method to Free Your Family from Daily Struggles Over Food and Picky Eating.
Connect with Stephanie:
- Insta: @tabletalkcoach
- Website: https://familieseatingwell.com/
Episode Takeaways:
About Stephanie Meyers & Family Nutrition … 00:01:20
Adult Behavior Change Before A Child Can Change … 00:06:35
What Research Shows When a Child is Forced to Try a Food … 00:10:56
Learning is Anchored in Emotions and Relationships … 00:21:13
Common Types of “Table Talk” … 00:23:38
Feeding Therapy & Conditional Eating Table Talk … 00:29:58
Quick Start Today to Changing Table Talk … 00:38:55
Layering Foundational Techniques Regardless of Developmental Stage or Issues … 00:42:22
Resources and End the Mealtime Meltdown … 00:45:10
Episode Wrap Up … 00:46:07
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is travel expert, Dawn Barclay.
In this episode, Dawn and I discuss traveling with kids and especially families with special needs.
Vacations should be relaxing and rejuvenating, but often, it’s not actually what happens when we take our kids places. Traveling with kids can be tough to navigate, and even more so when you have kids with challenges. Dawn is a travel expert who wrote the book on how to make travel easier when you have a child who is anxious, on the spectrum, or with any other type of special needs considerations. She shares so many practical tips and tools to make vacation more enjoyable for the entire family.
Dawn Barclay is an award-winning author who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry. She started in sales, marketing and management positions with her family's firms, Barclay Travel and Barclay International Group Short Term Apartment Rentals, and then branched out into the travel trade, reporting with senior or contributing editor positions at Travel Agent magazine, Travel Life, Travel Insider Report, lots of others. She is a mom of two and resides in New York Scenic Hudson Valley. She also writes fiction and has leadership roles in several organizations.
Connect with Dawn Barclay:
- Website: www.travelingdifferent.com
- Twitter: @travelingdiff
- Instagram: @travelingdiff
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
Episode Timeline:
Introduction to Dawn Barclay & Travel Background … 00:01:40
Industries Accommodating for Special Needs & Neurodivergent Kids … 00:06:10
Travel Planning Mis-steps for Special Needs Families … 00:09:48
Planning a Child-Centric Holiday … 00:14:50
Scheduling in Parent Enjoyment … 00:17:30
Realistic Expectations for Traveling with Children … 00:19:15
Surprising Tips for Preparing for Traveling with Special Needs Children … 00:27:00
Always Have a Backup Plan … 00:31:32
Traveling Different Book & Resources … 00:32:56
Episode Wrap Up … 00:35:22
My guest this week is Roudy Nassif.
In this episode, Roudy and I discuss light exposure. May is Mental Health Awareness and a topic very relevant for mental and physical health that many do not know or even think about is light exposure–the quality and timing is actually very critical to every aspect of our health. Sleep issues, feeling wired at night, and then fatigued or even possibly depressed feelings in the day sound familiar? What about headaches, focus, or behavior problems? We talk a lot about the importance of food nutrition and the problem with junk food on this show, but a missing piece might just be the light your child is exposed to. We call it junk light or light “nutrition”. Roudy shares his rapid shift in health, the science behind how light affects our biology, and what we can do to support healthy light into our lives to improve our health for ourselves and our families.
For most of Roudy’s life, he spent his nights staying up late, waking up feeling exhausted, unmotivated, and unfocused. And probably many of you when you hear that, you think, “Yeah, that's my kid too.” After visiting many doctors, trying different diets, supplements, nothing seemed to work. Around seven years ago, Roudy's depression became unbearable, and he decided to leave his job as an engineer to embark on a worldwide journey of learning about himself and nature. His experience has transformed his health and life, and his quest to understand this transformation helped him to start studying light, quantum biology, and circadian rhythm. Thus, his company Viva Rays was born. He is on a mission to elevate people's light environment to a whole new level of alignment with nature.
Want to give Viva Rays a try?
Click here and receive 15% off when you use code drnicole. Kids sizes coming soon!
Connect with Roudy Nassif:
- Website
Episode Timeline:
Introduction to Roudy Nassif & Light Nutrition … 00:01:30
Kids Doing Anything to Be “Sent Outside” … 00:08:50
Science of Light: It’s Our Biology … 00:12:50
What is the Right Type of Light … 00:17:20
Problems of Constant Screens & Blue Light in Our Faces … 00:23:24
Circadian Rhythm & Parental Modeling … 00:29:00
How Quick Symptoms Can Shift When in Harmony with Light … 00:36:30
Negative Effects of Artificial Lights in Classrooms, Hospitals, etc. … 00:38:32
Tips for Living with Healthy Light … 00:44:15
Why Windows Can Be Problematic … 00:50:05
Proper Night Time Lighting … 00:51:00
What are Viva Ray Glasses? … 00:55:12
Resources & Episode Wrap Up … 00:59:10
Connect with Dr. Beurkens:
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is just me, Dr. Nicole, chatting with you about some ideas that have been deeply on my mind as I see so many of you struggling with so many things in my clinic and online communities.
In this episode I’m sharing with you the core ideas that actually make the biggest difference in our lives as parents and in our kids’ lives during their growing up years. I have come to the conclusion that we actually need way less than we think we do to help ourselves and our children thrive. In fact, we really need just one, yes one, foundational thing to focus on that allows everything else to come together, that allows us to actually do the things that will best support our children's development without losing ourselves in the process.
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Drbeurkens.com
Episode Takeaways:
What’s Been on My Mind … 00:00:45
Big challenges for Parents … 00:03:10
What 20+ Yrs of Clinical Practice and Parenting Taught Me … 00:06:48
What You Actually Need as a Parent … 00:07:58
Connecting Emotional and Behavioral Regulation … 00:11:52
Context is Everything … 00:17:45
Developing Regulation Capabilities is a Learned Skill … 00:18:40
How to Help Ourselves & Kids Stay Better Regulated … 00:23:50
Become a Space-Maker and Episode Wrap Up … 00:27:10
My guest this week is Dr. Dawn Huebner.
In this episode, we are welcoming back Dr. Dawn Huebner, and this time, we will be discussing how to help kids overcome specific fears and phobias. Most kids develop specific fears about something over the course of their childhood, but these fears tend to go away without requiring any kind of significant intervention. However, some kids get very stuck on specific fears, which can impact all parts of a child's life, and even a parents’ and a family's life. Clinically, we have seen an increase in specific fears and phobias, especially around health-related issues since the pandemic started. Sometimes, we as parents and caregivers can unintentionally make fears worse in kids too, but the good news is, there are strategies, resources, and effective research-backed ways to help kids through this.
Dr. Dawn Huebner is a psychologist, parent coach and the author of more than 10 books for children, including the perennial best sellers What to Do When You Worry Too Much, and Outsmarting Worry. Her newest series, Dr. Dawn's Mini Books About Mighty Fears, speaks with warmth and humor to children who are struggling with specific phobias, while teaching the tools needed to break free. Her books are very practical and they are relatable. They have sold well over a million copies in 23 different languages. She has been featured on many different news and information outlets, and is frequently interviewed by popular parenting magazines.
Connect with Dawn:
Website
Books and Guides
Episode Timeline:
Introduction to Dr. Dawn Huebner … 00:02:08
Criteria for When Fears and Phobias Become Problematic … 00:05:12
It’s the Process Not the Fear Itself … 00:07:35
Parental Accommodation & Unintentionally Increasing Fears … 00:09:45
Typical Behavior Signs of Fears & Reassurance Seeking … 00:12:05
Overcoming with Intentional Exposure to Fears … 00:19:30
Common Mistakes Parents Make … 00:24:15
Overcoming Fears of Animals or Insects … 00:28:00
Developing Self-Talk Helps with Bravery … 00:34:38
Using Fun Facts to Ease Fears & Phobias … 00:36:30
Educational Series for Specific Fears … 00:38:56
Books & Additional Resources … 00:41:35
Anxiety is Treatable & Wrap Up… 00:43:28
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
Youtube
Workshops
My guest this week is Kelsey Torgerson Dunn In this episode, Kelsey and I discuss how anger can be a mask for anxiety in children, teens and adults. Especially as kids get into the teen and young adult years, it can be really tough as a parent or a professional to decipher what is at the root of hostile or dismissive behavior. They may seem like they’re angry, but when we dig deeper, anxiety may be the culprit. When we know this, it helps us to support them in a more effective way while also helping them understand what’s going on inside their bodies. Kelsey shares her clinical observations and top tips for guiding children, teens and parents through the uncomfortable emotions of when anxiety makes you angry. Kelsey Torgerson Dunn a licensed social worker and the author of When Anxiety Makes You Angry. She specializes in anxiety and anger management therapy for teens and college students, and founded her anxiety focused group practice Compassionate Counseling St. Louis in early 2017. Where to find Kelsey:
- Kelseytorgersondunn.com
- Facebook kelseytorgersondunn
- Instagram @counselingwithkelsey
Subscribe:
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally? * My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more. * Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops. * Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
Episode Takeaways:
Intro to Kelsey Torgerson Dunn … 00:01:15
How Anxiety Might Show Up As Anger … 00:04:15
When Your Child Has a Disrespectful Attitude … 00:06:50
Why is Anger an Effective “Mask” for Kids & Adults? … 00:09:58
Guiding Your Child and Teen … 00:12:45
How Cognitive Behavior Therapy Can Help … 00:15:00
A Thought vs a Feeling & 3-Step Process … 00:19:13
Why Kids Go from 0 to 100 Instantly … 00:24:50
When Parents Lose Their Patience … 00:27:40
Perfectionism: Anger Can Be a Close Relative … 00:30:40
Anger is More Socially Acceptable than Anxiety … 00:33:40
Tools and Strategies for When Anxiety Makes You Angry … 00:36:36
Where to connect with Dr. Nicole:
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Kristen Jenson
In this episode, Kristen and I discuss a sensitive but really important topic of pornography, as it relates to our children's safety and wellness. As the amount of screentime has dramatically increased across all ages over the last few years, exposure to pornography is pretty common. Uncomfortable or difficult as it may be to talk about pornography with your children, it's our responsibility as parents to set aside our own discomfort around the topic, so that we can be an accurate and healthy source of information and be a support for them. Kristen and I discuss all aspects of the inevitable exposure to pornography, inappropriate images and videos, and digital safety. We talk about the common questions of, “How do I address this with my child?”, “When do I address it?”, “How to keep my child as safe as possible?”, and so much more.
Kristen Jenson is the founder of Defend Young Minds, and a number one best selling author of the Good Pictures, Bad Pictures, a series of read aloud books. They've been translated into 10 languages and are now augmented by a guidebook for professionals that helps child therapists and educators. She's also the executive producer of the Brain Defense Digital Safety Curriculum, a powerful and engaging video-based course for families and educators. Kristen is a positive voice for raising empowered, resilient screen-smart kids who know how and why to reject pornography. She instills hope and confidence, and leaves her audience with pragmatic advice they can act on immediately.
Episode Takeaways:
Introduction to Kristen Jenson … 00:01:35
Children Being Exposed to Pornography & Sextortion … 00:7:10
Teaching & Modeling Digital Safety … 00:10:50
What Age Do You Discuss Pornography with Children? … 00:12:25
How to Respond When Children are Exposed to Pornography … 00:18:35
Kids Will Feel Ashamed & Be Secretive if Parents Give That Impression … 00:23:00
Exposure to Pornography, Parent Control Limitations, and Development …00:27:40
Setting Kids Up for Healthy Intimate Relationships … 00:35:00
Starting Discussions About Porn vs Intimate Sex … 00:38:28
Addressing Porn Addiction … 00:41:40
Books, Website & Video Resources … 00:45:22
Episode Wrap Up … 00:47:15
Connect with Dr. Nicole:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Kristen Jenson In this episode, Kristen and I discuss a sensitive but really important topic of pornography, as it relates to our children's safety and wellness. As the amount of screen time has dramatically increased across all ages over the last few years, exposure to pornography is pretty common. Uncomfortable or difficult as it may be to talk about pornography with your children, it's our responsibility as parents to set aside our own discomfort around the topic, so that we can be an accurate and healthy source of information and be a support for them. Kristen and I discuss all aspects of the inevitable exposure to pornography, inappropriate images and videos, and digital safety. We talk about the common questions of, “How do I address this with my child?”, “When do I address it?”, “How to keep my child as safe as possible?”, and so much more.
Kristen Jenson is the founder of Defend Young Minds, and a number one best selling author of the Good Pictures, Bad Pictures, a series of read aloud books. They've been translated into 10 languages and are now augmented by a guidebook for professionals that helps child therapists and educators. She's also the executive producer of the Brain Defense Digital Safety Curriculum, a powerful and engaging video-based course for families and educators. Kristen is a positive voice for raising empowered, resilient screen-smart kids who know how and why to reject pornography. She instills hope and confidence, and leaves her audience with pragmatic advice they can act on immediately. Find Kristen Jenson on Facebookand Instagram Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and Workshops.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
- Connect with me on:
- YouTube
*Episode Takeaways*
Introduction to Kristen Jenson … 00:01:35
Child Exposure to Pornography & Sextortion … 00:7:10
Teaching & Modeling Digital Safety … 00:10:50
What Age Do You Discuss Pornography? … 00:12:25
How to Respond When Children are Exposed to Pornography … 00:18:35
How to Avoid Shame and Secrecy … 00:23:00
Parent Control Limitations, and Development …00:27:40
Setting Kids Up for Healthy Intimate Relationships … 00:35:00
Start Discussions About Porn vs Intimate Sex … 00:38:28
Addressing Porn Addiction … 00:41:40
Books, Website & Video Resources … 00:45:22
My guest this week is Dr. Melanie McNally.
In this episode, Dr. Melanie and I discuss how to manage anxiety for teens and tweens in Gen Z. Kids in these age groups are experiencing more stress and anxiety than ever before, even before the pandemic. Research is showing that teens report levels of stress as high as middle aged adults were reporting just 20 years ago. So kids in these age groups are feeling it, and especially after the last two years. And when kids experience anxiety, it impacts their life in many ways. As a parent, you may really feel at a loss to know how best to support your child and help them create better mental health habits for themselves. This is what we are going to be exploring today and providing helpful strategies with Dr. Melanie McNally.
Dr. Melanie McNally is a licensed clinical psychologist who helps Gen Z’ers become the superheroes of their life stories. She provides online support through teletherapy and coaching online programs and books that teach Gen Z’ers how to build self-confidence, manage anxiety and achieve their goals. Dr. McNally founded Therapy Bootcamp, an app-based psychoeducational service for Gen Z’ers to get therapy tools delivered right to their phones. It's an eight week program where they build self-awareness and develop coping tools, all while being able to DM Dr. McNally directly, right up the alley of kids in this age group for sure. Dr. McNally has worked in the mental health field since 2005, and teaches the skills, strategies and tools she herself has used and continues to use.
Melanie has a freebie how-to guide for parents to help their kids problem-solve better. Visit destinationyou.net/freeguide.
CONNECT WITH DR. MELANIE:
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:
Introduction to Dr. Melanie McNally & Anxiety in Gen Z … 00:01:22
What’s Happening for Tweens and Teens Right Now … 00:06:15
When Does Anxiety Become a Problem? … 00:11:26
How Does Anxiety Show Up in Your Child? … 00:16:57
Addiction & Substance Use for Anxiety Coping … 00:22:00
Anxiety Can be Passed Down by Parent Behavior … 00:25:12
Adults Communicating with Children About Their Own Mistakes … 00:28:15
Top Tips for Parents with Teens & Anxiety … 00:29:42
When Parents Recognize Their Child Needs Professional Help … 00:40:00
Teen Therapy Bootcamps, Resources & Wrap Up … 00:43:40
CONNECT WITH DR. NICOLE:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Mona Delahooke.
In this episode, Dr. Mona and I discuss understanding children through the lens of the brain-body connection. Parents, by and large, are often given outdated information, advice, and even strategies about how to navigate challenging behavior and regulation issues with their kids. So today I’ve invited Dr. Mona back to share with us new insights, updates, strategies from her new book that teaches parents what to ask for or to look for beyond just looking at their child's behavior. It’s a guide for how to navigate not only behavior challenges with their children, but also how to get to the root of why they are struggling to regulate their behavior in the first place.
Dr. Mona Delahooke is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 30 years experience caring for children and families. She's a senior faculty member of the Profectum Foundation, and a member of the American Psychological Association. She's the author of Beyond Behavior: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges, and as a frequent speaker, trainer and consultant to parents, organizations, schools and public agencies. Mona lives and works in the Los Angeles area.
Episode Takeaways:
Dr. Mona Delahooke & Early Child Development … 00:01:53
Understanding Brain-Body Connection & Regulation … 00:06:07
Look Beyond “Definitive Answers” or Applied Behavioral Analysis … 00:11:40
Tools & Strategies for All Children, Not Just “Neurotypical”… 00:16:20
Poor Behavior vs What’s Uncontrollable … 00:25:20
Body Budget & Self-Care … 00:30:38
Assessing Your Child Using Color Guides … 00:33:35
Addressing When Children are Checked Out … 00:38:15
Connect with Dr. Nicole:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Ellen Vora In this episode, Dr. Ellen and I discuss the very relevant topic of anxiety. Anxiety is something that every child and every adult experiences at some point in their lives. While anxiety and anxiety disorders are becoming more common, it's also something that is often misunderstood: anxiety is so much more than “just a mental problem”. When we ignore the physiology part, we are missing out on an important piece that we really need to understand and address. Why? Because anxiety is a whole-body situation. The good news is, there are so many ways to support anxiety reduction and treatment that go beyond the traditional recommendations of just counseling or medication. Listen in to learn more about the difference between “normal” anxiety and a disorder. Dr. Ellen and I also dive deep into how we should be thinking about anxiety and holistic ways to approach it for ourselves, as well as for our children.
Dr. Ellen Vora received her BA from Yale University and attended Columbia University Medical School. She's a board-certified psychiatrist, medical acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. Dr. Vora takes a functional medicine approach to mental health, considering the whole person and addressing imbalance at the root rather than reflexively prescribing medication. In addition to her private practice and speaking engagements, Dr. Vora consults for healthcare startups, and has a book called The Anatomy of Anxiety coming out in March.
Episode Timeline:
Dr. Ellen Vora & Anxiety Background … 00:01:45
What is Anxiety and a Diagnosis? … 00:09:00
False and True Anxiety … 00:12:20
Designated Patient Concept … 00:17:30
Blood Sugar, Mood Stabilization & Normalizing Situations … 00:19:41
How Anxiety Might Show up in Kids vs Adults … 00:27:11
Management & Supporting Anxiety Reduction, Starting with Sleep … 00:31:27
Blood Sugar Stabilizing Diet & Alcohol … 00:41:30
Hardwired for Movement … 00:47:45
Addiction to Technology … 00:49:30
Resources and Wrap Up … 00:54:17
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Maggie Viers In this episode, Maggie and I discuss occupational therapy (OT) for children with a parent focus. Traditional pediatric occupational therapy supports child development, sensory processing, integration and skill acquisition in their everyday life functions. However, there has been a positive shift in the OT paradigm to also focus on the relational and nervous system regulation; and a big piece of that is including the parents in the sessions. Though it’s a hard truth to admit, children are often mirrors of your own “stuff.” We discuss how having awareness of our own nervous systems and history, or “triggers”, affect our parenting and expectations. Maggie gives practical tips to understand your own nervous system, as well as your child’s, and what to do when dysregulation occurs.
Maggie Viers is an Occupational Therapist at Thriving Littles. She guides parents undergoing their own evolution by supporting the daily interactions outside and inside of those difficult moments with their kids. She is a mom of four sensitive and spirited kids, all under the age of six. Boy do I get that and feel that. And she's passionate about shifting the paradigm of the way that we view behavior. Maggie is a Korean adoptee and currently resides in Houston, Texas. She's been an OT for 12 years and has a wonderful Instagram account for parents and professionals.
Episode Takeaways:
Introduction to Maggie Viers & Occupational Therapy … 00:01:44
Children are Mirrors of Your Own “Stuff” … 00:05:20
Behavior is the Tip of the Iceberg … 00:09:40
OT for Children with a Parent-Focus … 00:11:35
Dysregulation in Children & Why it Happens … 00:15:50
How to Handle Meltdowns … 00:20:15
Are Your Expectations as a Parent Fair? … 00:24:00
Adult Sensory Experiences Relating to Parenting … 00:28:20
Starting Points for Supporting Parent Nervous Systems … 00:33:10
Managing Power Struggles with Your Child … 00:35:53
Trauma as a Child and Regulation … 00:38:30
Thriving Littles Resources … 00:43:15
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Brendan Vermeire. In this episode Brendan and I discuss the rapid decline in mental health at all ages that traditional mental health evaluations and treatments often overlook or dismiss. We cover the big picture of what needs to change in the conventional model by going beyond prescription medication to better meet the needs of kids and adults with mental health symptoms. We dive into some specifics related to areas like the gut-brain connection, braincell health, stress, trauma, and so much more.
Brendan Vermeire is a mental and metabolic health scientist and researcher, functional medicine educator, writer and speaker. He's a board-certified holistic health practitioner, master nutrition coach, personal trainer, and CrossFit trainer. He's the proud owner and founder of The Metabolic Solutions Institute for Functional Health and Fitness Practitioners, and the Metabolic Solutions Research and Education Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to changing the way the world views mental health through advancing the science of mental health dysfunction. He's also the creator of The Mental Map, which is a cutting-edge lab panel for mental health.
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
Introduction to Brendan Vermeire … 00:01:13
Mental Health Stigma … 00:07:25
Pandemic & Mental Health Decline … 00:11:35
Connection of Mental Health & Metabolic Issues in Children … 00:15:12
Traditional Health Care Disconnection of Whole Body & Mental Health … 20:30
Problems with Normalizing Dysfunction … 00:23:14
Gut-Brain Access & Mental Health … 00:28:55
Stress & Trauma on Microbiome … 00:32:30
Using Monoclonal Antibodies & Pharmaceuticals for Mental Health … 00:39:00
Changing Mental Health Evaluation & Approach … 42:48
Stealth Infections Relating to Mental Health … 45:15
Big Picture for Mental Health in Children … 49:24
Mental Health Testing & Resources … 00:51:50
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Jenna Flowers In this episode, Dr. Jenna and I discuss how to be a conscious coparent. Coparenting is challenging for many reasons and when there is a child with neurodevelopmental, behavioral, or mental health issues involved, it can often add another level of complexity. There are ways to approach coparenting that allow for better communication, emotional wellness, and healthier relationships for not only the adults involved, but for the kids as well.
Dr. Jenna Flowers is a psychologist and Family Therapist with a private practice in Newport Beach and is the Clinical Director of Mainspring Family Wellness, offering counseling services and parenting classes. She offers an online course for coparenting called coparentwell.com. She has written a book called The Conscious Parent's Guide to Coparenting, and is a court-appointed coparenting therapist in Orange County. Dr. Flowers is also the co-host of Mainspring Family Wellness podcast, discussing all things parenting and family wellness. She herself is a coparent to three children ages 20, 13, 10 and a bonus mom to a 15-year-old son, so she's got the personal as well as the professional experience. Jenna, welcome to the show. It's so great to have you here.
Episode Takeaways:
Introduction to Dr. Jenna Flowers & Coparenting … 00:01:21
Is Staying Together or Divorce Better for the Kids? … 00:07:30
Common Challenges Around Coparenting … 00:12:50
Staying “Partnered” as Parents but Not Romantically … 00:19:04
Idea of Conscious Coparenting … 24:33
An Unwilling Ex in Coparenting … 00:27:10
Strategies to Successfully Coparent … 00:30:45
Coparenting Therapy, Custody Arrangements & Avoiding Common Mistakes … 00:36:20
When Coparents are Not Working Together & Court Support … 00:43:00
Seeking Professional Support & Resources … 00:46:00
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Sandy Bodeau In this episode, Sandy and I discuss raising children diagnosed with developmental delays or impairments, and specifically Down Syndrome. In reality, when does the diagnosis explain the cause of the problem? Does it give us hope or does it impair us as parents? If we change our mindset first, we have the ability to change the trajectory of what otherwise may have been a grim outlook for our child because of a dead-end diagnosis. When we know how to advocate for our children and continue to seek solutions rather than just an ‘answer’, we have the power to transform our children’s lives into a beautiful and healthy, thriving life. Sandy is living proof that with the perseverance that all parents innately have, you can raise a child diagnosed with special needs, reach far beyond; to their fullest potential! Sandy Bodeau is an author, advocate, immigrant, TV personality and blogger. She's the creative director of the parenting blog, Mara the Wonder Girl. Sandy is a contributing writer for Today Parents and appears on Univision. Her work has been recognized by Vanity Fair, Lucky Magazine and The Today Show, as an influencer on Instagram and Facebook, Sandy posts daily in both English and Spanish. When Sandy learned that her daughter Mara would be born with Down Syndrome, she knew that together, she and Mara would show the world how special and powerful each individual can be. Mara quickly showed her individual strength and perseverance, as well as her magnetic personality. It was on her first birthday that Sandy launched her website, marathewondergirl.com. The website provides resources for all parents, particularly those who have children with special needs to help them reach their full potential. She released her first book, The Light After Loss in December 2019, it follows her journey to have her second child and the four miscarriages she had along the way.
Episode Takeaways:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Sandy Bodeau & Down Syndrome … 00:01:00
Babies with Down Syndrome Can Be Born 100% Healthy … 00:04:39
Overcoming Hidden Assumptions & Myths of Down Syndrome … 00:09:32
Standard of Treatment vs. Realistic Expectations … 00:12:30
Is the Conventional Medicine Approach to Neurodevelopment Issues Wrong? … 00:15:15
Importance of Developmental Milestones Like Crawling … 00:22:35
Myths of Down Syndrome Development, Thyroid Health … 00:29:26
Standard of Care for Neurodevelopmental Issues … 00:33:15
Getting Curious and How to Advocate … 00:37:55
Bilingual Resources and More Support … 00:40:50
Episode Wrap up … 00:45.23
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Hunter Clarke-Fields In this episode, Hunter and I discuss generational patterns that impact our parenting and specific mindfulness strategies to help us become more aware of how and why we think and act the way we do as parents with our kids. We discuss many tools to be a successful mindful parent, including an “Oh, crap” menu and how to bring more calm and peace into daily life so that we can keep the things that are working well and change the things that aren't serving our children or our adult selves.
Hunter Clarke-Fields is a mindful mama mentor, creator of The Mindful Parenting course, host of The Mindful Mama Podcast and widely followed author of Raising Good Humans, A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting, and Raising Kind, Confident Kids. She helps parents bring more calm and peace into their daily lives. Hunter has over 20 years of experience in meditation practices, and has taught mindfulness to thousands worldwide. She's also a mom.
Episode Takeaways:
Introduction to Hunter Clarke-Fields … 00:01:50
Anger Toward Your Children & Generational Patterns … 00:05:45
Self-Compassion and Unconditional Love First … 13:30
What You Don't Transform, You Transmit … 00:19:55
Not Accepting Negative Generational Patterns as the Norm … 00:25:50
Change Your Parenting from How You Were Parented … 00:32:52
Proactive and Reactive Strategies Take Practice … 00:37:35
Communication & Benefits of Modeling Out loud … 00:41:26
Mindful Parent Resources … 00:47:45
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Jason Campbell In this episode, Jason and I discuss how to stay regulated and be less reactive when things don’t go your way, or when your child is in the midst of big emotions and challenging behaviors. The techniques we discuss are by far some of the most important things we can do to support our kids and ourselves, especially when we are experiencing significant stressors and challenges with our kids or in any other part of our life. So today's episode is dedicated to learning and practicing skills to help everyone be more regulated, mindful, and calm overall. Stay and listen until the end where Jason guides us through an extremely effective 5 minute exercise.
Guest Bio:
Jason's journey into meditation, music and wellness began 43 years ago at the age of eight, when his teacher told him to never listen to notes, but instead to listen to the space in between the notes. He's released over 100 albums, has been number one on multiple billboard and Amazon charts, and has five Billboard Top five albums in a five-month period in 2019. This month, Jason will release his 32nd album in 32 months, titled Zen Piano Correcting Source. Jason is a seventh-degree black belt and co-founder of Zen Wellness. His unique perspective on health, wellness and spiritual growth comes from his lifelong study of both music and the ancient arts of Eastern Health, medicine, meditation, and enlightenment. He is the Director of Music for Genius X Virtual Reality, and writes music and meditation for other organizations, such as Happy ChiliSleep and Focus at Will. His whole adult life has been an effort to combine Eastern Arts, meditation and music. His music and teachings have opened meditation to thousands of people who have never meditated before, or who have tried meditation and failed in their effort to simply sit still and clear the mind. Jason often says, “Be still for one song, five minutes. Close your eyes and breathe with the bell, it can change your life.”
Episode Takeaways:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Jason Campbell, Music, & Meditation … 00:01:25
Thinking Our Way Through Life … 00:07:20
Parents, is Your Headspace is Clear? … 00:10:33
Coregulation & Not getting Stuck in a Mind Loop … 00:15:08
Monkey Mind and Struggling with Thoughts … 00:22:22
Obstacles & Fighting in Opposition Causes Problems … 24:06
5 Minute Breathing Exercise Example … 00:31:40
Satori, a Glimpse or Moment of Enlightenment … 00:39:53
How Long Do You Meditate For? … 00:42:14
Recognizing in Real Life Groundhog’s Day … 00:47:20
Five Element Meditation & Other Resources … 00: 51:37
Episode Wrap up … 00:52:35
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Sarah Appleman. In this episode, Sarah and I discuss fun ways to help picky eaters and children with feeding issues get more comfortable with new foods, how to deal with various issues surrounding food, how sensory issues impact eating habits and preferences, and redefining what success “in the kitchen” really means. Play With Your Food is a game-changer for any parent that is struggling with their child at mealtime and looking for simple solutions that reduce the stress while improving the variation in your child’s diet.
Sarah Appleman is a published author, speaker, and pediatric occupational therapist. She holds a master's degree in Occupational Therapy and specializes in early intervention for children diagnosed with sensory processing dysfunction. She co-owned Paws for Peds in Long Beach, New York, and created a handwriting curriculum utilizing a multi-sensory approach to handwriting. In her newly released book Play With Your Food, Sarah combines her passion for working with the special needs population with baking through fun therapeutic interventions, activities, and tips. She guides caretakers and kids to enjoy participation in the food preparation experience with fun games while improving the food tolerance of picky eaters.
Learn more about Sarah:
Website
Instagram - @PlayWithYourFoodbook
Episode Takeaways:
Introduction to Sarah Appleman … 00:01:15
Pediatric OT, Sensory, and Feeding Issues … 00:04:05
Connection of Sensory Processing & Eating Issues … 00:10:00
Thorough Intake History & Parental Memories … 00:14:16
Bringing Children into the Kitchen Early … 00:17:20
Kids Stuck in Rigid Eating Habits … 23:07
Favorite Activities to Play with Food and Kids … 00:25:54
Plan Activities when Your Schedule is Less Stressful … 33.35
Success with New Foods isn’t Just Measured by Eating It … 00:35:27
Making Comparisons to What They are Comfortable with … 00:39:55
Play with Your Food & Free Resources … 00:43:46
Connect with Dr. Nicole:
Drbeurkens.com
This week’s question is from Janetta,
“I have two kids, one has been diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety. He struggles with regulating his behavior and can be quite difficult to manage at times. My partner and I have been learning a lot from you and others about how to understand what's going on with him and to support him better, but I feel like other people in our life just don't get it. For example, my in-laws refuse to acknowledge that our child has challenges. They don't believe in the diagnosis or any of the treatment or supports we have been pursuing. They almost seem ashamed of it. They blame our parenting and continue doing and saying things that aren't helpful, even though those things are not working well. Do you have any advice on how we can address this? I want to have them in our kids' lives, but it's just so stressful for all of us.”
In this episode, I will address when extended family members, especially your own parents, seem unwilling to accept your child's challenges, differences, or needs. These different opinions in parenting among extended family can be extremely stressful, but let’s first understand the potential underlying reasons for their lack of acknowledgment or support. That understanding then gives you a framework for considering how to communicate and navigate through the differences of opinion and any uncomfortable family dynamics.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line **"Podcast Question."
Episode Takeaways:**
Not a 1-Size-Fits-All Approach to Parenting through Challenges … 00:02:55
Understanding Your Family's Lack of Acceptance … 00:05:07
Recognizing the Source of Their Underlying Discomfort … 00:07:21
Having Empathy for Them is Helpful for You … 00:13:30
Tangible Strategies Starting with Education … 00:17:10
Clear, Open, and Honest Communication … 00:19:58
When to Give Explanations and What to Include … 00:24:10
Be Patient, You Don’t Need Them to Agree with You … 00:25:10
Who Needs to Take the Lead in Addressing Among Family … 00:28:12
Connect with Dr. Nicole:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Scott Donnell.
In this episode, Scott and I discuss how to teach children about money and finances so they can have a healthy relationship with money, develop initiative, be generous, and raise them into responsible adults with the financial literacy skills they need. Finances can be a taboo topic to some and unfortunately, it isn't required in the school curriculum, so as parents, we are responsible for helping our kids learn these skills so that we can minimize problems for them later on. It’s never too late to learn these important life skills, even as adults, with a few easy tips and resources, your child can be fully financially capable by the time they are a teen.
Scott Donnell is a serial entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to both physical and mental health. He's the founder of Apex Leadership Company, a fitness fundraising and leadership program for elementary schools nationwide. Apex has net profited $110 million for schools and now has 55 franchises and 3.6 million customers across the nation. Scott is also the founder of the Hapbee, which is a wearable tech specializing in ultra-low frequencies and can record small magnetic fields from chemical solutions. Its ability to play safe low energy, magnetic signals enable it to replicate feelings, such as happy, alert, relaxed, calm, and sleepy. It's one of my favorite wearables, (maybe we will do a different show on that). Currently, Scott is working on a project called GravyStack, the platform to raise financially capable, generous self-starters. He is also a dad.
Episode Takeaways:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Scott Donnell … 00:01:30
Need for Financial Literacy Starting in Youth … 00:04:00
If You Don't Master Money, it Will Master You … 7:24
Teaching to be Financially Smart, Not Spoiled … 00:10:30
Finances are the Biggest Problem with Married Couples … 00:14:05
Tangible Practices to Teach Financial Literacy … 00:18:30
Using GravyStack or Physical Jars to Teach … 26:50
Quiz to Find out Beliefs You Have Around Money … 00:31:21
Free Business Fair for Kids to Learn Safe Business … 33:56
Adult Resources for Learning Financial Literacy … 00:37:45
Episode Wrap up … 00:43:16
Connect with Dr. Nicole:
Drbeurkens.com
This week’s question is from Alan and Cara,
“We have a seven-year-old adopted daughter who has struggled with all aspects of regulation and development since she came home with us as a young toddler. She has sensory processing issues, major eating and sleeping issues is hyperactive and impulsive, learning issues, generally is difficult for kids and adults to get along with. Raising her has been challenging to say the least, and the ways that we have handled our other two kids just don't seem to be very effective for her.
There are lots of things we could ask questions about, but the issue we are struggling with right now is getting an accurate diagnosis for her. She's been seen by many professionals and has had many labels given like ADHD, possible Autism, ODD, anxiety disorder, learning disorder, feeding disorder, and sensory processing disorder. We are confused about how all these labels can be accurate, and feel like the real diagnosis hasn't been determined yet. She's scheduled to see another clinician next month, and we hope that maybe she can give us a definitive diagnosis. We feel like until we get the right diagnosis, we can't figure out the best way to help her. What suggestions do you have for getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for a child like this?”
In this episode, I will address the parent’s concerns about getting an accurate diagnosis. The most important thing to remember is that chasing a diagnosis can be a life-long challenge with no real end result. But treatment can start now! Though it may seem like it, a diagnosis is not the key to developing an appropriate treatment plan for your child, specifically in the realm of psychology and mental health. Clinical diagnoses have their place and can be helpful in opening doors, but they can also be extremely limiting and get you and your child stuck on the frustrating hamster wheel of no progress. I will talk about how to shift the focus toward progress so you can help your child be their best by looking at symptoms and not getting hung up on the labels.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Episode Takeaways:
How do we get the right diagnosis? … 00:01:15
Getting a Definitive or “Right” Diagnosis … 00:02:23
Concern with Fixating on the Diagnosis or Label … 00:08:17
Diagnosis is Not the Key to Developing an Appropriate Treatment Plan … 00:11:15
Where is the Answer Found? … 00:13:25
What is My Clinical Evaluation Process … 00:17:35
How the Digging Deeper Workshop Can Help … 00:21:45
Connect with Dr. Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Staci Whitman.
In this episode, Dr. Staci and I discuss all things oral health, cavities, and children. The mouth could just be the tattletale you actually want in your child’s life! There’s a forgotten link between oral health and systemic health/immune function. Issues in the mouth can actually be one of the first clues that something bigger might be going on physically or brain-wise that we need to deal with. So helping kids have healthy mouths is about a lot more than just the cavity issue. Dr. Staci and I dive into contributing factors to rampant cavities and other oral health issues we are continuing to see at younger ages. She shares many tips on how to make dental hygiene non-negotiable in an approachable and realistic way, as well as overcoming (and avoiding) anxiety and dental phobias. Dr. Staci provides lifestyle tips, resources, and product suggestions that she uses in her pediatric dental practice that can support your whole family’s health journey.
Dr. Staci Whitman is on a mission to create a world without cavities. She's the founder of NoPo Kids Dentistry, where she takes a whole-body holistic and functional approach with her patients. She attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and worked as a general dentist for two years, and then went on to earn a certificate in pediatric dentistry from Oregon Health and Sciences University. In 2019, she founded NoPo Kids Dentistry, became a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and is a board-certified pediatric dentist and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She has taken numerous courses and training in children's sleep and airway medicine, studying oral myofunctional therapy, cranial-sacral therapy, and is a Breathe Institute ambassador. She's also an internationally certified health and wellness coach, and dreams of a world without cavities, and believes in motivating families to join her as a team, keeping their children healthy and thriving with small, manageable daily changes.
Episode Takeaways:
[00:01:38] Introduction to Dr. Staci Whitman & Holistic Dentistry
[00:06:45] How the Mouth is Significantly Connected to Overall Health
[00:10:18] Why Kids Are Having More Cavities and Oral Health Problems
[00:15:45] Chewing and Facial Development
[00:18:36] Cavities: Causes and Reversal & Prevention
[00:26:00] Tips for Brushing and Flossing for Kids
[00:32:06] Reducing Anxiety & Phobias Around Dentist Visits
[00:36:40] Systemic Health & Airway Health
[00:41:26] Deep, Oxygenated Quality Sleep is Foundational
[00:43:24] Oral Microbiome Importance
[00:46:43] Resources and Episode Wrap Up
Connect With Dr. Nicole:
Drbeurkens.com
This week’s question is from Erica,
“I’m wondering how to deal with the inevitable disappointments that come from my kids when they get gifts sometimes. They are six and nine years old, and it seems like every time a fun event or season comes around, there ends up being disappointment, tears, and even temper flares. They get ideas in their head about how things will be and not everything works out that way. Or they have all kinds of things they want for gifts, but they don't get all of them. We just went through this for Christmas, and now they have birthdays coming up in the next two months, and I don't want a repeat. How can I help them handle the disappointment better?”
When a child seems "ungrateful" or "spoiled" after receiving a gift, it can be embarrassing for the parent. But what's really going on when a child expresses disappointment when receiving gifts? It's not that they are spoiled or that there is a lack of gratitude, but rather an issue of reacting to disappointment.
I'll break down what your child might be going through and how to deal with it in the moment. And more importantly, how to preemptively ease any potential let-downs ahead of time and navigate through embarrassment or discomfort should a negative reaction occur from your child in a group or home setting.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Episode TimelineFeelings of Disappointment Doesn't Equal Spoiled … 00:01:55
Parenting Through a Child Expressing Disappointment … 00:04:00
Tips for Handling a Child's Disappointment … 00:07:56
Questions to Preview with Your Child … 00:09:57
Problem-Solving Approach for When Disappointment Occurs … 00:14:15
When a Child has a Negative Reaction in the Moment … 00:19:12
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Josh MacNeill. In this episode, Josh and I discuss teaching children how to manage stress and the ways in which stress affects brain development in children. There is a stronger need now, more than ever, for adults to understand how stress impacts a child's brain. Stress affects a child's ability to function in all areas of their life—developmentally, academically, socially, and behaviorally. So we are going to first discuss stress tolerance, how stress can vary, the capacity for stress, what stress looks like through the lens of a child, and then wrap up by exploring ways in which we can help children become more resilient when encountering stress both in school and at home.
Josh MacNeill began his career as a high school English teacher in an alternative school just outside of Philadelphia. While he was teaching, his organization began to take steps towards becoming a more trauma-informed school and Josh was an early adopter. He saw a lot of success utilizing brain-based and trauma-informed strategies in his own classroom, and quickly found himself with opportunities to train other teachers on the approaches he was using. In 2015, Josh shifted out of the classroom and became the director of Neurologic by Lakeside, a program focused on transforming schools to become more trauma-informed and neurodevelopmentally supportive environments for all learners. (Love that.) Since then, Josh and his team have had the privilege of working with tens of thousands of individuals across the world. Additionally, Josh is an adjunct professor in Eastern University's MD program and published the book 101 Brain Breaks and Brain-Based Educational Activities. Josh, thanks so much for being here. It's great to have you with us today.
Episode Takeaways
What is Stress & How it Impacts the Brain … 00:07:10
“Stress” is in the Eye of the Beholder ... 00:12:25
What is the Root of the Stressors? … 00:17:38
Building Stress Tolerance & Tips … 00:18:30
Finding Individual Stress Sweet-Spots … 27:22
Empathy for Variance in Stress Capacity … 00:31:00
Adults Being Transparent & Vulnerable … 00:36:40
Neuroplasticity: Ability for the Brain to Change … 00:40:18
Recognizing Individual Approaches to Stress … 00:44:58
Professional and Parental Stress Resources … 51:05
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
This week’s question is from Adrienne,
“My 10-year-old son is virtually impossible to wake up and get going in the mornings. He is struggling to get out of bed and can't seem to wake up easily no matter what we do. This turns into a big argument, struggle, and stress for me and my husband every day. My husband tries to threaten and punish, which I don't think is helpful, and then he and I get into an argument about it. I just want my son to do what he needs to do with getting up and going without all of the morning drama. I'm not sure if there's something physically wrong or another issue we need to look at, but I'm worried about what's going to happen to him in the future if he doesn't learn to wake up on his own.”
In this episode, I will address how to get your groggy or resistant child going in the morning. Trying to get everyone out the door in the morning can be stressful, especially when you have a child that struggles to get up. It can cause a lot of problems not just for the child but also between parents and siblings. Sure, some people are just biological early birds but for others not so much. There could also be some other things going on that are interrupting sleep which would make it difficult for your child to wake up early. I’ll give you some tips on what to investigate to see if perhaps it’s a sleep issue. If you have a child who is groggy, resistant, or slow to start in the mornings, this is the episode to listen to for tips to get “up and at’em” without the struggle or drama! (Hint: these tips aren’t just for sleepy kids either!)
Episode Timestamps
Sleep Cycles & Morning Grogginess … 00:01:33
Parenting Approaches Between Parents … 00:04:14
Is Sleep Quality a Potential Root Cause? … 00:06:30
Evaluating Bedtime & Sleep Hygiene … 00:08:50
Nutrition, Supplements, Medication & Sleep … 00:10:12
Talk with Your Child About Their Observations … 00:14:25
Strategies for Difficult Mornings … 00:17:42
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Dan Gubler.
In this episode, Dr. Dan and I discuss the power of plants for supporting brain function, behavior, ADHD, sleep, anxiety, and more. We talk specifically about how the bioactive compounds in plants, called phytonutrients, can be used therapeutically to improve specific symptoms and their necessity in overall health through diet. Plants used for medicine is anything but a new concept, however, more education in this area is needed for parents to feel confident in trying plant-based therapies for their children. So Dr. Dan and I cover what to look for in a quality supplement, safety with plant-based medicine, and concerns when combining natural supplements together or with other medications.
Dr. Dan Gubler is a natural product chemist that has traveled to every continent, discovering and researching bioactive compounds in plants and using them to help others. He has 16 patents and has developed 70 nutritional supplements. He is an expert on how phytonutrients can improve health conditions. He is a member of the London Speaker Bureau, has spoken at over 150 events in 40 countries, and is co-founder and chief scientific officer at Brilliant, an innovative proactive wellness company that creates nutritional supplements to help people unleash their innate brilliance. He is also the host of Discover with Dr. Dan, the proactive health podcast.
Episode Timestamps:
Plant Compounds and Phytonutrients … 00:05:38
When Pharmaceuticals are Necessary … 00:09:38
Bioactive Compounds Plants & Anxiety … 00:11:39
Quality Standards to Look for in Supplements … 00:15:24
CBD, Hemp, Cannabis … 00:18:00
Safety and Awareness of Mixing Plant Compounds … 00:24:25
ADHD, Anxiety and PMDD: Supplements and Plant Compounds … 00:27:00
Therapeutic Dosage May Vary from Bottle Dosage … 00:31:27
Autism Spectrum Disorder & Natural Compounds … 00:33:27
Sleep Supplements & Kids … 00:36:06
Compounds for Mood & Emotional Balance … 00:37:52
Phytonutrient Resources … 00:41.54
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Ellen Gottlieb
In this episode, Ellen and I discuss what it means to be a conscious parent and self-aware person. This is an episode for everyone, not just those with atypical neurodevelopmental children. We talk about bringing a level of awareness to our relationships with our kids, to the approaches that we take with them that allow us to have a deeper, respectful, connected relationship so they can grow into the people they are meant to be in this world. You will find that this actually involves us as adults doing a lot more work on ourselves: with our ego, reactivity, unconditional love, reflection, and presence than it is with our kids. Our children will be okay if we are okay.
Ellen Gottlieb is an attorney and certified Conscious Parenting Coach. She coaches parents and individuals, teaching them how to live a more mindful, joyful life. Ellen recently published her new book called “How to Raise a Parent: Becoming A Conscious Parent In An Unconscious World.” She has been successfully guiding parents as she teaches them to shed their entrenched patterns and create deeper connections with their children, which fosters self-confidence and reduces anxiety.
Episode Timestamps:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Ellen Gottlieb from Attorney to Parenting Coach … 00:03:04
Conscious Humans & Mountain Awareness … 00:07:49
What Does it Mean to Be a Conscious Parent … 00:10:12
Separating Our Stories and Accepting What Life Actually Brings … 00:14:15
Hurt, Punishment, Fear and Control in Parenting … 00:17:55
Raising Ourselves as Parents … 00:22:43
Direct and Intergenerational Trauma … 00:25:48
Fearing a Child Won’t Outgrow Behavioral Challenges … 00:29:19
Where to Start with a Conscious Toolbox … 00:32:02
Recognizing Fear, Honoring Special Time and Presence … 00:37:32
Becoming A Conscious Parent In An Unconscious World … 00:43:55
Episode Wrap up … 00:45:24
Follow Dr. Nicole:
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Priscilla,
“I have two daughters, ages 9 and 12, and both are begging to get an iPhone for Christmas this year. My husband and I have somewhat different opinions on this. I'm less comfortable with it than he is. I know there are lots of concerns with kids having their own phones, and honestly, it just feels like one more major thing that's going to be left for me to manage. I'm wondering your opinion on smartphones for kids and when is the right age to get them.”
In this episode, I will address age-appropriate smartphones. At some point, all parents will have to deal with deciding when it is appropriate to buy a smartphone for their child. Although there are no hard and fast rules for when it is appropriate, there are many things to consider. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of smartphones, criteria, and questions to help you decide when your child may be developmentally ready to handle the responsibilities of a phone, and once that is decided, how to set expectations, boundaries, and monitoring of the devices.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Episode Timestamps:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Listener’s Question … 00:00:48
Benefits of Smartphones for Kids … 00:02:27
Negative Sides of Smartphones for Kids … 00:04:25
Age Appropriate Time for a Smartphone … 00:08:05
Checklist for Assessing Readiness of Your Child … 00:09:55
Developing Guidelines for Smartphone Usage … 00:19:50
Nighttime Rules for Phone Usage … 00:20:07
Being Open with Monitoring Apps and Expectations … 00:22:38
Better Behavior in a Digital World Workshop & Episode Wrap up… 00:24:57
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Robyn Gobbel
In this episode, Robyn and I discuss how trauma impacts brain development and brain function in kids. We talk about what trauma can mean, from big T to little t, how adoption is a traumatic experience through a child’s eyes, and the neuroscience of what trauma is doing to the brain. We also discuss looking past the “meaning” of the surfaced behavior(s) and how past traumas can impact all aspects of well-being: regulation, connection, health, and safety. And of course, we wrap up with ways parents and caregivers can better regulate themselves, kids, and their families in these situations.
About the Guest:
Robyn is a licensed clinical social worker who loves coffee, pink, and everything about the brain. Once, fairly recently, her teenager went ballistic on her for getting another glitter coffee mug in the mail. Robin loves cultivating deep, resonant connections with anyone who is up for it, and is especially fond of all the grownups in the world who love and care for kids impacted by trauma: Helpers, healers, educators, and parents. Her favorite thing is teaching anyone who will listen to harness the power of neuroscience so they can cultivate deep resonant connections. This would change the world if we could all do that: To be seen, to be with, feel and deeply know each other and ourselves. Robyn really believes that this can change everything.
Episode Timestamps:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction of Robyn Gobbel & Working in Childhood Trauma … 00:01:35
What Does Trauma All Include? … 00:06:30
Big T Trauma vs Little t Trauma … 00:09:30
Adoption Process as Traumatic in the Eyes of Kids … 00:12:42
How Trauma Impacts Behavior of Kids & Development … 00:17:09
Looking Deeper, Past the Surface Behaviors … 00:25:11
Trauma Affects Regulation, Connection, Health, & Safety … 00:26:50
Ability to Regulate and Impaired Regulatory Circuits … 00:28:00
The Power Professionals Hold … 00:35:23
Tangible Solutions for Parenting Kids with Trauma … 00:37:15
Are Consequences Appropriate for Bad Behavior? … 00:48:00
Resources for Parents & Professionals … 00:50:52
Episode Wrap Up … 00:53:15
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Tiffany,
“I’m really struggling with managing my two kids in the after-school time period. My nine-year-old has autism and his teachers tell me he does fine in school, but the minute he gets home, it's just one problem after another, it's like he's a different kid. My daughter is six, and also seems to get really worked up after she gets home from school. Maybe it's because of her brother. I'm not sure. I feel like I'm not doing a very good job managing them during this time. It’s creating a lot of stress for all of us. I just try to get through to the point where we can have dinner and they can go to bed. I don't get why they can have a good day at school and then come home and it's like this. Please help.”
In this episode, I will address a phenomenon called school-restraint collapse and the many things you can do about it. After school time can be tricky for everyone, I hear from parents all the time that kids have a great day at school, but the moment they get home, or in the car, it starts the cascade of endless meltdowns and fights. Why do they turn into a hot mess? We talk about how to work through this and more importantly, how to prevent it.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
My guest this week is Dr. Natasha Beck
In this episode, Dr. Beck and I discuss some of the biggest offenders in terms of nutrition, food for kids, and how it impacts their brain function. As we are coming out of the pandemic, let’s take an honest look at our family’s physical and mental health–what simple changes can we implement to feel and perform at our best? We start with the basics on how to realistically improve nutrition and lifestyle, including non-toxic living, so that every family is empowered to make healthy decisions.
About Dr. Beck:
Dr. Natasha Beck is a parenting expert and founder of Dr. Organic Mommy, an online resource focused on pregnancy, parenting, and non-toxic living. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Pediatric Neuro-psychology, and a Master's in Public Health specializing in Child and Family Health. She's also certified in leadership education and neurodevelopmental disabilities from Children's Hospital Los Angeles. From how to handle tantrums to mealtime difficulties to helping families live healthier lives, Dr. Organic Mommy aims to help every family make healthy decisions, drawing on her experience as a mom and a parenting expert. Her parenting expertise combines the use of Waldorf, Montessori, and RIE philosophies, all of which we have covered at various times on the show, tied into cognitive-behavioral and play therapy. When she's not working on Dr. Organic Mommy, Natasha is busy raising her three children, and she's got another, a fourth on the way, and her two fur babies with her husband, and serves on the board of various organizations.
Episode Timestamps:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Dr. Beck … 00:01:12
Dr. Beck’s Background—ADHD and Effects of Diet … 00:02:48
Biggest Knowledge Gaps on Food & Lifestyle … 00:05:23
2 Biggest Offenders in “Kids Food” … 00:07:28
Chronic Health Issues Associated with Sugars and Overconsumption … 12:47
Practical Ways to Reduce Sugar … 00:16:38
Taking Baby Steps to Decrease Sugar … 00:22:33
Best Kid-Friendly Snacks to Have On-Hand … 27:20
Should You Avoid Juice? … 00:31:19
Snacks are the Easiest to Transition to Start With … 00:36:45
Preservatives, Dyes, and Chemicals Hiding In Our Food … 00:38:58
Food Additives on the Gut, Oral, Brain, and Overall Health … 00:43:32
Social Toxins Can be Worse than Chemical Ones … 00:45:35
Episode Wrap up & Resources … 00:47:00
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Marcus,
“I need ideas for how to manage meltdowns with my son who is seven years old. He is autistic and also has a history of trauma and has been given lots of other labels too. When he gets upset, he literally melts down, and I really don't know how to calm him. He doesn't respond to things like offering a treat or threatening punishment, and I'm really not sure what to do to help.”
In this episode, I will address how to effectively handle meltdowns, tantrums, and challenging behavior, which are tools all parents need! First, we need to understand what a meltdown really is and then we will dive into many strategies: starting with where parents and caretakers often go wrong, and how using a “bottom-up” approach is much more effective. I will give you tips and suggestions for all aspects of the meltdown process, as well as helpful reminders for yourself and for when they are transitioning into a more regulated state.
My guest this week is Dr. Kim Swales
In this episode, Dr. Kim and I have a candid conversation about all things life— We discuss tips on co-parenting and setting boundaries, partnerships, obligations, burnout, values, and so much more! In a society that is on edge more than ever before, Dr. Kim shares powerful, wise, insights on how to gracefully navigate through the opposition we feel.
Dr. Kim earned her PhD in Marriage and Family Communication with a concentration in counseling from Ohio University over 27 years ago. She then went on to do postdoctoral studies in counseling. Dr. Swales was formerly a researcher and college professor at the University of Houston, but is now in private practice as a parenting, marriage, relationship, and life coach. She has published research on gender communication, friendship, family, and marital communication, and relationship maintenance. She speaks to schools and organizations several times a year on parenting relationships and marriage. And on the personal side, she has been married for 25 years and has three children of her own, so she brings a real-life perspective, to her practice, and certainly to the things that we are going to talk about today.
Timestamps:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Dr. Kim Swales Introduction … 00:01:05
Communication & Getting on the Same Page with Your Partner … 00:05:35
Head & Assistant Coach Position Analogy in Parenting … 00:12:45
Sharing Responsibilities & Avoiding Burnout … 00:17:20
Signs Parents May Need Professional Communication Support … 00:20:08
Adjusting & Being Firm with Family Values, Time & Traditions … 00:29:05
How to Set Boundaries with School and Homework …00:32:47
Stop Getting Sucked into Everyone’s Everything … 00:38:35
Navigating Through an On-Edge Society … 00:42:08
Episode Wrap Up & Resources … 00:47:56
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Izzy,
“What are some nutrient-dense, and at least kind of kid-friendly foods I can try to incorporate into my child's diet? My three kids range from somewhat picky to super picky and we are working on getting comfortable with new foods. I would like to try to incorporate some new foods that have better nutrient density, any recommendations?”
In this episode, I will address picky eaters and 7 of my top foods/food categories that I find are the most kid-friendly, nutrient-dense, readily available, and easy to prepare. First, I'm going to define "nutrient-dense foods" and why whole foods are essential in brain and body development. Then I will discuss each of the 7 foods/food categories, the nutrients they contain, and why they are good options.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
Episode Timestamps:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Listener’s Question … 00:01:12
What is Nutrient Density? … 00:02:12
Exposing Picky Eaters to Nutrient-Dense Foods … 6:02
7 Nutrient-Dense Foods, Starting with Blueberries … 00:08:35
Versatile and Nutrient-Packed Avocado … 00:12:50
Pumpkin Seeds as a Hero Food … 00:16:06
Getting in Animal Proteins with Kids … 00:18:32
Nutrients and Ways to Incorporate Dark Leafy Greens … 00:23:18
Variety of Nut Choices and Ways to Use Them … 00:24:05
Sweet Potatoes Have Endless Possibilities … 24:58
Episode Wrap up … 26:40
My guest this week is Dr. Chris Winter
In this episode, Dr. Chris and I discuss the importance of his new book, The Rested Child: Why Your Tired, Wired or Irritable Child May Have a Sleep Disorder and How To Help.
Learn more about the prevalence of sleep disorders in children, the detriment it has on life-long health, the frequency of dismissal in the medical community, and what it actually means to have disordered sleeping versus just a bad night of sleep. Most importantly, we discuss the warning signs in behavior and development that may be a signal to investigate sleep with your primary care providers and various sleep specialists.
Episode Timestamps:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Introduction to Dr. Chris Winter … 00:01:28
Appreciating & Recognizing if You Sleep Well … 00:05:15
What is Considered a Sleep Disorder in Kids? … 00:13:30
What Should Our Kids’ Sleep Look Like? … 00:19:38
Clear Red Flags of Sleep Issues … 00:23:15
Neurodevelopmental Challenges and Sleep … 00:32:00
Investigating Sleep Issues with Care Providers & Sleep Specialists … 00:34:40
Options for Sleep Support … 00:43:45
Sleep Education & Lifestyle Habits … 00:48:30
Episode Wrap up & Resources … 00:50:40
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens:
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Emma,
“I’m struggling with my sixth-grade daughter who refuses to ask for help, even when it's obvious she needs it. This is becoming a major issue with school assignments as she is encountering some material she doesn't instantly understand. It's also an issue at home with various things, as she'll say she understands something and knows what to do, but then it becomes clear she actually doesn't. I have tried talking with her about it, I tried reassuring her that we all need help sometimes, and it's okay to ask, but beyond that, I'm just not sure what else to do. Any suggestions are welcome.”
In this episode, I will address how to help kids when they are resistant to asking for help or have a low tolerance for making mistakes. As adults, we can teach them how to overcome any uncomfortable feelings by modeling in ways that show them it is a normal part of life even as adults. I will give you many scenarios and tips to do just that in the home, at school, or in public settings.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Timestamps:
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Listener’s Question … 00:00:50
Acknowledging Emotions Around Asking for Help … 00:01:50
Allow Kids to Sit with Their Feelings … 00:04:50
Normalizing Mistakes & the Associated Feelings … 00:06:15
Modeling Mistakes & Working Through Them … 00:08:36
Praising and Spotlight Efforts in Hard Things … 00:10:52
Start Practicing Mistakes When Stakes are Low … 00:12:40
Give the Opportunity for the Child to Be in the Helper Role … 00:15:43
Embarrassment Around Asking for Help … 00:17:44
Episode Wrap up … 00:19:35
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Madiha Saeed
In this episode, Dr. Madiha Saeed and I discuss why there has been an explosion of autoimmune diseases not only in adults but also in children. These diseases have a huge impact on the quality of life far beyond just the physical aspects that conventional medicine hasn’t been able to effectively address. There is hope!
We discuss how families can overcome and thrive with autoimmune diseases. Dr. Madiha, a mom of four, is living proof that declining health doesn’t have to be part of our life span. She shares incredibly helpful tips and effective strategies that any family can implement regardless of where they are in their health journey.
Episode Timestamps
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Dr. Madiha Saeed Introduction … 00:01:45
What is Autoimmunity? … 00:09:00
Why is Autoimmunity on the Rise? … 00:16:30
What is Holistic Parenting? … 00:22:45
A Holistic Approach to Restoring Balance … 00:27:38
Positivity is Powerful Medicine … 00:30:50
Food, Nutrition, and Autoimmunity … 00:32:45
Make Changes Fun, Not Overwhelming … 42:45
Resources for the Family … 00:47:15
Episode Wrap up … 00:49:18
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Carrie,
“I really struggle with my own sensory needs when my kids get loud and upset, especially when it goes on for a while. I have auditory sensitivities, and I just feel overwhelmed when they are crying and carrying on. How do I meet my own sensory needs when my kids are getting loud and chaotic?”
In this episode, I will address effective tools and strategies for adults when they experience sensory processing overload due to their children being dysregulated, loud, etc. We often only think about the child and their emotions when they are dysregulated, but it is just as important for us to check in on our own emotional state. Sensory processing disorder in adults is common to some degree. Even if it isn't a diagnosed disorder, it's likely that most parents struggle with this at some point. Whether you've been home with the kids all day or you've come home from a stressful day at work, it can feel like major overload for parents when their children are dysregulated and upset. The simple strategies I discuss in this episode should help!
Episode #57 and episode #62 (about EFT) are full of really great resources as well.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Listener’s Question … 00:00:55
Parents Struggle with Sensory Processing Disorder Too … 00:01:20
When Kids Get Louder, Parents Need To Get Quieter … 00:03:20
How To Mitigate Auditory Sensitivities for Parents … 00:06:15
Vagus Nerve Reset Activities … 00:08:22
Proprioceptive Input & Tapping … 00:10:50
When Parents Need to Step Away … 00:13:08
Episode Wrap up … 00:14:30
My guest this week is Mark Brown. Ever since winning a region-wide poetry contest in fourth grade, coastal Virginia native Mark Brown, has been orbiting the world of writing. After graduating with a degree in film and settling down in Nashville, Tennessee, Mark found a niche creating healthcare-based video ads, but after a few years found that that kind of life didn't pair well with his life as a dedicated father. So, he decided to do a major change and apply his talents to the world of children's books, more specifically to the Zen Pig Universe. Mark wanted his son Noble to learn the life-changing power of values like gratitude, mindfulness, self-forgiveness way before he did. Quickly, Mark found that he wasn't alone. Zen Pig was a breakaway hit, helping parents articulate sometimes abstract concepts into easy-to-understand language, paired with beautiful minimalist art. The Zen Pig Universe continues to grow each year with 12 titles already available, and more releasing soon!
In this episode, Mark and I discuss how mindfulness, gratitude, and self-forgiveness are superpowers for adults and kids. More than ever, we need these simple tools that help us stay in the moment. The Zen Pig books have taken these concepts and whittled them down to the most concise, acute gems that are accessible and useful for all ages.
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Mark Brown & Making Mindfulness Accessible … 00:01:15
Children are Innately Present … 7:08
Zen Pigs for Any Age … 00:12:25
How to Be Present & Compound Effect of Mindfulness … 00:16:40
Inserting Gratitude … 00:24:50
Flipping Kids to a Positive Outlook with Enjoyable, Peaceful Content … 00:30:20
Future of Zen Pigs … 00:35:10
Zen Pigs and Free Resources … 38:30
Episode Wrap up … 39:35
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Elena,
“How do I talk to my child about my mental health issues? I struggle with depression and anxiety, both of which have been worse since the pandemic started. I know it impacts my child, but I am not sure how much to say, or whether to say anything at all. I don't want him to always be worried about me. I also don't want to give him problems by talking about these issues. I would love your thoughts on how to address it, if at all.”
The question of how to explain mental health to a child is a common one that I think a lot of parents wrestle with. In this episode, I will address when it is appropriate to talk about adult mental health issues with your children and how to approach the topic. There is no one way to approach this. The key is to address it in a developmentally appropriate way. Kids are very intuitive so ultimately you are helping them understand something they may already be perceiving. And in doing so they understand that parents have struggles too and it's ok to share your struggles with others. Throughout the episode, I provide several strategies to help guide you through this conversation.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Discus Adult Mental Health with Children …00:02:20
Kids Inherently Know When Parents Struggle … 00:04:50
How to talk to kids about Adult Mental Health … 00:08:00
Tailor Language in a Developmentally-Appropriate Way… 00:11:54
Keys to Address No Matter the Age … 00:15:55
Open Door Communication … 00:20:05
Episode Wrap up … 00:24:40
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Raun K. Kaufman, Autism thought leader and co-creator of the Autism Crisis Turnaround Protocol, author of the book Autism Breakthrough, the former CEO of Autism Treatment Center of America, and an international lecturer and graduate of the Ivy League's Brown University with a degree in Biomedical Ethics. His articles have been featured in journals, he has been interviewed by national and international media, and in addition to his work with families and educators for almost 25 years.
In this episode, Raun and I discuss ways we can support kids and young adults who are in what we might call crisis mode. Maybe they are struggling with extreme behaviors, explosive reactions, extreme overwhelm, and anxiety. They are not able to move forward in their lives as a result. And if you are parenting or working with someone in crisis, no doubt, you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and are struggling as well.
While many of the examples we discuss apply to those on the Autism Spectrum, you’ll realize that these strategies can really be applied to anyone you interact with on a regular basis. Seeing the world from someone else's experience opens up a lot of potential for building trust and learning what might be triggering their neuro crash. Learn more about Raun here.
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Raun's background ... 00:03:00
Crisis defined ... 00:11:00
Trust deficits ... 00:19:20
Seven main causes of crisis ... 00:22:00
Recognizing signals of stress ... 00:28:00
7 Causes of a neuro crash ... 00:31:30
Autism crisis lifeline ... 00:39:10
Where to learn more ... 00:45:40
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Sarah,
“I am struggling with how to handle nightly bedwetting with my six-year-old son. He was day-trained around three and a half years old, and that went quite well, but nighttime wetting has continued to happen. He'll go around 11:30pm, 3am, 6am. I tried for two months to transition him into a nighttime routine out of Pull-Ups, but it didn't work. He always would wake up soaked. I did all the tricks the doctors told me like bringing into the bathroom before bed, no drinks before bed, etc. I left him in Pull-Ups for two years and did notice that if he didn't have a bowel movement before bed, he seemed to wet far heavier. I am trying again now because he said he wants to get out of Pull-Ups, but waking him several times each night makes us both exhausted. Trying not to make a big deal out of this and stress him out over being wet as I know he can't help it, but it is hard to keep up with the laundry. What other things can I do or rule out to help with this issue and to help get them out of Pull-Ups?"
In this episode, I will address bedwetting—causes, ways to approach it, and ideas on how to resolve it so your child can stay dry at night.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. James Greenblatt, he is a pioneer in the field of functional integrative medicine, a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist, and has treated patients since 1988. He received his medical degree and did his psychiatry residency at George Washington University and completed a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Medical School. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Walden Behavioral Care and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine and Dartmouth College. Dr. Greenblatt has lectured internationally on the scientific evidence for nutritional interventions in psychiatry and mental illness. He is the author of seven books, and his latest book Answers To Anorexia is released right now, and we are excited about that. He is also the founder of Psychiatry Redefined, which is a really innovative educational platform dedicated to the transformation of psychiatry, and they offer online courses, webinars, and even fellowships for professionals.
In this episode, Dr. Greenblatt and I discuss his new book, Answers to Anorexia. Anorexia nervosa is on the rise, especially in young children, and the relapse and suicide rates are among the highest for psychiatric illnesses. We discuss warning signs, underlying causes, and effective treatment approaches.
Anorexia Affects All Age Groups * Anorexia nervosa is the most life-threatening of the psychiatric illnesses (highest rate of suicide) * Early intervention and treatment is critical * Increasing rates, especially in preteens and younger, but seen in all genders and races * Often starts in adolescence
What is Anorexia Nervosa? * Listed as one of the eating disorders; as a psychiatric diagnosis * Symptoms include distorted body image along with restrictive eating/weight loss + The brain plays tricks on the body, where there is a complete distortion of reality * Scientists now can articulate that this is a brain-based illness, that the neurophysiological changes are different in those with anorexia however, this has not been translated into clinical care * Caregivers and professionals need to focus on a more empathic collaborative treatment model
Early Warning Signs & Risk Factors * Very high genetic component, whether it is a parent or an aunt/uncle * One of the most dramatic, well-proven risk factors is going on a vegan/vegetarian diet in puberty, certainly pre-puberty + Any change in diet is usually the onset + Literature showing that a vegan diet in adolescence with a genetic vulnerability is a very high risk for an eating disorder, poorer outcomes, and a higher relapse rate + The restricting of those (animal-based) foods, which are particularly high in nutrients such as zinc and vitamin B12, are critical for puberty and one of the core deficiencies in anorexia nervosa
Treatments Historically Have Been Ineffective * Massive lack of proper training about eating disorders and nutrition for practitioners * For anorexia nervosa, there are no approved medications + So every practitioner is making an educated guess as to what would be helpful for medication and/or therapy * Dr. Greenblatt’s thesis is it's a brain-based illness due to malnutrition, and without that nutritional repletion, therapy is often ineffective * High relapse rate especially since typically patients are released with no ongoing care * Lack of treatment centers puts a large time, financial, and stress burden on families to have to travel further * Insurance companies limit treatment * The highest risk of suicide of any psychiatric illnesses + Not a lot of research as to why, but Dr Greenblatt’s theory is the relationship between depleted levels of essential fatty acids (EPA and DHA) and brain function
- Low levels of those nutrients are associated with a higher risk of suicide
Proper Treatment and Prevention * First, need to address the (chronic) malnutrition and genetic vulnerability as a first red flag as well as changes in diet in early adolescence * All nutritional deficiencies of major nutrients affect brain function and brain distortion * Forcing a patient to eat during in inpatient care to stabilize weight while not addressing a nutrient-dense diet is not an effective solution
Key Nutrients Needed for Recovery * Zinc, especially during puberty + Low zinc is related to loss of appetite and taste, poor digestion, depression, and sleep problems * Other essential nutrients: B vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids * Treatment centers are not necessarily providing nutrient-dense foods or additional supplementation * Magnesium is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the U.S., and particularly in those with anxiety, mental health, sleep, or constipation + Nutrient testing is not always helpful/accurately providing the full picture as most nutrients are found in multiple parts of the body, not just blood
Where to Start for Support * Schedule a nutritional augmentation consultation + Try in the fields of functional or integrative medicine as they are typically trained across multiple disciplines and are either well-versed in nutrition or work closely with nutritional professionals * Early interventions with personalized care/therapy and dietitian are critical + Psychotherapy, so that children and adolescents are feeling valued and heard * Using food as a therapeutic approach along with targeted supplementation and nutrients; nutrition as being profoundly important in even some of these most severe clinical presentations. * Consider any underlying medical contributors such as undiagnosed celiac, PANDAS, etc. * Stay curious and keep asking good questions * Genetic testing can be helpful
Answers to Anorexia * Book: Answers to Anorexia + An overview of the lack of a current effective model and a proposal around a nutritional repletion model + Available on Amazon.com and jamesgreenblattmd.com * For clinicians, therapists, nurse practitioners, and psychiatrists there is an educational platform (psychiatryredefined.org) with hundreds of hours of content for functional medicine for mental health and functional psychiatry where they can learn a model to dig deeper
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This week’s question is from Amy,
“I need help understanding the purpose of carpet time in the elementary school setting. My son has ADHD and sensory processing disorder and struggles with carpet time, because he has to sit close to other kids, and he can't move because it's such tight quarters. I have been fighting for him to be able to sit elsewhere during carpet time since preschool, but the teachers just aren't willing to budge. Is carpet time something that is taught to people studying elementary education as being extremely important or something? I just don't get the point of it, if it makes it so the child can't listen and learn. Any suggestions are welcome.”
In this episode, I will discuss the best ways to work with teachers and administrators when you need to make accommodation requests for your child. There are many reasons that accommodations go unmet in the classroom and it’s important to be aware of what might be going on. Taking an empathetic and collaborative approach is best.
As the parent, you have the right to continue to advocate for your child and go up the chain of command once you’ve established that the teacher is unwilling to cooperate after a collaborative conversation. There are collaborative ways to maximize learning opportunities that benefit the entire classroom, the school administrators need to be willing to work that out with you. Ultimately if they are unwilling to meet a reasonable request it may be time to move on to another school.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
Is Carpet Time Essential? * It is not necessary or educationally valuable for a child to have to sit in a group on the carpet during any kind of instructional activity * A child is not going to suffer in their childhood or in their adulthood if they sit somewhere else and aren't with the crowd on the carpet
- Trying to force kids to sit and receive instruction in ways that are not productive for them, such as carpet time, is actually far more harmful than making some accommodations
Teachers Denying Accommodations (During Carpet Time) * First identify what the goal of carpet/circle time is: is the goal to learn to sit on a carpet for a set period of time (of course not!) or is it a skill/learning/direction objective? * + This may sound ridiculous, but adults can be stubborn with their teaching approaches * We should be wide open to any type of seating arrangement that is going to allow a particular child to benefit from the instruction and achieve the goal of what is happening during that time (e.g., teaching a skill, receiving direction, etc.) * Ask the teacher or the adults involved: “Help me understand what is the actual goal of this activity/this lesson/this time during the day?”
Acknowledge Control Issues May be a Factor * A sensitive subject, but when a teacher or staff member absolutely refuses to make basic accommodations, it often is related to the adult having issues with control * + From the educator side (and as parents), it may be triggering past experiences such as not being heard or disrespected + In the teacher’s mind they are likely thinking “I told you to do this, therefore, it's important that you do it and not create problems, not do something different than what you were told, not need something else. You have to do this because you have to learn to do what you're told even when you don't want to, and even when it actually doesn't work for you” + Consciously or subconsciously, when the students comply, it reduces teachers anxiety and helps them feel more comfortable and in control + It requires that we, as adults, get past our own issues of control, anxiety about what would happen if we deviate from the “norm”, and check in with why we are resisting the willingness to consider an accommodation—is it a past trigger and does the rigidity benefit the child and the classroom? * Have empathy for educators, just as we have similar experiences at home parenting, but also have accountability to make changes
Are the Educators Being Micromanaged? * Are administrators or others higher up very critical to what’s happening in the classroom? * We need to respect individual teachers' abilities to make decisions in the best interest of students and not micromanage or have policies being made by those far removed from the classroom * Recognize the overwhelm that teachers and classroom staff face due to the really big systems-level issues/politics and the under-supporting of education in this country and this absolutely affects their demeanor
Supporting the Child and Teacher * Ask “How can we best accomplish this/maximize learning ability for all the kids in this setting?” * Kids need to learn to follow instructions, they need to learn to respect their teachers and other adults and to engage with them in appropriate ways, but we need to make sure that the instruction and the demands and the requirements are appropriate and workable for the kids as well
- In these situations, it’s important for educators to approach these topics through the eyes and perspective of the kids
- For example, carpet time could be problematic for children who need movement to learn, have sensory processing issues and the carpet is bothersome, they may have joint issues, etc.
Specific Steps for Parents * Approach it with a collaborative mindset * Start with the adult or teacher that is involved first. Schedule a meeting or send an email sharing your observations, concerns, questions * + If it cannot be resolved, then it is appropriate to go to the administrator in that building: principal, counselor etc., or If you have a child who has a section 504 accommodation plan or an IEP use those processes to have your concerns heard + - Make your requests known in written form and continue up the chain of command in the school or district to make your concerns heard and have your child's needs met + In the end, parents have choices, if nothing is working, a different educational setting or different situation altogether may be best to meet their child's needs and reduce the stress/difficulty that they are constantly having to deal with at the school
My guest this week is Campbell Will, a physical therapist and breathwork specialist from Australia, who works around the world, introducing people to the power of the breath. He's worked in a variety of clinical settings, from the ICU to the sporting field, from young to old and everyone in between. His passion is teaching the principles of breathwork, and how it can be used in all situations to better regulate the body, the mind, and emotions.
In this episode, Campbell and I discuss the benefits of breathwork, why it’s important to our health, how it can help children, and specific breathing techniques you can try right now. Most of us take breathing for granted since it just sort of happens on its own. What most people don’t realize is the way you breathe determines your physiological state. There are some easy-to-try breathing exercises in this episode that I encourage parents to practice with their children! The sooner children learn to use their breath to regulate their response to stress, the better off they will be in life. Learn more about Campbell here.
Understanding how to use your breath is your best tool * It's free * It's nearly instantaneous * You don't need any equipment * You don't need any special know-how
Why breathwork is an important tool for our health * Breath is really the remote control of what's going on in our autonomic nervous system * Breathing is both automatic and under conscious control + Mostly, breathing is unconscious throughout the day + When you think about the breath and try breathing in through your nose and slowly out through your mouth, you have brought the breath under conscious control * By taking your breathing under control you can grab ahold of that autonomic process and direct the nervous system in the direction that you want to go
Breaking down breathing * Sympathetic nervous system = fight or flight + As soon as we breathe with our mouth, we are more in the sympathetic + As soon as we breathe high into our chest or shoulders, it's going to be more of a sympathetic trigger + For example - a panic attack is very inhale-dominant, it's in and out of the mouth, it's high in the chest, and it's fast * Parasympathetic = rest, repair, recover, digest + Breathing through the nose, down into the lower part of the chest and diaphragm or belly breathing helps put you in a parasympathetic state + Breathing slowly and emphasizing the exhale also helps put you in a parasympathetic state * These two systems kind of work in opposition. We are never both at the same time
Difference between stress physiology and psychology * Managing your psychological stress symptoms without addressing the physiological symptoms will not yield much of a result * You have to pay attention to and wrangle in your physiological state in order to fully calm yourself to a parasympathetic state
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide * We have to have the presence of carbon dioxide that allows the oxygen to move from the red blood cell into the cell of the body, where it then goes to the mitochondria and produces energy * While nose breathing is preferred, some people may experience discomfort with having a little more carbon dioxide present in the body, that’s the feeling of not enough air or feeling like there’s not enough oxygen + Oxygen level is actually going up and you are making more oxygen available. It's just that your chemo senses are a little bit sensitive
How to help kids breath better * Try this exercise - “Take a sip of water, and then see if you can walk around the house or do some laps around the yard” this can help them get into the habit of “Hey, I can breathe” * If there’s an immediate need to swallow the water, that shows that there's a little bit of a sensitivity there * Pop the tip of the tongue behind the top teeth, this will encourage them to seal the lips * A tip for retraining a child to breathe through their nose instead of their mouth at night - place a very thin strip of micropore tape vertically across the lips. NOT taping the mouth closed but just the very front of the lips * Try BOX breathing - breathe in for a count of three, hold the breath for a count of three, breathe out for a count of three, and hold the breath for a count of three * Practice breathing softly * Practice an extended exhale by having them blow a mobile to make the hanging parts move or blowing a balloon or feather across a table * Try a double inhale with a prolonged exhale + Breathing comfortably full in through the nose, pause for a moment, and then sneak another breath in, and then a long easy exhale
Follow Campbell * Website * Instagram - @breathbodytherapy * Facebook
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Neerja,
“Can you help me with how to handle negative thoughts about my child? I'm getting very frustrated and tired of dealing with his challenges. I often think negatively about him and really hate myself for doing that. Any suggestions as to how to deal with this?”
In this episode, I will address how to deal with the shame and guilt parents experience when they have negative thoughts about their children. First off, please know you are not alone. Second, the strategies in this episode will help you deal with those feelings better and may even prevent them from happening at all.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
Parents Have a Wide Range of Thoughts About their Kids * It is completely normal to have negative thoughts about your child with regard to things they are doing or the challenges you are dealing with, especially if the child has extra challenges + Difficult behaviors are exhausting and can feel frustrating and unfair + You are not a bad or unloving parent for feeling these things sometimes about your child, even if those feelings are really uncomfortable feelings like anger + It's real life, and it's much healthier to acknowledge it than it is to try to deny it because the feelings and the things that we are willing to acknowledge become the things that we are able to work with/improve ourselves
Separate Your Child from the Behaviors & Challenges * Your child and their behavior/challenges are 2 different things * If you step back and reflect, typically parents are not actually having negative thoughts and feelings about the child themselves * A mantra that works well around this for us to remind ourselves as parents is, "I love my child, but sometimes I don't like him or his behavior very much."
Constant Negative Feelings & Time to Recharge * If negative feelings coming up when you have to deal with your child, when you have to face certain things during the day, or it is happening frequently, that is a sign to us as adults that we need to have more opportunities to take breaks from our kids * When we notice that those frustrated, angry, sort of impatient thoughts and feelings are coming up, we are having a lot of this negativity around our kids, that's our brain waving little flags, saying, "Hey, we need to be taking more of a break here." * Be intentional about stepping away and recharging your batteries + It may mean leaving the house, but for many, it could be letting them watch a show, placing them in their room to play alone, or putting them to bed a little earlier so you can have time for yourself + Get creative about it. Don't shut down to the idea and say "Well, that's not possible”, It absolutely can be done. * We need to make sure that we are not letting our cup get too full with that frustration and negativity; finding an opportunity to let some of that drain out so that we can keep that cup from overflowing on a regular basis + It's good for us and it's good for our kids
Intentional Stops in the Day * Be intentional several times a day. Just stopping, putting your hand on your own heart, taking a few deep breaths and remind yourself out loud or in your head mantras such as: + “He's a good kid and having a hard time.” Or “I’m a good parent. I'm doing the best that I can” * Spotlighting the positives throughout the day, both for your child and for yourself + Our brains are Velcro for negative things and it's a lot harder to be aware and focus on the positive things, particularly with our kids * Try daily journaling, make a running list on your phone, or sharing positives at mealtime as a family as well + Kids hold onto “bad” too, so it is very beneficial to have them participate
When You Feel Beyond Frustrated * When parents are feeling things aren’t improving with all their efforts, try looking for different or additional support and approaches + Too often the focus becomes that the problem is the child rather than the need to look for different systems, tools, strategies, or professionals. + What is best for one child or family may not work for another—Seek alternatives + Perhaps the true underlying causes of their challenges have not been addressed * Resource: “Digging Deeper Workshop” at drnicoleworkshops.com + Helps parents have a better picture of what areas are probably contributing to the symptoms and the challenges a child is experiencing, so that parents can seek out the right kinds of interventions, approaches, and treatments
Recognizing Our Emotions as a Parent * Honestly check in with yourself to see how your ability is to regulate your own emotions and behaviors + Kids are only one part of your life * Do you have the tools and strategies to support your mental health or issues you need to address? * All parents struggle at times with negative thoughts or questioning their ability as a parent—acknowledge when this occurs, don’t be ashamed, and seek out support/a support group, etc. * As parents, when we are feeling like we've got our feet underneath us more/a bit more together/managing ourselves and our inner and outer worlds just more effectively, that goes a long way to helping us have a more balanced or better outlook on what's going on with our kids and the challenges that we face each day with them
My guests this week are Cindy Muchnick and Jen Curtis. Here is a little bit about each of their backgrounds.
Cindy Muchnick is a graduate of Stanford University and has been working in education for the past 25 plus years as a former assistant director of college admission, high school teacher, educational consultant, and author of five other education-related books. She speaks professionally to parents, students, teachers, and business groups on topics around study skills, the adolescent journey, college admission, and now the Parents Compass Movement.
Jen Curtis earned a BA from UCLA and an MSW from USC and has been an educational consultant and professional speaker for the past 12 years. As the owner of FutureWise Consulting, she has worked with hundreds of students on every aspect of the college admission process. She's particularly passionate about empowering teens to approach life with intention and educating parents about navigating their parent compass.
In this episode, we are talking about preparing kids for life beyond high school, particularly if they're thinking about college or some sort of post-secondary training. But even if they aren't, you are going to get a lot of great tips and ideas around how to support kids in this phase of life.
We’ll also be answering questions like how can we as parents best prepare our kids for education in life beyond high school? How can we help them strike the balance of realistic but also ambitious goals? And how can we manage ourselves and our feelings so that we're not pushing them into something that might not be the best path for them? Perhaps the most important message here is to start empowering your kids at a young age to speak for themselves, advocate for themselves and express their own individual interests. Learn more about Cindy and Jen here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
Parents should STOP doing this … * Speak over their kids, answer for their kids, and not let their kids have their own opinions + This mostly happens unintentionally * Going straight to administrators or teachers, before letting kids advocate for themselves * Protecting kids from feeling emotions, disappointments, failures * Putting your own interests and opinions for what they “should” be doing first * Doing all the planning and organizing
Where parents have the opportunity to do better * You have the opportunity as the parent of a younger child to be aware of and think about how you want to nurture their independence and individuality * It’s not too late for any parent to start empowering their children, young adults or even grown adults * We have a lot of opportunities in the growing up years to put these things into practice with being aware of how much we're inserting ourselves, versus allowing our kids to have a voice, being aware of how much we might be rescuing in a way that isn't going to lead them well * When we don't focus on who the child uniquely is, often we're inserting our own biases into who we want them to be, and it really kind of can get in the way of us parenting authentically
Micromanaging your kids * Two categories of older kids, young adults who experience micromanaging by their parents or caretaker + One is the category who don't need that, but the parents think they do and are doing it anyway, or the parents are doing it out of their own need to be needed + Two is the category of young people where parents are continuing to insert themselves and do that because if they didn't, their young adult kids truly don't have the skills to manage and deal with many aspects of their life * Parents may need to step back and find ways outside of the higher education environment for their kids to develop life skills so that they can be successful there + Basic food skills like cooking, grocery shopping and nutrition + Basic financial skills + Basic laundry skills + Basic skills around organization and planning + Social awareness + Social skills
Alternatives to a 4yr. College * Community college * Workforce * Gap years * Military * Internships * Research * Volunteer opportunities all over the world to find ways to give back. * Immersive experiences to learn languages or to learn instruments * Give time to a religious cause * Apprenticeships for students who want to learn a skill like woodworking, hairstyling, or creative arts
Ways to show your child you believe in them * Let your kids advocate for their grades and even go speak to their teachers * Let your kids pay for things * Let your kids speak up about how they are feeling at the doctor * Let them take charge and make decisions when planning big life events like college or a trip, etc. * Let them talk first, let them self advocate first, and then you can fill in the blanks if need be * Give your kids the freedom to have their space + Have freedom to be creative on their own walls with what inspires them + Instilling in kids from early on that “You are capable, of course you can choose what you would want to put on your walls. I trust that you can have an opinion about that and figure that out.” * Show them we like who they are and we're trying to understand who they are, and to ask those questions that allow them to share their interests with us
Follow Cindy and Jen * Website * The Parent Compass Book * Instagram * Facebook * LinkedIn
This weeks question is from Meg,
“I am needing advice for how to handle nutrition and eating with my 13-year-old daughter. She's got anxiety and attention issues, and we've known for a long time that food impacts her symptoms. When she was younger, it was easier to control what she ate. Now that she's older, it's become more of a power struggle. She's eating and drinking all kinds of things that are causing problems for her, and I worry about her weight as well. We just seem to be arguing about it all the time at home, and I'm not sure how to get her to listen. Any advice?"
In this episode, I will address how parents can help kids make healthier food choices. It all starts with how you are communicating with your child or teen. If the trust and good communication aspects aren't there, it's likely nothing will change. When you listen to one another and build trust, they usually respond by being more open to change. Modeling what you hope to see in your kids and teens is very effective. Kids notice what we do. And finally, in this episode, I will provide specific strategies on how to raise healthy eaters at any age.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
The Controllable Aspects of Kids’ Diets * Focus on what we can control as caregivers such as the food we purchase and bring home * Try to stay factual, neutral, and not let our emotions or future-oriented thinking, fears, anxieties take over * Kids, even in their teen years, can struggle with regulating their emotions, especially for intense/or sensitive topics such as food * When caregivers are neutral rather than in an agitated state, the information is more likely to get in, even if the child doesn't acknowledge it in the moment
Modeling Healthy Food Habits is the Most Impactful * Be aware of what your child is hearing and internalizing from adults, peers, and on social media/TV about food, eating, fitting in, body image, etc. * Be mindful of how you act and speak about your own body, weight, food choices, etc. * Focus on what you can control by modeling + Not having a conversation with them about it when we're doing this + Not trying to force them to eat what we're eating -We're simply being a model of how to make those decisions and how we're thinking about those things (ex. when I eat X, I notice I feel Y) + Staying away from black and white thinking around “good vs bad” foods - It can create anxiety, stress, and power struggles
Weight Concerns and Kids * It is critical that we avoid talking about food and eating as related to weight for any child, especially teens + This can set them up for dysfunctional thoughts and feelings around food and around their bodies (ex. diet culture and restriction) * Instead, focus on food as providing information, fuel, and building blocks for our brains and bodies, and the physical and mental health components/effects
Are you Really Listening to Your Kids? * Important to acknowledge and empathize with how they feel, even when we don't agree with them + ex. "Yeah, I get it, it feels frustrating. You know what? I remember feeling frustrated when I was your age, too. It's okay to feel that way, I get it." + When an opportunity arises that they initiate, spotlight (in a productive way) the food-body connection involving any symptom struggles they might be experiencing (ex. they are complaining about acne but they have been eating a lot of sugar and fast food) + Use that as an opportunity to listen, hear their frustrations, and what they're experiencing, and also help them make some connections with things, both in their eating and their lifestyle + Casually make the observations and open up those conversations by raising possibilities - Not doing the thing that's going to shut it down right away, which is, "Well, of course, you're breaking out because XYZ” - Instead, ask them what they think might be going on
What We Can Control with Their Food * Parents need to focus on what is being brought into the home, groceries, availability/timing, where you choose to eat out, etc., and not micromanaging what goes on outside the home (exceptions for children with dietary requirements or special needs). * Do not become the “food police” as they can make it much more likely that they are going to sneak food, not be open, not tell you what's going on, or develop anxiety and distrust around these things + This can lead to massive power struggles and breakdowns in our relationship with our kids * Remember parent roles are to provide the food and when the child’s role is to decide if they will eat and how much
Development and Appetite Shifts * Infancy and adolescence are significant periods of growth and require more food * Suggest that all families have foods readily available that kids can access at any time if they're hungry such as fruits and vegetables and nuts.
Cultivate Open Communication with Kids * Be a safe place for them to bring questions, observations, concerns * Keep putting things out there and let them know that you always want to answer any questions that they have, hear how they're feeling about things related to food, meals, etc. * Remember being open to hearing and discussing doesn’t mean you necessarily agree + It’s about acknowledgment + They really appreciate feeling respected in that way and feeling acknowledged
Better Brain and Behavior Diet Workshop for More Support * I cover food, nutrition, eating approaches, tools, and strategies to implement as the parent, but also for the entire family * There is an emphasis on eating to best support our kid's brains, which then helps to support their behavior, learning, mood, anxiety * Feedback from current parents that having their older kids watch some of the videos is extremely helpful for them to hear it from somebody who is not their parent * Visit drnicoleworkshops.com
My guest this week is Iris Chen, she's an author, unschooling mom, deconstructing tiger parent, and founder of theuntigering movement. As an advocate for peaceful parenting and educational freedom for children, her mission is to inspire generational and cultural transformation, especially among Asian communities. She spent 16 years living overseas in China, the land of the tiger parent, but now resides in her native California with her husband and two sons.
In this episode, Iris and I discuss meeting the educational needs of all kids, including kids with special needs, in-non traditional ways. Specifically, with an educational model called unschooling, which is gaining in popularity in recent years. It’s important to raise awareness about different educational styles so that parents and children don’t feel stuck in their current school system and blindly follow whatever they are told. Thankfully there are many different educational styles that fit kids’ personalities, interests, and challenges better. Learn more about here.
Episode Highlights
What is a Tiger parent?
- Equates to very strict Chinese parenting (but can also be a term for any strict parents)
- A lot of rules, very authoritarian, high expectations, particularly in the area of academics
What is untigering?
- Moving away from very authoritarian, controlling, coercive parenting, but also redefining ideas about the value of formal education and academics and the push to succeed and achieve in those ways
Being a controlling parent is not healthy for your kids
- Parents of kids with special needs, whether that is neurodevelopmental issues, mental health issues, learning challenges, whatever it might be, experience an extra set of fears and concerns, and there can be even more of a drive to control or to make kids conform to a certain way of doing things, out of love and a desire for them to fit in, to have a successful future
- It is important in those situations for parents to step back and recognize what our fears are around this
- How do I support the child I have, who this child actually is, which includes all of their amazing strengths and qualities, as well as their challenges? Not trying to make this child fit into a box
Opting out of conventional thinking
- There is this collective reimagining going on right now that is so important to the future of education
- Education most certainly does NOT need to be done in four walls, sitting down all day long
- The educational model we choose for our kids, comprises a lot of their childhood daytime life, we should choose based on all our options not just the one everyone else does
- We need to ask, "Is this serving me?" Because an education is supposed to serve the child, it is supposed to empower the child and give them the skills
- If it's not serving the child, why are we still doing it? So are we serving the system? Or is the system there to serve us? If we're just saying yes to whatever they're asking us to do, we're not questioning it, it's not an intentional choice
- One of the most compelling arguments in support of parents looking at different options educationally, is the research on educational outcomes in the current school system
-
- A large percentage of kids are not coming out of the current school system with great success
- We’re also seeing a generation of kids now in young adulthood with more serious mental health issues than ever before
- When we think about parenting kids who are autistic, kids who have ADHD, kids with mental health issues, behavioral challenges. All the more need to look at what is going to constitute success, health, well being, an engaged quality of life for them in adulthood?
-
- It may not at all be the picture that we have in our mind of traditionally what's done, and that need to broaden that understanding
What is unschooling?
- Living, loving and learning with our children outside the construct of compulsory schooling
- Child-led, no homework, no curriculum, no particular subjects, no strict schedule
- Unschooling really opens up a lot of options for reducing kids' anxiety about school or about learning, and by using their strengths and using their interests, it allows a much better entry point into helping them grow in their skills, in their knowledge, because we're approaching it in a way that doesn't automatically heighten their anxiety and create a lot of distress for them
How do children become educated with unschooling?
- They are intrinsically-motivated, they do have the skills they need and the drive that they need in order to pursue their individual interests
- There is a lot of parenting support. Exploring outside, reading at the library, going to museums, these are ways children can build knowledge
- By giving kids time and room to play and lead activities it's actually supporting their own developmental pace too, which again, is really important for neurodivergent kids, for kids with different kinds of processing systems in their brain, to be able to operate at a pace that supports their own development, as opposed to constantly being pushed
Life provides opportunities for learning
- People learn because we are made to learn
- We don't need school in order to do that
- There's so much learning that needs to happen outside the mind, outside the intellect, where the school environment doesn't really allow for that
-
- We need to learn how to listen to our bodies, how to rest and engage with nature, how to meet our our needs to survive in the world, like cook and do laundry and pay your taxes and all those things
- For kids who have more significant neurodevelopmental, behavioral, anxiety kinds of issues, traditional classrooms often are not the best place for them to be doing the kinds of learning and development and growth
Follow Iris Chen
- Website
- Instagram - @Untigering
- FB - @Untigering
- Twitter - @Untigering
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Monica,
“My seven-year-old son has been diagnosed with ADHD, and I do recognize that the diagnosis describes the symptoms he has: poor attention, especially in school, problems managing his emotions and behaviors, he doesn't think before he acts a lot of the time. But he's also very smart and quite talented with art, and he really enjoys playing sports. I'm considering all of the treatment options, and want to try as many non-medication supports as I can before deciding if we want to try prescription medication. I've heard about food changes that can improve symptoms of ADHD, but I'm not sure what information to believe or really where to start. I trust you as a source of accurate information, so I'd love your thoughts on this.”
In this episode, I will address the important role nutrition and diet play in ADHD or any type of behavior challenges. Plus you'll learn my 5 key food strategies to start improving ADHD symptoms. You may want to take notes.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Trent McEntire. For more than two decades, he's been helping people gain back their mobility, a story that he knows well. Born with a mild form of cerebral palsy, Trent experienced pain and stiffness every day from the time he was a child. However, his creative problem solving abilities kicked in, and he figured out ways to improve his movement capacity to participate in his love for sports, and then went on to discover that how he repaired his own body was the foundation for what would be his life's work. He attended Western Michigan University where he received a BFA in dance, requiring studies in movement science and training.
Trent pursued a career as a professional dancer, where he performed on stages throughout the country and abroad. As a movement professional, Trent has laid a path where he could help others who have movement limitations. He has helped many people move past their most debilitating situations, and today, his mission is to get his methods and tools out to everyone who needs help. The Fire Up Your Brain program was created as a fun, engaging, affordable way to support his mission.
In this episode, Trent and I discuss ways to fire up our kids' brains so they can learn focus, move, and live better. Trent has used his personal experiences with cerebral palsy and movement education to figure out creative fun methods for improving processing, mobility, and so much more in kids and adults with a wide variety of challenges. He's going to share specific training methods we can use to support brain-body connectivity and improved functioning across the board. Removing shame from the equation and focusing on helping kids' brains through activities they love is where the most effective brain growth happens. Learn more about Trent McEntire here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Nicole,
“I have an almost-four-year-old daughter who has started having major tantrums. She hasn't had behavior issues like this previously, or at least outbursts to this level in frequency. I understand this can be a part of her age, but it feels out of hand and I'm at a loss. It seems like any little thing can set her off, and it can be up to 1-2 hours of rage and screaming. There seems to be nothing that can get her to move through it until she just comes down by herself. We’ve tried everything we can think of: Gotten angry, tried consequences, been patient, given opportunities, we've tried ignoring, separating from the situation. She’s currently an only child and I'm pregnant with my second, so I wonder if that could have something to do with the massive behavior shift. My question is: What can cause a huge behavior shift at this age, and what are the strategies for handling this?” “
In this episode, I will address tantrums: what might be underlying causes, what to do when nothing seems to be working, how parents can overcome frustration, as well as in the moment and long-term strategies.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guests this week are Dr. Temple Grandin and Dr. Debra Moore. Here is a bit about them:
Dr. Temple Grandin is a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She had no language until age four, and good teachers and her mother helped her develop her strengths. She has a successful career as both a designer of livestock handling systems and as a scientific researcher. She also lectures widely on her experiences with autism. She has written many books, some of them include Emergence, Labeled Autistic, Thinking In Pictures, and The Autistic Brain.
Dr. Debra Moore is a psychologist with extensive experience helping children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum. She practiced for over 30 years in the Greater Sacramento area. During that time, she served as president of the Sacramento Valley Psychology Association and Director of Fall Creek Counseling Associates. She co-authored The Loving Push: How Parents and Professionals Can Help Spectrum Kids Become Successful Adults with her co author Temple Grandin. Their second book together is out right now and it's called Navigating Autism: Nine Mindsets For Helping Kids On the Spectrum
In this episode, we discuss how parents and professionals can best support kids on the autism spectrum, specifically the mindsets that support positive outcomes for kids. Dr. Temple Grandin shares her perspective as an autistic adult, and Dr. Debra Moore shares her perspective as a psychologist who spent her career working with autistic kids and young adults. Learn more about Temple and Debra.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Carla,
“I have a student who gives up and runs away or cries if he doesn't win a game, or if a task is too difficult for him. His parents separated a year ago, and he suppresses this experience with all of his might. How can I help him when he reacts like this?”
In this episode, I will address how teachers can handle emotional upset with their students. I will discuss what is happening internally with kids when they have emotional outbursts, and how homelife and stressors can greatly affect them even if they don’t talk about it. As always, I will provide you with in-the-moment strategies to diffuse the situation and long-term approaches to support more regulated emotions.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Kelly Edwards, She's the creator of the 90-Minute School Day, a lifestyle approach to education. The 90-Minute School Day method connects children with learning in their natural environment: At home with their family. It's designed for kids at an educational level of Pre-K through sixth grade. Kelly is passionate about home education, connecting families through attachment, learning as a lifestyle and helping children and parents identify their purpose. Kelly's entering her seventh year as a homeschool mom. She lives in the Shenandoah valley of West Virginia with her husband and three girls ages, 13, 6, and 3. Nice spread of ages there. She's a licensed foster parent, successful entrepreneur and community citizen. She uses her personal and professional experiences to guide the homeschooling parent with a framework and system to overcome the overwhelm that affects each of us.
In this episode, Kelly and I discuss some amazing benefits of homeschooling. Before you run away after being traumatized from schooling at home during the pandemic, know that this is completely different. That was crisis schooling NOT homeschooling. We’re talking 90 minutes a day about 4 days per week max.
I have found both as a parent with my own kids, as well as a professional working with kids with lots of different types of needs, homeschooling really can be the best, most supportive educational option for some kids. It lowers the stress around education and schooling significantly for some kids and parents, but you really need to have the intel on what homeschooling actually is, how it works best, the different ways to do it, how to make it work for you in a way that doesn't add to the stress of your life which is why I invited Kelly Edwards on the podcast today to tell us all about it. Learn more about Kelly Edwards here.
This weeks question is from Mark and Josie:
“Our son has had challenges since he was an infant. He has never slept well, he's a fairly picky eater, easily upset, and has no frustration tolerance. His behaviors have steadily gotten more challenging as he's gotten older, he's now 10. He's smart and can do academic work for the most part at school, but struggles with his behavior there. He's also pretty difficult to get along with and doesn't have friends because of that. We've brought him to a lot of different professionals over the years and have been referred to various places for counseling, medication, social skills groups, and other kinds of things.
He has been given several diagnoses: ADHD, ODD, DMDD anxiety, and even ASD has been mentioned, but nothing really seems to fit. None of the recommendations have helped improve the challenges very much. We are at a point of feeling very frustrated and overwhelmed, as he's getting older and we really don't know how to help him. Is more counseling the answer to work on some coping skills? Are there other medications to try? We're open to any suggestions and appreciate your insight.” “
In this episode, I will address what to do when you hit a roadblock with your child’s health; when multiple practitioners, diagnoses (or zero diagnoses), and treatments don't lead to solutions for your child’s behavioral or developmental issues, and how to start with a fresh perspective to get to the root cause. In my 25 years of practice, I’ve learned that there is always hope. I've always been able to find one, if not several areas, where we can really start to impact, change, and see progress. It’s time to dig deeper and connect the dots!
Visit www.DrNicoleWorkshops.com to sign up.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
This weeks question is from Mark and Josie:
“Our son has had challenges since he was an infant. He has never slept well, he's a fairly picky eater, easily upset, and has no frustration tolerance. His behaviors have steadily gotten more challenging as he's gotten older, he's now 10. He's smart and can do academic work for the most part at school, but struggles with his behavior there. He's also pretty difficult to get along with and doesn't have friends because of that. We've brought him to a lot of different professionals over the years and have been referred to various places for counseling, medication, social skills groups, and other kinds of things.
He has been given several diagnoses: ADHD, ODD, DMDD anxiety, and even ASD has been mentioned, but nothing really seems to fit. None of the recommendations have helped improve the challenges very much. We are at a point of feeling very frustrated and overwhelmed, as he's getting older and we really don't know how to help him. Is more counseling the answer to work on some coping skills? Are there other medications to try? We're open to any suggestions and appreciate your insight.” “
In this episode, I will address what to do when you hit a roadblock with your child’s health; when multiple practitioners, diagnoses (or zero diagnoses), and treatments don't lead to solutions for your child’s behavioral or developmental issues, and how to start with a fresh perspective to get to the root cause. In my 25 years of practice, I’ve learned that there is always hope. I've always been able to find one, if not several areas, where we can really start to impact, change, and see progress. It’s time to dig deeper and connect the dots!
Visit www.DrNicoleWorkshops.com to sign up.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
My guest this week is Dr. Dawn Huebner. She is a psychologist, parent coach, and the author of 10 books for children, including perennial bestsellers What To Do When You Worry Too Much and Outsmarting Worry, another recent work, Something Bad Happened to provide support for children, learning about problems around the world, while her newest, The Sibling Survival Guide speaks with warmth and humor to children struggling to get along. Her books are practical and relatable, selling well over a million copies in 23 languages. She's been featured on a host of news and information outlets and frequently interviewed by popular parenting magazines.
In this episode, Dr. Dawn Huebner and I discuss The Sibling Survival Guide. What often drives sibling conflict, when to intervene or stay out of it, and how to handle it in the moment without inadvertently making things worse. We will discuss how to stop tattling. And we will get into the nuances of what to do when families have children with behavioral, emotional, or social communication kinds of challenges. This episode is packed with practical tips for how parents can respond to sibling conflict in ways that are helpful immediately and in the long-term.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Nana,
“My four-year-old daughter hits, climbs on people's bodies, screams, and does all kinds of physical behavior when she wants my attention. This happens whenever I'm talking with someone besides her. Sometimes she'll even scratch or hit me. I'm not sure about the best way to handle this.”
In this episode, I will address the insistent and sometimes physically aggressive behavior that kids exhibit when they want our attention. We will talk through what is normal, how to proactively address it, what to do in the moment, and long-term ideas to work on for behavior change.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Sarah Moore, the founder of Dandelion Seeds, Positive Parenting. She is a certified Gentle Parenting Coach and has worked directly with some of the world's most respected psychologists, neuroscientists, researchers and advocates for children. She also graduated from improvisational comedy school — that may be a first for this show, that's awesome! She is an expert on play, a regular contributor to international parenting magazines, she's a frequent guest on podcasts and parenting summits. She's also the editor for Pregnancy Magazine and a master trainer for The Jai Institute for Parenting.
In this episode, Sarah and I discuss the important role of Play in a child’s life and in the parent’s life. Play doesn’t take a ton of effort like you might think. All it takes is focus. Play is anything your child delights in doing. You don’t have to spend a ton of energy coming up with scenarios or making crafts you found on pinterest, just stop and do whatever your child is doing as long as they are delighting in it. We’ll also discuss the benefits of play from the perspective of a child’s growth and overall health. And how you can divide and conquer to make sure each of your children is getting a bit of playtime without you burning out. Learn more about Sarah here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Hazel,
“How do I react and respond when my child is biting me and other family members when he gets upset? Sometimes he hits or pinches us really hard. It's typically when he's been told no, or when something doesn't go the way he wants it to go. We're new to all of this, and I feel like we have no idea what to do. Help.”
In this episode, I will address what to do when your child is hitting, biting, or pinching when they’re upset. I will provide you with strategies on how to divert and redirect this negative behavior, how to keep yourself calm, and ways to structure your caregiving methods to build positive self-regulating skills.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Kelly Mahler, has a doctorate in occupational therapy, and has been an occupational therapist for 18 years serving school-aged children and adults. Kelly is the winner of multiple awards, including the 2020 American Occupational Therapy Association Emerging and Innovative Practice Award, and a Mom's Choice Gold Medal. She's an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Elizabethtown College and is actively involved in several research projects pertaining to topics like interoception, self-regulation, trauma, and autism. Kelly is an international speaker and presents frequently on topics related to a wide variety of resources she has authored. She's got lots of great books and resources, like The Interoception Curriculum, Interoception Activity Cards, Sensory Issues, and High-Functioning Autism.
In this episode, Dr. Kelly and I are going to talk about the importance of the 8th sense, also known as the interoception sensory system, which helps you understand and feel your bodily cues. This critical system is often forgotten about and problematic in sensory processing disorder individuals, where it can be over or under-functioning. We will discuss how this severely impacts the life and development of a child or adult that is struggling to modulate it and share clinical approaches to strengthening this system.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
Follow Dr. Kelly Mahler
- Free resources kelly-mahler.com
- Join free Facebook group: for "Interoception: The Eighth Sensory System"
- Instagram: @kelly_mahler
- Twitter: @kmahlerkmahler
- Books
This weeks question is from Andrea
“I grew up in a home where we had meals together most nights, and I want to do the same thing for my family, but I'm struggling because my kids who are 3, 7, and 13 don't want to sit at the table and participate in a family meal. They want their devices, they want to eat in the other room, or they just want to grab something and eat whenever they want. My partner doesn't think it's a big deal and tells me to stop trying to make family meals happen, but I don't think the way we're doing things is good for any of us. Do you have ideas for making family meals more manageable?”
In this episode, I will address why it is so important to have family mealtime for both children and adults. I will share how to implement successful, supportive healthy mealtime routines strategies, even for families with resistive behaviors or who need accommodations for children with developmental challenges.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Serena Poon, a nutritional energy practitioner who fuses her expertise as a celebrity chef, holistic nutritionist and Reiki Master to serve her A-list clientele from the likes of Jerry Bruckheimer to Kerry Washington and many more. Serena Loves was launched in 2019, a lifestyle brand blog and TV show that encompasses all the pillars of optimal health and well-being. This is achieved through her method of culinary alchemy, which is a combination of education, integrative and functional nutrition, and healing energy. She is also the founder of Just Add Water, a wellness line of super nutrient foods and supplements.
In this episode, Serena and I discuss energy healing, spirituality, and a particular healing modality called Reiki. We're going to delve into what Reiki is, how it can be helpful for children and really everyone in the family, along with how energy healing can combine with nutrition and other approaches to benefit kids and families, both physically and mentally.
Learn more about Serena here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks listener question is from Debbie,
"My eight-year-old son has ADHD, and I'm constantly frustrated with his lack of listening. I'll tell him something or ask him to do something, and he acts like he doesn't hear me, or says, “Yup", but then doesn't do it. Sometimes I tell him it's time to do something, and he just runs the other way and refuses. I feel like I spend all day trying to get him to listenand do what he's told. I've tried all the reward charts and consequences, but they don't have a consistent impact, and they just create more work for me to manage. How can I get him to understand that he needs to listen and do things the first time he's told?”
In this episode, I will address the challenge most parents face; how to get kids to listen better! Whether it's a stubborn kid, one kid who has ADHD, is on the autism spectrum, has anxiety, or has behavior challenges, the principles and effective approaches I share work for all ages and stages of development.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Sue Simmons. Sue is on a mission to change the way our society views and addresses Autism. For decades, frazzled parents of autistic children have waited anxiously for treatment, feeling helpless and dependent. Sue proposes a new paradigm armed with training and knowledge: Not only are parents able to make dramatic changes in their children's lives, but they are ideally suited to do so. Her refreshing approach puts parents back in the driver's seatwith a focus on building safe emotional relationships rather than only seeking compliance.
In this episode, you'll be hearing from the mother of a now-adult son with ASD. Sue and I discuss Autism and related disorders. We learn about their journey (she and her son) and how it changed her perspective on what's really important when it comes to treatment and support for kids and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Learn more about Sue’s complimentary session and training here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question,
“My four-year-old consistently urinates on himself at night and even during the day while he's awake. His response is that he doesn't care about using the bathroom and doesn't want to stop his playtime in order to use it. I've tried everything from rationalizing with him, encouraging and congratulating him when he goes to the bathroom, and admittedly even putting him in timeout or taking away his toys when he urinates on himself. He has not experienced any recent trauma that I'm aware of. There haven't been any major changes in our family that could possibly be connected to this. Nothing seems to be helping, I would appreciate your insight.”
In this episode, I will address a very common issue, potty training regression, especially when kids claim they just don’t care or don’t want to stop playing. I will give some background on what is appropriate for different developmental stages, discuss potential underlying issues, and provide strategies to get them to want to keep their pants (and bed) dry.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
My guest this week is Maria Davis-Pierre, the founder and CEO of Autism in Black Inc. This organization aims to bring awareness to autism and reduce the stigma associated with the diagnosis in the Black community. Her unique approach exemplifies her drive and motivation toward greater acceptance and overcoming the barriers and personal struggles associated with raising a Black autistic child. Maria has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, she's collaborated with Microsoft, and personally has a wealth of experience on this topic.
In this episode, Maria and I discuss the unique stigma and struggles in the Black community as it relates to autism and related kinds of disabilities. Maria describes how we can better meet the needs of Black families who have children on the autism spectrum or other neurodiverse challenges. This topic is not talked about enough, I hope practitioners, school professionals, and parents put into practice all of the advice Maria provides in this episode. Learn more about Maria here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Salome,
“My 10-year-old son is academically and socially gifted, but has issues around writing, even though he's an avid reader and speaker. I trace it back to earlier school years where he had mechanical difficulties with fine motor skills, with holding the pencil, forming letters, etc. And my reaction to it was over-practicing and pressuring him to try harder. I've come a long way and see how unhelpful that was. Now, he resists writing and it turns into a major battle. What would you suggest I do to help him get over this?”
In this episode, I will address how to overcome writing resistance and difficulties with children. We will discuss the complexities around why writing is one of the biggest academic challenges, and provide you with lots of simple tips, strategies, and resources to encourage writing skill development.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Mary Voogt, she is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, feeding expert, wife, and a homeschooling mom to four who used to be selective eaters. She is the founder of Just Take a Bite and creator of The Mouth Mind Movement Minerals Method to get kids to say “Mmm!” to nourishing food every day. She uses a combination of nutritional therapy, eating styles profiling, EFT, and hair tissue mineral analysis to assess kids and get to the root cause of feeding challenges and create a personalized plan to overcome them. She blogs about her passion for nourishing food and empowering kids to take ownership of their health. And when she’s not in the kitchen, teaching her kids, or working with clients, Mary enjoys reading, walking, yoga, and spending time with her family on their 10-acre hobby farm and orchard.
In this episode, Mary and I discuss how to empower kids to be healthy eaters. We delve into a unique way of thinking about eating styles in kids, and why it’s important to understand each child’s specific needs around eating, including how things like their personality and activity level play a role in eating. Learn more about Mary Voogt here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Elizabeth,
“My son, who is 7 is still bursting into tears, yelling, stomping, and throwing things when he makes a mistake or doesn't get his way. It’s hard for him to self-regulate when he has reached his red zone.”
In today's Q&A, I'll be talking about strategies that can help your child learn to regulate their emotions as they go through developmental phases that can be overwhelming and challenging. We are going to cover a lot of ground; some specific parenting strategies you can try in the moment, some longer-term strategies that are critical to success, and some big picture things to be thinking about in terms of the underlying cause.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Sarah Frisch, an independent, agender autistic adult. Since their diagnosis in adulthood, they have earned a BA in psychology and pursued a career in autism consulting. They work with parents and other autistic people as well as organizations like Autism Support of Kent County and the Department of Defense's Autism Research Program. When not expanding their understanding of the many and varied experiences in the autism spectrum, they enjoy gardening and foraging for wild food as well as spending time with their spouse.
In this episode, Sarah and I discuss their experience of growing up autistic, but not knowing it until adulthood, experiences in adulthood thus far, and what might be helpful for parents and professionals to know about how to best support people with brain-based differences throughout their lifespan. This is a fantastic episode for parents of children with autism to listen to (as well as family members and professionals). Learn more about Sarah here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Shante,
“My 7-year-old son stomps, screams, yells and constantly says, ‘I hate you mom, you’re so mean.’ I tell him to use other words to express what about me is mean. Should I tell him to go to his room? How do I get him to stop doing this all the time, even when he’s slightly upset or frustrated? I also have a 3-year-old, and I don’t like that she’s learning and watching her brother respond to me and yell at me that way, because now she’s calling me mean and screaming and yelling. I’m feeling lost, please help.”
In this episode, I will address what is really going on when an upset child becomes verbally hostile and says really hurtful things. We will discuss specific strategies, things to say, ways to get through these moments, and then some things to implement in the long term.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Brendan Mahan. He is an internationally recognized ADHD and Executive Function expert, a highly engaging, sought-after speaker, and the host of the “ADHD Essentials” podcast. A former teacher, mental health counselor, and principal, Brendan helps individuals, families, schools, and businesses manage the challenges of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and neurodiversity through an approach that blends education, collaborative problem solving, and accountability with compassion, humor, a focus on strengths and growth, and his trademark Wall of Awful model.
In this episode, Brendan and I discuss some of the major challenges parents and families face when a member of the family has ADHD and ways to support them and celebrate their strengths. Brendan tells us about the Wall of Awful and how this philosophy can help people with ADHD approach difficult tasks in a more positive way. Learn more about Brendan here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Penny Williams. Penny helps parents of challenging kids feel less alone and break down the barriers to success and joy for their families and for themselves. Through her podcast, award-winning books, online parent training programs and conferences, parent coaching, and mom retreats, she has helped thousands of neurodiverse families survive and thrive in the face of ADHD and/or Autism.
In this episode, we get to hear all about Penny’s experience as a mom of a neurodiverse child and how she rose to the challenge and became an expert in helping parents and families see the right path for their children. Penny has so many encouraging things to say to parents and gives some good take-home tips as well. Learn more about Penny here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Heather,
“Hi Dr. Nicole, my four-and-a-half-year-old son is a good kid, but we can’t get him to focus on learning. All he wants to do is run and play. When they have circle time at school, he’ll only sit for four minutes, then he’s up and looking for something else. I am trying so hard to teach him his ABC’s, and he just says “Nope, let’s play.” or “Not now, mom”, but yet if I give him my cell phone, he can be on it for an hour watching shows without a problem. I just don't know what else to try. He’s also lacking in some speech development by about a year, and I have an appointment to get a referral for speech therapy. Not sure if I should ask about ADD or other issues.”
In this episode I will address the question - what is a normal attention span for a young child and why does screen time seem to hold their attention when nothing else will. I will also share effective strategies to improve focus and learning in children that never seem to want to sit still.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Tammi Van Hollander, a licensed clinical social worker and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She spent over 20 years working with children, families and individuals. Her work and creative interventions in the field of play therapy have been published and internationally recognized. Tammi is the author of a multi-sensory, attachment-based children’s book titled, Casey’s Greatness Wings: Teaching Mindfulness, Connection, and Courage to Children. The success of the book inspired her to create Casey’s Greatness Sticks & Greatness Cards to be used in schools, counseling and in the home. She specializes in attachment, sand tray play therapy & sensory integration work with infants, children, families, and adults. She is a certified Advanced Trainer for the Nurtured Heart Approach, a certified FirstPlay practitioner and a founding board member of The World Association for Sand Therapy Professionals.
In this episode, Tammi and I discuss the Nurtured Heart Approach. This is the relationship-focused approach to supporting kids with challenges (also works for children without a diagnosis). When we talk about behavior challenges, so often our focus goes to the negative, but it really is true that the things that we focus our energy on tend to become bigger. And as you’ll hear in this episode, that's one of the big reasons why there is a focus on the positive and on greatness in the Nurtured Heart Approach. We want to spotlight positives and focus our relational energy and interactions on the good in ourselves as well as our kids. Behavioral psychology is such a fascinating field and what I like about this method is that it helps to change everyone for the better. Learn more about Tammi here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Alexandra,
“How do I guide my 9-year-old, only child, to play independently with something other than his iPad?”
In this episode I will address the dreaded, “I’m bored!” complaint parents hear so often outside of screen-time. I will share creative ideas for non-device activities that your child can do independently, why boredom is actually healthy for development, and how to properly react to a child when they are upset with the boundaries and expectations that are set for them.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Jenny Friedman and I discuss How to manage picky eating issues with your kids. She is a registered dietitian who specializes in pediatric extreme picky eating. Known for her playful and approachable style, Jennifer is a leading resource for parents and professionals working with children who struggle at mealtimes. She is the author of Stories of Extreme Picky Eating and shares her insight on her website and her blog and on social media Learn more about Jenny Friedman here.
In this episode, Jenny and I discuss one of the most popular questions I get in the clinic “what to do with picky eaters?” She offers excellent expert advice in this episode that provides parents with a roadmap of where to start and how to think about this from their kids’ perspective. We’ll discuss the bridging method, language around food, and other changes you can make to food that help your child move in the right direction of trying more foods.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Nida,
“One of the things I'm struggling with right now is whether to focus on academics with my daughters this summer. Both of them are in elementary school and have some learning challenges. It has been a real struggle to help them focus and benefit from the virtual learning situations this past year. I'm feeling a lot of pressure from the school and my family to try to catch up with academics before the next school year, but I really feel like we all need a break from it. I am conflicted and wondering if you have an opinion on this.”
In this episode, I will address the dilemma parents are facing with feeling like their child may have fallen behind this last year in school. I'll give some insight on whether or not summer school might be a good option for your child and how to enjoy the summer while also best preparing your kids for the fall of 2021 school year.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Alisa Foreman. She has a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute. She has a strong passion for the field of psychology and supporting others on their life path through the power of therapy. She began her work at the California Counseling Center providing therapy to children, adolescents, couples, and families. She has also served as a child therapist for the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she has conducted individual and group therapy at the elementary through high school level. Alisa is the clinical director at Optimum Performance Institute and has been a part of that team for the past 11 years. She is enthusiastic about the work that she does there and the opportunity to help young adults on their journey to independence. She believes in the importance of finding joy and balance in life and building a healthy repertoire of skills to manage day-to-day life.
In this episode, Alisa Foreman and I discuss young adults, particularly the struggles that some of them experience with transitioning into independent adulthood, and how we can best support them. You may have heard the term “failure to launch”, which basically means that an individual who has the ability to move into independent adulthood has not yet been able to do so, and there can be a variety of reasons for that. Alisa and I give some examples of how parents can help young adults transition into adulthood successfully. Learn more about Alisa Foreman here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Audrey,
“My son is six and has been diagnosed with ADHD. We struggle with managing his impulsive and disrespectful behavior sometimes at home. His pediatrician says we should use more rewards and punishments and specifically told me to use exercise as a consequence or punishment when he does inappropriate things, like make him do push-ups, run up and down the stairs, jumping jacks, those kinds of things. Something about that just seems off to me, but maybe it is the best thing to do. What do you think?”
In this episode, I will address how to manage challenging behaviors in children with or without ADHD. Ultimately the real work, on the part of parents and professionals, is figuring out what kinds of skills the child is lacking that they resort to challenging behavior. Understanding why your child is unable to meet your expectations takes some observation, patience, and empathy. There are many ways you can help your child develop the skills to regulate their emotions, I give some examples of how to do this in this episode.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Ginny Yurich, a Michigan mom of 5 who committed several years ago to having her kids spend 1000 hours a year outdoors. She is the founder of 1000 Hours Outside. She is a thought-leader in the world of nature-based play and its benefits for children. One of her top priorities is to inspire parents to invest in spending time in nature with their children.
Her 1000 Hours Outside Challenge spans the globe and has been featured on The Today Show, Weather Channel, Better Homes and Gardens and so many more. Many from all walks of life look to her for inspiration as well as practical tips on how to put down the screens and get outside. Ginny has a degree in Mathematics, a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Michigan, is a speaker, author, and illustrator. Check out her children’s book, The Little Farmhouse in West Virginia and 1000 Hours Outside Activity Book, Low Tech Nature Activities in a High Tech World.
In this episode, Ginny and I discuss how to get kids to spend more time in nature and why it's so important for their development and mental health. There is overwhelming evidence supporting the health benefits of outdoor time and while it sounds easy to get outside more, it can be tricky. Lots of things can get in the way like weather, schedules, finding a safe place, etc. Ginny has some easy ways to approach and overcome these hurdles so it’s easier to make the commitment. We hope you and your family find your way to 1000 hours outdoors each year. Learn more about Ginny Yurich here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Rebecca,
“ My 9-year-old daughter has always been what I would describe as a worried or more anxious child. But in the past year, with COVID, it has really ramped up. She has developed fears around doing things that didn’t use to be a problem for her, including going to school. She is more clingy to me and concerned when I leave the house, and bedtime has become more frustrating because she doesn't want to sleep alone.
I raised these concerns with her pediatrician, who said she has an anxiety disorder and gave me a referral to a local counselor who works with kids. He also told me that she probably needs medication and offered a prescription which I was not interested in at the time. Now the counselor has met with her a few times and tells me that my daughter doesn't really open up in sessions and has severe anxiety that will require medication to treat. I feel conflicted about all of this because I'm not sure anyone is really looking at what’s going on, and I don’t want her on medication if there are other things that can be helpful. Are there alternatives to anxiety medication? Thanks for any insight you have.”
In this episode, I will discuss the many inputs that may be causing the child's anxiety. And how to communicate with your child's provider when you don't agree with their recommendations for medication. So I'm going to focus my answer there, recognizing that there are many very effective non-medication treatments for anxiety.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Mr. Chazz. His mission in life is to enjoy the process of becoming the best version of himself and help others do the same. He helps adults see, guide, and trust children. Mr. Chazz is an Educational Specialist who, “teaches teachers to teach” in a chain of Child Development Centers. He works closely with 8 different schools, 100s of teachers, and 1,000s of children. He has trained thousands of teachers in person and virtually, and earned his Master’s in Executive Leadership at American University. He is in the process of writing a book and has his own podcast called “Mr. Chazz’s Leadership, Parenting and Teaching Podcast. He also coaches people in his Patreon community.
In this episode, Mr. Chazz and I discuss how to break the cycle of the way we respond to children. The way we adults respond is rooted in our childhood experiences, how we were parented, and the models that we’ve had personally in our lives like teachers, coaches, older siblings, etc.
Once we understand these cycles, we can make a more conscious choice about what we want to keep and what we want to change in terms of our understanding and responses, and this gives us a really powerful foundation for truly supporting and meeting the needs of kids in more effective ways. Learn more about Mr. Chazz here.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Gina and Matt,
“Our 7-year-old son doesn't have a diagnosed condition but has always struggled with his attention and focus, is very active, and sometimes has trouble managing his behaviors. He struggles with his behavior at school and sometimes gets angry and lashes out when he feels frustrated and overwhelmed. It could be pushing or hitting another child, tearing up his papers, or running and hiding in the bathroom.
This year, we’ve had an issue with the school calling us when these things happen and insisting that we come to pick him up. He has been suspended multiple times, as they request that we keep him home when this happens.
We don’t feel like being sent home from school for bad behavior is solving the problem*, and in some ways, it’s teaching him that when he does these things he gets to come home. It's also very frustrating for us because we are busy in our work settings and have to drop everything to come and get him from school. We feel like there must be a better way to manage this but aren’t sure how to address it* or if we even have a say in the matter. Please help.”
In this episode, I will address considerations for disruptive behavior at school and how to work collaboratively with your child’s school to come up with solutions. Being sent home from school for bad behavior is not a viable long-term solution however there are ways you can work with the school to better support the child. I will also discuss the types of support programs that are commonly available, within most schools, to help your child.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Austin Perlmutter, a board-certified internal medicine physician and New York Times bestselling author. He received his medical degree from the University of Miami and completed his internal medicine residency at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland Oregon. His focus is on helping others to improve decision-making and quality of life.
He is also interested in methods of understanding and reducing burnout in the medical field, and he is the co-author of Brain Wash. He writes for Psychology Today on his blog, The Modern Brain.
In this episode, Austin and I discuss how the inputs of our daily lives affect our brains. When you recognize that the brain is always evolving to better adapt to the environment, you start to look at the inputs in your life that change your life. Like screen time, food, sleep, movement, connectedness, and mindfulness. These are all rewiring our brains on a daily basis. It is only when your body and mind feel strong and able, that you are capable of making good decisions about your inputs. If you are looking for ways to improve your cognition, decision-making, and mood, Austin includes lots of examples of how to do that. Learn more about Austin Perlmutter.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Katy,
“I’m wondering about your opinion on spanking a child who seems to be intentionally misbehaving and doesn't seem phased by anything else we do to stop inappropriate behavior.
Spanking or a threat of spanking seems to at least get his attention and stop the behavior for a bit. I don't like doing it but I feel like for really big things, maybe it's the only way to go. Wondering about your thoughts and if there is some kind of bigger damage I am doing if I use spanking on a very limited basis.”
In this episode, I will address why spanking is not an effective form of discipline and what to do instead. While many of us may have grown up getting spanked, we now have good evidence backed by research that shows that spanking is not the way to go. Mainly because spanking doesn’t address the root of the problem. I’ll also address why challenging behavior may be persisting and what to do about it.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Greg Santucci, he is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and the Founding Director of Power Play Pediatric Therapy in New Jersey. He has been an OT for over 20 years, and currently is a Supervisor of Occupational Therapy at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey. Greg is certified in sensory integration and continues to maintain a caseload in the schools and outpatient sensory gyms where he works.
In this episode, Greg and I discuss how many of the approaches being used with children who exhibit challenging behaviors are outdated, they are not supported by current research, and there are many adults on the autism spectrum and with related kinds of issues who have started to speak out about the trauma they experienced during these kinds of therapies when they were kids. Unfortunately, these types of approaches continue to be recommended in schools, in some therapy settings, and at home, so I’m thankful for people like Greg who are advocating for developmentally and neurologically supportive approaches that actually meet the needs of kids.
Learn more about Greg here.
Connect with Dr. Beurkens on
- Drbeurkens.com
This weeks question is from Elisa,
“My 14-year-old daughter doesn't like to go outside. She prefers being home and gets very uncomfortable in the spring and summer because she might sweat or because there are insects and bugs outside. She avoids any outdoor time now. I know it would be good for her to spend some time outdoors, and honestly, her anxiety about this gets in the way of activities she and our family need to do. Do you have any suggestions?”
In this episode, I will address several possibilities for why children may resist going outside. Anxiety could be at the core of this issue but it could also be caused by sensory processing issues. Either way, there are plenty of things you can do to you can help your child work through these feelings. Going outside is a healthy and natural part of life with so many benefits so I hope this episode helps you and your children get outside more often.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Debbie Reber, a New York Times best-selling author, podcast host, and speaker who moved her career in a more personal direction in 2016 when she founded TiLT Parenting, a top resource for parents like her who are raising differently wired children.
The TiLT Parenting Podcast has grown to be a top podcast in the iTunes Kids & Family category, with nearly 3 million downloads and a slate of guests that includes high-profile thought leaders across the parenting and education space. A certified Positive Discipline trainer and a regular contributor to Psychology Today and ADDitude Magazine, Debbie’s newest book is Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World.
In this episode, Debbie and I discuss what parenting a neurodiverse or differently wired kid looks like in today’s world. We put aside the stigma, the school-enforced goals, and the “fix” your child model and focus on the child’s strengths and needs. The journey of parenting a differently wired child is a marathon, not a sprint, Debbie offers amazing resources on where to start and how to help your child thrive. Learn more about Debbie’s work here.
Follow Debbie
- Website
- Instagram @tiltparenting @debbiereber
- Twitter @tiltparenting @debbiereber
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
This weeks question is from Rosa,
"I’m very concerned about my 5-year-old son. For the past 3 weeks, he has changed his behavior to the point where he doesn't want to go to school, says he's having nightmares, doesn't want to sleep alone, has eyes ‘shaking’, a funny stomach and he's complaining that his eyes hurt. I'm worried.
He has never had these issues before.
He did have some kind of flu illness about 3 weeks ago, and 2 weeks ago, he started in-person school. I don't know if those things are related or not, but I need to do something to help him.”
In this episode, I will address a few things that might be going on here. There could be some psychological and/or physiological components to this sudden behavior change. It could stem from the illness she describes, from the anxiety of starting school, or both. I’ll give her some tips on how to talk to her son about what she’s noticing and how to address these issues depending on where they stem from. It’s important to help kids develop coping skills, keep new activities to a minimum while they regulate, and keep an eye on their eating habits and sleep. And finally, I’ll explain why it’s important to discuss this with the child’s teacher. I hope many parents find this example and these tips helpful!
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Sheila Frick, an internationally esteemed clinician, lecturer, and pioneer in Occupational Therapy. Sheila has over 40 years of clinical experience, having worked in psychiatry, rehabilitation, and home health before specializing in pediatrics. Her expertise includes sensory processing dysfunction, sensory integration, and auditory interventions. Sheila is well-known for expanding sensory processing treatments to include sound interventions.
She has trained over 15,000 therapists worldwide to implement Therapeutic Listening within their clinical practice. She lectures on topics like clinical neurology, respiration, the vestibular/auditory system, and various auditory interventions. She is also the creator and author of Listening With the Whole Body, along with several other books and resources.
In this episode, Sheila and I discuss the connection between listening, sensory processing, sensory integration, and brain function. When most people think about sensory processing, they might think of things like sensitivity to touch or light, or maybe a child having a difficult time tolerating taste or textures in food, or maybe even somebody being overwhelmed by loud noises, but the auditory components of sensory processing go well beyond that, and we can actually use different aspects of listening as a therapeutic tool to support sensory processing and brain functioning. Learn more about Sheila Frick here.
Follow Sheila Frick
- Website
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
This week's question is from Teresa,
“My 10-year-old daughter can create huge messes, not only in her room but also in every room in her house, from the living room to the kitchen to the bathroom. She moves from one thing to the next so quickly that I could spend my whole day cleaning up after her.
I get that she has executive functioning problems associated with her ADHD, learning challenges, and trauma issues. However, even when reminded or when help is offered, she is extremely resistant and does everything from ignoring the request to refusing to completely flee the situation.
Even when I try the “When/Then” strategy, it can turn into a huge battle to try to get her to accomplish the clean-up that she's more than capable of.
And most of the time, I offer to help and/or get her started. Is there a better way to hold her accountable for the messes she makes? I’ve tried doing clean-up several times a day so it's smaller, but the resistance is the same. We’ve tried talking when she’s in good spirits about how when everyone helps, we have more time for fun stuff together, but she just doesn’t seem to get it, and it's really wearing on me. Help.”
In this episode, I provide proactive strategies, executive function skills strategies, and some reactive strategies for how to address this kind of situation. I hope parents everywhere will find these strategies to be helpful.
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Michelle Winner, MA, CCC-SLP who specializes in the treatment of individuals with social learning challenges and is the founder and CEO of Social Thinking®, a company dedicated to helping individuals from four through adulthood develop their social competencies to meet their personal social goals. Michelle coined the term “Social Thinking” in the mid-1990s and since that time has created numerous unique treatment frameworks and curricula that help educators, clinicians, professionals of all types, and parents/family members appreciate that social capabilities are integral to a person’s success in life, socially, academically, and professionally.
In this episode, Michelle and I discuss what social skills actually entail. Most people, including education professionals, believe that social skills can be taught the way other competencies are taught. Michelle has dedicated her entire career to helping school professionals and parents understand that social skills involve so much more. That’s why she created “Social Thinking” courses. Many people have the ability to hear their own thoughts, that inner voice, and observe their thoughts before speaking or taking action. This enables them to engage in a conversation, join a group, meet new people, etc. Michelle noticed early on that there are many people in the world, even high academic achievers, who do not possess this ability innately. So she has designed several programs, developed research, and written many papers on how to help people learn social thinking. Head over to SocialThinking.com for lots of free resources on this topic.
This question comes from Travis and Mandy:
“Our son is 9 years old and has never slept well, even since he was a baby. He has always been very active, tends to overreact to even small things and is irritable most days. Since he has been in school, we’ve had concerns raised by his teachers every year about his difficulty with staying still, focusing, being impulsive and getting his work done.
We definitely see these things at home when we try to get him to do homework or focus on things he doesn’t want to do. We're trying to get him to bed on time but he really struggles to fall asleep and then comes out of his room a lot.
He wants to get in bed with us, which we let him do most of the time so we can get some sleep. We’ve noticed that he moves around a ton during the night and we’re constantly getting kicked.
He wakes up grouchy most mornings and it's really hard to get him going.
Our pediatrician and some family members have suggested that he probably has ADHD and maybe some other kinds of behavioral issues and should be evaluated, but I can't help but think that his bad sleep might have something to do with these problems. We’d love any insights you have on this. Thanks. Travis and Mandy.”
In this episode, I will address several things that I recommend looking at in order to get an idea of the main issues that are keeping your child from a good night's sleep. These are things you want to consider before going in for some kind of mental health or behavior diagnosis. Things like physiological and psychological barriers that interrupt sleep, snoring, or night mares for example. I’ll talk about sleep routines, sleep quantity and quality, and of course nutrition.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Julia Rucklidge, a Professor of Clinical Psychology in the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing at the University of Canterbury, the Director of Te Puna Toiora, the Mental Health, and Nutrition Research Lab, and co-author of The Better Brain.
Julia completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Calgary, in 2000, she immigrated to New Zealand. Over the last twenty years, Professor Rucklidge has become well known for her research investigating the interface between nutrition and mental health and has published over 140 scientific papers. Julia is also the recipient of numerous local and international awards, including named as one of the top 100 influential women in New Zealand, and is frequently featured in the media discussing her work. Her TEDx talk, “The surprisingly dramatic role of nutrition in mental health” has been viewed over 1.7 million times. She recently created a free EdX online course for the public on mental health and nutrition. Having witnessed conventional treatments failing so many people, Julia is passionate about helping people find alternative treatments for their psychiatric symptoms. Through her focus on translating research into practice, she hopes to help make nutritional interventions mainstream.
In this episode, Julia and I discuss the compelling research on the connection between nutrition and mental health challenges such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. There is definitive research that supports food and nutrition as a natural treatment for these issues and for too long this research has been dismissed. Julia is committed to ongoing research in this area and gives parents good reason to consider micro-nutrient therapy first before pharmaceuticals.
Learn more about Julia Rucklidge...
- Book - The Better Brain
- Instagram - @ucmentalhealthandnutrition
- Facebook - @mentalhealthandnutrition
- Twitter - @JuliaRucklidge
- Website
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
This weeks question is from Marisol,
“I have felt for a while that my boys seem easier to manage when they haven't been eating a lot of sweets and junk food. One of my sons seems especially sensitive to food. He gets really hyper with sugar, and yet he really craves it. So it's hard to balance sometimes. He throws a lot of temper tantrums and gets upset really easily. His preschool teachers have noted he seems more irritable and acts out more than the other kids.
A big challenge is that my husband doesn't think there's any reason to consider food when it comes to our kids' behavior or health in general. He says they aren't overweight, so it's not a problem. He doesn't think there's any reason to consider the ways we feed the boys in terms of their learning and their behavior. I know this isn't true, but how can I get him to understand and help me make some changes that might help?"
In this episode, I will address the food-behavior connection and will talk about why some parents resist changing their children's diet and how to get them on the same page. If a partner still doesn’t agree, I’ll give you some tips on how to keep moving forward with what you think is best for you and your children.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Autumn Smith, the co-founder of Paleovalley and Wild Pastures. Autumn holds a Masters in Holistic Nutrition, she's a Certified Eating Psychology Coach and a Certified FDN Practitioner. Her passion for health began with her own struggles with IBS and anxiety: despite a career as a professional dancer and celebrity fitness trainer, Autumn’s own health was in shambles. Desperate for a cure, she and her husband Chas stumbled upon the paleo diet in 2011 and within a month of beginning it, her health was completely transformed. Autumn then made it her mission to share the information she had learned with as many people as possible: that's when she co-founded Paleovalley, an organic whole-food supplement and paleo snack food company that prioritizes nutrient density and food quality.
In this episode, Autumn and I discuss the nature of kids' diets today and how parents can make small shifts to improve the quality and nutrient density of the food they take in. Kids can certainly survive on a diet of carbs and high-sugar dairy products but they can't necessarily thrive on that diet. Growing brains need good-quality protein, fats, and greens in order to function and grow to their potential. Paleovalley has made it really easy to incorporate these small shifts. Their beef and turkey sticks are packed with nutrition and protein, their bars are delicious and full of healthy fats and just one serving per day of their kid-friendly greens powder has enough nutrients to hit your daily intake of greens.
Follow Autumn Smith * Instagram - @PaleoValley * Facebook - lovepaleovalley
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
This week's question is from Jessica,
“My son struggles with sitting still at school and while doing homework. He is medicated (for ADHD) but his teacher and others at his school are recommending I increase his medication but I don’t know if I want to do that. What should I do?”
In this episode, I will address a number of things that I think will be helpful for all parents. Not just kids who have been diagnosed with ADHD. The number one takeaway here is that movement while learning is not only normal for all kids but it is essential for learning. Then I will give lots of helpful tips about things you can do to help your child learn in a way that works for them. Lastly, I will address medication and why it is not the teacher's job to recommend medication.
You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
I want to welcome back Julie Lythcott-Haims the New York Times bestselling author of the anti-helicopter parenting manifesto How to Raise an Adult. Julie believes in humans and is deeply interested in what gets in our way. Her TED Talk on the subject has more than 5 million views, and in 2020 she became a regular contributor with CBS This Morning on parenting. Her second book is the critically-acclaimed and award-winning prose poetry memoir Real American, which illustrates her experience as a Black and biracial person in white spaces. Her third book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult, is out now! Julie is a former corporate lawyer and Stanford dean who holds a BA from Stanford, a JD from Harvard, and an MFA in Writing from California College of the Arts. Julie serves on several boards for organizations doing meaningful work in the world and is a mother of young adult children.
In this episode, Julie and I discuss the nuances of becoming an adult. When does it happen, after graduation? Your first job? Moving out of your parent's house? The fact is, becoming an adult is different for everyone. There is no road sign that you pass along the way with "welcome to adulthood" in bright lights. Becoming an adult is a process and a journey. Julie wrote Your Turn: How to Be an Adult for everyone, no matter the circumstance. The inclusivity in this book is commendable. I recommend this book to all parents and most importantly to anyone looking for a guide on how to become an adult.
Learn more about Julie Lythcott-Haims * julielythcotthaims.com * @jlythcotthaims on Instagram, facebook, TikTok, Twitter * Book: Your Turn: How to Be an Adult
Welcome to the first of many Q & A episodes where I answer your questions! You can submit a question by emailing us at support@drbeurkens.com with the subject line "Podcast Question."
Our first question is from Gina,
"My 13-year-old daughter is struggling with anxiety and mood issues. It seems to be worse the past year and a half. She seems to be anxious about school work, her relationship with her friend, and bad things happening to us (her parents). She's spending a lot of time in her room, has decided not to eat meat, and seems tired and out of touch. She saw a counselor before COVID and seemed to find that helpful. What should I do"
In the episode, I break down my observations and tips into these categories Normal teen behavior, Anxiety symptoms and triggers, Sleep, Nutrition, and Counseling. These kinds of questions are very common in my practice and so I think this episode will resonate well with parents of tweens and teens. Tune in each week for more Q & A episodes!
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Drew Ramsey, a psychiatrist, author, farmer, teacher, and advocate who is a long-time proponent of the healing power of food, understanding dietary change to help balance moods, sharpen brain function and improve mental health. He is a leading innovator in mental health, combining clinical excellence, nutritional interventions, and creative media. He is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and in active clinical practice in New York City. His work and writing have been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, Lancet Psychiatry, and NPR, which named him a “kale evangelist”, and he’s made appearances on the Today Show, BBC, and TEDx. He is the author of 4 books, Eat to Beat Depression & Anxiety, Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients that Fuel Brain Power, Boost Weight Loss and Transform Your Health, 50 Shades of Kale, and The Happiness Diet. His new e-course, Eat To Beat Depression, helps people maximize their brain health with every bite.
In this episode, Dr. Ramsey and I discuss how to eat to beat depression and anxiety. Nutrient density plays a huge role in supporting brain growth and mental health so what should we eat? Dr. Drew gives us a list of important nutrients for brain function and a list of what he calls power foods. While you may think that leafy greens and salmon will not be popular on your kid's plate, Dr. Drew encourages us to try to add these foods in a way that isn’t jarring. We’re not talking about a total overhaul here but instead, looking for ways you can make a pancake or a smoothie more nutrient dense.
Learn more about Dr. Drew Ramsey
- Website
- Instagram @drewramseymd
- Twitter @DrewRamseyMD
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Caroline Leaf, a communication pathologist and cognitive neuroscientist with a Masters and Ph.D. in Communication Pathology. Since the early 1980s, Dr. Leaf has researched the mind-brain connection, the nature of mental health, and the formation of memory. During her years in clinical practice and work with thousands of underprivileged teachers and students in her home country of South Africa and in the US, she developed her theory of how we think, build memory, and learn, into tools and processes that have transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and even issues like anxiety and depression. Dr. Leaf is the bestselling author of multiple books, including her newest release, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess. She is currently conducting clinical trials using the 5-step program she developed to further demonstrate the effectiveness of mind-directed techniques to help relieve problems such as anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts.
In this episode, Dr. Leaf and I discuss how to change your brain by changing your mind through mind-directed techniques taught in her new book, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess. Dr. Leaf shares with the audience how her techniques like “Neurocycling” and “Brain-building” can be used to relieve mental health problems such as anxiety and depression and to improve developmental and learning disabilities. To learn more about Dr. Caroline Leaf click here.
Where to learn more about Dr. Caroline Leaf …
- DrLeaf.com
- Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess Book
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Michelle Icard, an author, speaker and educator who helps kids, parents, and teachers navigate the complicated social world of early adolescence. Her latest book is Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen, which guides readers through the fourteen essential conversations parents need to have with their kids before they begin high school. Michelle is a member of the TODAY Show parenting team, NBC News Learn, and her work has been featured in the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, Redbook, Time, and People. Her leadership curriculum for middle schoolers, Athena's Path, and Hero's Pursuit, have been implemented at schools across the U.S., and her summer camp curriculum is offered at more than 20 camps each summer.
In this episode, Michelle and I discuss the tricky stages of how to communicate effectively with teens and tweens as they navigate growth and desire more independence. Michelle shares with parents how to engage with their teens during these formative years of social and emotional changes and ways to maintain their interest while growing in respect of one another.
Where to learn more about Michelle Icard …
- MichelleIcard.com
- Book: Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen
- Less Stressed Middle School Parents Facebook Group
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Asia Muhammad, a naturopathic doctor who values the power of lifestyle modifications to achieve optimal health. Asia uses evidence-based medicine to provide individualized care to each patient. As a naturopathic doctor, she is able to provide care in the realm of nutrition, exercise recommendations, supplementation, botanical medicine, and mind-body therapies such as hypnosis. Asia has a special interest in gastroenterology, mind-body medicine, and stress management, as increasing research demonstrates the role of stress in disease. She has received additional training in mind-body therapies, including hypnosis, guided imagery, biofeedback, autogenic training, and progressive muscle relaxation.
In this episode, Dr. Muhummad and I discuss how to identify and treat your child’s constipation naturally. Constipation is one of the most common physical health complaints in children that can result in both physical and emotional discomfort. Dr.Muhummad demonstrates the connection of mood, anxiety, and behavior challenges in relationship to constipation and safe and effective ways to immediately address constipation. To learn more about Dr. Asia Muhammad click here.
Where to learn more about Asia Muhammad …
- AsiaMuhammad.com
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Michele Borba, an internationally renowned educational psychologist and expert in parenting, bullying, and character development. She is an award-winning author of 22 books that have been translated into 14 languages. As one of the foremost authorities on childhood development, she is an NBC contributor who appears regularly on Today and has been featured as an expert on Dateline, The View, Dr. Phil, NBC Nightly News, Fox & Friends, The Dr. Oz Show, and The Early Show and more. Dr. Borba blends 40 years of teaching and consulting experience with the latest science to offer sound, realistic advice to parents, teachers, and child advocates about helping children thrive.
In this episode, Dr. Borba and I discuss the science behind her seven teachable traits to help children thrive throughout childhood and into adulthood. After decades of experience and research, Dr. Borba shares practical and actionable tips and tools for parents to raise happier, healthier, and more resilient children. To learn more about Dr. Michele Borba click here.
Where to learn more about Michele Borba …
- MicheleBorba.com
- Thrivers Book
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Melanie Potock, an international speaker on the topic of feeding babies, toddlers, and school-age kids. She is the co-author of the award-winning Raising a Healthy Happy Eater: A Stage-by-Stage Guide to Setting Your Child on the Path to Adventurous Eating. The tips in her parent and child cookbook, Adventures in Veggieland: Help Your Kids Learn to Love Vegetables with 100 Easy Activities and Recipes, are based on the latest research and Melanie’s 20 years of success as a pediatric feeding therapist. Melanie’s children’s book You are Not an Otter takes preschoolers on a food adventure, exploring all the ways that various animals eat! Melanie’s advice has been shared in a variety of television and print media, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, CNN.com, and Parents Magazine.
In this episode, Melanie and I discuss key strategies for families with picky eaters. By working to build skill and ability around food, Melanie helps bring joy back into mealtimes for families struggling with severe picky eaters. Utilizing research-backed practices, Melanie walks parents through identifying whether professional intervention is necessary and the steps to take that yield real results for their family. Often children who suffer from severe eating problems experience heightened anxiety and hesitancy around food that can affect their personal and social development regardless of whether they have a pre-existing developmental disorder.
Where to learn more about Melanie Potock …
- MelaniePotock.com
- Melanie’s Books
- Free Downloads
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Leslie Josel-Principal, an ADHD-academic and parenting coach and award-winning entrepreneur having founded Order Out of Chaos – a virtual company whose mission is to help parents guide their students to success in learning and in life. Leslie is the creator of the award-winning Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management®, a planner that helps students develop time management skills, and the award-winning author of 3 books including the recently published, “How to Do it Now Because it’s Not Going Away: An Expert Guide to Getting Stuff Done.” A respected resource on ADHD and Executive Functioning, Leslie writes the weekly “Dear ADHD Family Coach” column for ADDitude Magazine, the premiere magazine for adults and children with ADHD and LD. She speaks to audiences all over the world helping them utilize their resources to best navigate the task-driven world in which they live. This past October, Leslie’s line of student organizing products – a collaboration with organizing products company, Samsill Corp – was released. And for the last four years, Leslie has been named by Global Gurus as one of the top 20 Time Management experts in the world.
Where to learn more about Leslie Josel …
- Order of Chaos Website
- Leslie’s New Book
- Personal Homework Guide FREE download
My guest this week is Dr. Bonnie Kaplan, a research psychologist and semi-retired Professor at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine. Dr. Bonnie has published widely on the biological basis of developmental disorders and mental health – particularly, the contribution of nutrition to brain development and brain function. Her efforts to include nutrition knowledge in the care of people with mental health challenges have earned her a variety of awards, including the Dr. Rogers Prize and in 2017 she was selected as one of 150 Canadian Difference Makers in Mental Health.
In this episode, Dr. Kaplan and I discuss how to make pill swallowing easier for children and adults. Dr. Kaplan’s evidence-based techniques have helped thousands conquer this essential life skill. Many children and adults, especially those dealing with developmental and mental health disorders, struggle daily with pill-swallowing whether it be necessary vitamins, minerals, or vital medications. Dr. Kaplan shares key tips on how to successfully implement her pill-swallowing techniques empowering its users to independently manage this daily task entirely on their own. Dr. Kaplan’s new book, ‘The Better Brain’, co-authored with her former student Dr. Julia Rucklidge, is full of anecdotes, stories, and simplified scientific works to help readers understand the importance of nutrients for brain function.
Where to learn more about Dr. Bonnie Kaplan…
- BonnieJKaplan.com
- The Better Brain Book
- Pill Swallowing Instructional Video + Resources
- British Medical Journal Article
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
This week we are celebrating the 100th episode of the Better Behavior Show! Within this episode, I will cover five key takeaways themes that have stood out to me as overarching lessons learned throughout the course of the show's history. Over the past two years, I’ve interviewed some of the most incredible leaders in the fields of education, psychology, developmental health, integrative and functional health, mental health, and more. It has been an unforgettable experience and I am so grateful to all of our listeners and guests that have supported us on this journey. Here is to the next 100 episodes!
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Eli Lebowitz, a professor at the Yale School of Medicine Child Study Center who directs the Program for Anxiety Disorders while studying and treating childhood and adolescent anxiety. Dr. Lebowitz’s research focuses on the development, neurobiology, and treatment of anxiety and related disorders, with special emphasis on family dynamics and the role of parents in these disorders. He is the lead investigator on multiple funded research projects and is the author of research papers, books, and chapters on childhood and adolescent anxiety. Dr. Lebowitz’s work has been recognized by private and public organizations including the Brain and Behavior Foundation, the National Institute of Mental Health, and The National Center for Advancing Translational Science. He is also the father of three great boys.
In this episode, Dr. Lebowitz and I discuss the steps to an effective at-home approach to treat children’s anxiety and OCD. By utilizing the scientifically proven program, SPACE, Dr. Lebowitz demonstrates how this parent-focused approach can result in improvement not only for the child suffering from anxiety or OCD but for the entire family unit. Dr. Lebowitz gives parents and caregivers the tools for empowerment and success to help their child overcome anxiety and OCD in his new step-by-step book, ‘Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD’.
Where to learn more about Dr. Eli Lebowitz...
- SpaceTreatment.net
- Breaking Free of Childhood Anxiety and OCD
- SPACE Provider Directory
- SPACE Resources
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. John Ratey, an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. Dr. Ratey has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, and 11 books including the groundbreaking ADD-ADHD “Driven to Distraction” series with Ned Hallowell, MD. With the publication of "Spark-The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain," Dr. Ratey established himself as one of the world's foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection. His new book, “ADHD 2.0” delves into new science around ADHD and essential strategies for thriving with distraction from childhood through adulthood. Recognized by his peers as one of the “Best Doctors in America”, Dr. Ratey has been honored by the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society as "Outstanding Psychiatrist of the Year" for advancing the field. He and his work are frequently profiled in the media, where he’s been featured in a wide variety of broadcast and print media.
In this episode, Dr. Ratey and I discuss the growing diagnosis of ADHD in children and adults and effective strategies to help them thrive. Backed by research, Dr. Ratey reveals key correlations in the brain's networks and demonstrates how important human connection, daily environment, movement, meditation, and medicine can be to support its attention and focus.
Where to learn more about Dr. John Ratey...
- johnratey.com
- Dr. Ratey’s New Book
- YouTube
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Danenberg, known as“Dr. Al”, a periodontist treating oral health in integrative and innovative ways with over 44 years of private practice experience. Dr. Al has incorporated ancestral nutrition and lifestyle with his leading-edge laser protocol to treat periodontal disease. Since retiring, Dr. Al continues to consult with patients virtually worldwide regarding nutrition, lifestyle, oral and overall health, and the importance of a healthy gut and immune system. Dr. Al is a certified functional medicine practitioner, published author, scientific advisor, and cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with incurable bone marrow cancer in September 2018 and was given only 3-6 months to live. Dr. Al rejected all chemotherapy and is thriving today.
Where to learn more about Dr. Al Danenberg...
- drdanenberg.com
- The Better Belly Blueprint
- Is Your Gut Killing You?
- Free Guide - 4 Steps To A Healthy Mouth
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh, a board-certified Pediatrician in Los Angeles, California who specializes in Integrative Medicine. Dr. Gator grew up in Toronto, Canada, and completed a Master’s Degree in Epidemiology and Community Health before earning his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College. He completed his Pediatric Residency at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) and has worked in private practice in Beverly Hills before founding his current practice, Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine, in 2018. Dr. Gator has published research in peer-reviewed journals on topics including childhood injuries, obesity, and physical activity. He has been featured in numerous documentaries, films, podcasts, and articles including Broken Brain, Dr. Nandi Show, CBS, LA Parent, and many others. He is also the owner of IntegrativePediatrics.com and the host of the Integrative Pediatrics Summit.
In this episode, Dr. Gator and I discuss how to choose the right doctor and effectively advocate for your child’s specific healthcare needs. Choosing a physician or breaking up with one can be difficult no matter the stage in your child’s life, from primary care doctors to integrative medicine specialists, it is important to choose your physician based on your specific need of care and expectations. Specializing in integrative and holistic pediatrics, Dr. Gator encourages parents to do their research and look into and discuss natural medicine alternatives with their physicians before quickly resulting in pharmaceutical medications for every ailment. Dr. Gator shares ways to effectively communicate with your physician and empowers parents to get a second opinion when they feel their concerns are being overlooked and unheard.
Where to learn more about Dr. Joel Gator Warsh...
- IntegrativePediatrics.com
- Dr. Gator’s Instagram
- Integrative Pediatrics Instagram
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, an OB-Gyn and Integrative Medicine physician. Dr. Hackenmiller completed OB-Gyn residency at Western Pennsylvania-Temple University in Pittsburgh and is a fellowship graduate of the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. She is board certified by both the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Board of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Hackenmiller holds additional certifications in herbal medicine and is a certified forest therapy guide. She has served as medical director for the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and currently is medical advisor for AllTrails. She is the award-winning author of “The Outdoor Adventurer’s Guide to Forest Bathing” and “A Friend Like John, Understanding Autism.” She speaks nationally and internationally about autism, integrative medicine, and nature therapy.
To learn more about forest bathing and Dr. Hackenmiller click here.
Where to learn more about Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller...
- IntegrativeInitiative.com
- Book - The Outdoor Adventurer's Guide To Forest Bathing
- Book - A Friend Like John Understanding Autism
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Emily Holl, the Director of The Sibling Support Project, the first national program dedicated to the life-long and ever-changing concerns of millions of brothers and sisters of people with special developmental and health concerns. Emily is a social worker, author, and trainer who has provided workshops and groups for siblings and families, presented extensively on sibling issues, and has conducted and published sibling research. A sibling, and board member of the national Sibling Leadership Network, Emily has written about her experiences in blogs, magazines, and books such as “Thicker than Water” and as co-editor of, “The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Adult Brothers and Sisters of People with Disabilities”. Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts, a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University, and a Master of Social Work from Hunter College at the City University of New York.
In this episode, Emily and I discuss how to support siblings of children with disabilities. Emily encourages parents to connect with these siblings to create an open, supportive dialogue to help them navigate their experience and discuss their sibling's disabilities with their peers without creating stigmas. Often these siblings seek answers to questions that lead them to false understandings of the realities around their siblings' disability. Can they catch the disability? Did they cause it themselves? Emily helps parents combat these falsehoods and provides them with countless resources to aid in the support of the family as a whole.
Where to learn more about Emily Holl ...
- SiblingSupport.org
- The Sibling Survival Guide Book
- Sibling Leadership Network
My guest this week is Kendra Wilde, the founder of Wild Peace for Parents, an online resource to bolster parent resilience. Kendra knows that when kids struggle, parents do too. After burning out from chronic stress, she dedicated herself to discovering simple strategies to manage stress and restore wellbeing in the midst of it all. Kendra is on a mission to lift and inspire parents through workshops, digital art, and writing, to take care of themselves so their children can thrive, too. Kendra has a BA in economics from Colorado College and a M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. She lives in the Boston area with her husband and her three sons.
In this episode, Kendra and I discuss self-care micro-actions that parents can take to avoid burnout and to boost their resilience.
Where to learn more about Kendra Wilde...
- wildpeace.org
- Free Roots of Resilience Guide
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Janet Lansbury, creator, and host of one of the most downloaded parenting podcasts, “Unruffled” and author of two bestselling books, Elevating Child Care: A Guide to Respectful Parenting and No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame. Inspired by the pioneering philosophy of her friend and mentor, Magda Gerber, Janet encourages parents and child care professionals to perceive babies as unique, capable human beings with natural abilities to learn. Janet enjoys teaching weekly classes on RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) and spending time with her three children.
In this episode, Janet and I discuss how to calmly and confidently parent children through RIE principles and techniques. By approaching children as natural explorers and self-learners through RIE, parents learn to spend more time in observation of their children versus the constant need to entertain or fill any voids in their daily activities. The RIE philosophy helps parents confidently take that step back while remaining present, supportive, and engaged in their child’s growth and development.
Where to learn more about RIE and Janet Lansbury...
- JanetLansbury.com
- Unruffled Podcast
- Janet Lansbury Books
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Liz Lipski, owner of the Innovative Healing Academy, professor and Director of the Academic Development for the graduate programs in Clinical Nutrition at Maryland University of Integrative Health. Dr. Lipski is on faculty for The Institute for Functional Medicine, and the Metabolic Medicine Institute fellowship program. She serves on the board for the American Nutrition Association, and advisory boards for the Certified International Health Coaches, and the Autism Hope Alliance. Dr. Lipski has been a co-author in peer-reviewed papers and is the author of several books: Digestive Wellness, Digestive Wellness for Children, and Leaky Gut Syndrome, and a video course The Art of Digestive Wellness. After 30 years of clinical practice, she devotes her time to teaching, writing and building the field of personalized nutrition.
In this episode, Dr. Lipski and I discuss the connection between digestion, mental health, and development in kids.
Where to learn more about Dr. Liz Lipski...
- InnovativeHealing.com
- Innovative Healing Academy
- Digestive Health Appraisal Questionnaire
- Maryland University of Integrative Health
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Faith Clarke, a business strategist and inclusion specialist with a background in computer engineering and education. Faith is a current doctoral student in the psychology of new venture teams and works full-time to help socially conscious businesses level up their productivity through their people and processes. She especially loves to do this with special needs family-run businesses who create space for people with all abilities. Her book, Parenting Like a Ninja, an autism mom’s guide to professional productivity, is an Amazon bestseller and reflects her own journey with the crazy chaos of special needs parenting, and the need to harness energy and be productive. Faith believes entrepreneurship is a perfect, mental and psychological health choice for many special needs parents.
In this episode, Faith and I discuss ways to maintain energy and productivity as a special needs parent. After many years of navigating her son’s non-verbal autism, Faith recognized areas of her life that needed appreciation in order for her to be her best self and parent to her children. She mindfully navigates these difficult areas and aids the audience to ask themselves tough questions that are often avoided when it comes to self-care practices. Faith provides parents tangible experiences and examples to learn from whilst providing practical and impactful strategies on how parents can take the first step towards thriving and not just surviving.
Where to learn more about Faith Clarke...
- Parenting Like A Ninja on Amazon
- Email Faith
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Georgie Powell, a former Google executive turned entrepreneur and now founder of Sentient Digital. Georgie is a recognized expert & and speaker on Digital Wellbeing, committed to helping millions of people consciously connect with technology. Her company, Sentient Digital, is Responsible Technology & Digital Wellbeing Consultancy that works with organizations to build strategies and products which have a positive impact on their teams and the world. Georgie works with researchers around the world to better understand the relationship between technology and humans. Georgie has worked with start-ups building Digital Wellbeing and Responsible Technology products and is an ambassador to leading parental control app, Qustodio.
In this episode, Georgie and I discuss how to cultivate digital wellbeing for children and adults. Georgie covers a range of useful tips for parents finding it difficult to manage their children's digital use habits, as well as, struggles with their own personal tech habits. Georgie shares alarming research findings around children and adolescent's use of technology and empowers parents to take action by setting attainable and appropriate boundaries for the whole family.
Where to learn more about Georgie Powell...
- SentientDigitalConsulting.com
- Sentient Digital Insights Blog
- Qustodio App
- Common Sense Media
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Audrey Monke, owner and director of Gold Arrow Camp in Lakeshore, California, and one of the nation’s most well-respected experts on the topics of summer camp and friendship skills. With over three decades of experience as camp director, Audrey Monke has devoted her life to helping raise happy, healthy, independent, responsible kids through the power of camping experiences. Audrey shares her wisdom and experience with parents and educators through her podcast, coaching, speaking engagements, workshops, and in her book, Happy Campers: 9 Summer Camp Secrets for Raising Kids Who Become Thriving Adults.
In this episode, Audrey and I discuss how parents can create transformational camp culture benefits for kids at home during a pandemic. Audrey encourages parents with children of all abilities and challenges to never cross camp off their list of possibilities for their child. With research-based strategies and real-life stories, Audrey shows how beneficial and transformational camp culture can be for children of all ages to learn independence and flourish into responsible young adults. To learn more about Audrey Monke click here.
Where to learn more about Audrey Monke...
- SunshineParenting.com
- Happy Campers Book
- Sunshine Parenting Podcast
My guest this week is Dr. Stacy Thomas, a Clinical Psychologist, CEO, and Clinical Director of The Design Your Life Centre, a psychology practice in Toronto. With about 20 years of experience helping people navigate some of life’s most difficult journeys such as chronic pain, serious chronic illness, infertility, pregnancy loss, and sudden traumatic events, Dr. Stacy’s strength is in her ability to recognize resilience and teach people how to apply proven psychological strategies in order to move past mere survival and thrive in the face of adversity. Her work with clients seamlessly interweaves Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness Practices, Mental Skills for High Performance, and Clinical Hypnosis, with a keen understanding of the limiting life patterns that need to be broken in order for us to break free and truly show up as our authentic selves. Her mission to democratize mental health motivated her to create The Growing Forward Journal, and The Growing Forward Soul School, an online community focused on helping people grow consciously through whatever life brings. She has also been asked to host several online summits for Mindful World, including the Mindful World Parenting Summits which have reached a global audience of 200,000 households to date.
Where to learn more about Dr. Stacy Thomas...
- GrowingForwardJournal.com
- DrStacyThomas.com
- Instagram: Dr. Stacy
- Instagram: Growing Forward Soul School
- Instagram: Design Your Life Centre
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Tom Moorcroft, a board-certified Osteopathic physician who is a global leader in solving complex medical mysteries. Dr. Tom is an expert in the treatment of chronic infectious and autoimmune diseases, including viral illnesses, Lyme disease, Mold illness, and Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (often referred to as PANS). He has over 2 decades of experience in the hospital and private practice helping his patients regain their health. Dr. Tom’s personal and professional medical philosophy focuses on optimizing the body's self-healing systems in order to achieve optimal health with simple, natural interventions.
In this episode, Dr. Tom and I discuss how parents can support neuropsychiatric symptoms caused by chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, and viral illnesses such as Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses, strep, mold toxicity, PANS/PANDAS, and more.
Where to learn more about Dr. Tom Moorcroft ...
- OriginsOfHealth.com
- Youtube
- Coronavirus - Voices of Reason
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Julie Lythcott-Haims the New York Times bestselling author of the anti-helicopter parenting manifesto How to Raise an Adult. Julie believes in humans and is deeply interested in what gets in our way. Her TED Talk on the subject has more than 5 million views, and in 2020 she became a regular contributor with CBS This Morning on parenting. Her second book is the critically-acclaimed and award-winning prose poetry memoir Real American, which illustrates her experience as a Black and biracial person in white spaces. Her third book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult, will be out in April 2021. Julie is a former corporate lawyer and Stanford dean who holds a BA from Stanford, a JD from Harvard, and an MFA in Writing from California College of the Arts. Julie serves on several boards for organizations doing meaningful work in the world and is a mother of young adult children.
In this episode, Julie and I discuss the importance of breaking down the cycle of overparenting and how to work towards raising capable and self-competent adults. Julie introduces the audience to various parental behaviors such as the overprotective parent, the fiercely directive parent, and the concierge parent. All with their own characteristics, Julie explicitly paints a picture of how each of these behaviors hinders a child’s ability to learn, perform, and succeed on their own and for their betterment now and in their future. Julie strives to help parents shatter these walls and lead them towards a healthier relationship with themselves and their children for years to come.
Where to learn more about Julie Lythcott-Haims...
-
- JulieLythcottHaims.com
- Julie's Books
- Pre-Order Your Turn: How To Be An Adult
- 4-Step Method For Teaching Your Kid A Skill
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guests this week are Dr. Michael Warren and Dr. Emily Ventura, the authors of the brand new book ‘Sugarproof’. Dr. Goran is one of the world’s most widely-recognized experts in childhood nutrition and obesity research, with more than 30 years of experience as a researcher, mentor, and educator. He is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, co-director of the USC Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute, and leads the Program in Diabetes and Obesity at Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, he’s also the father of two daughters. Dr. Emily Ventura is an experienced nutrition educator, public health advocate, writer, and cook. She completed her master's in public health and her Ph.D. in health behavior research at The University of Southern California. She was selected as a Fulbright scholar to teach public health nutrition in Italy and now lives in California where she works as a writer, recipe developer, and as a mother to two young boys.
In this episode, Dr. Goran and Dr. Ventura discuss how to address sugar in your child’s diet to avoid chronic illness and support their overall health and wellness. By introducing and explaining the science behind the hidden dangers in different kinds of sugars and glucose levels in food products, Dr. Goran and Dr. Ventura empower parents with the information needed to make simple and powerful changes in their families' diets. Addressing and adjusting sugar intake can vastly improve current states of health and help avoid future chronic illnesses related to sugar such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, fatty liver disease, diabetes, and more.
Where to learn more about Sugarproof Kids, Dr. Michael Goran, and Dr. Emily Ventura...
- SugarproofKids.com
- Sugarproof Book
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Janet Allison the Founder of Boys Alive! and the Co-Host of the ON BOYS Parenting Podcast. With more than 20 years of experience coaching parents, mentoring teachers, and being the featured parenting expert on both radio and TV, Janet loves empowering parents and teachers with proven tools and strategies to raise boys to be confident, caring, and capable adults.
In this episode, Janet and I discuss ways parents and teachers can address specific emotional needs for boys at home and in school. Janet shares how the difference in boys' development is often disregarded in educational systems and may result in the misdiagnosis of disorders like ADHD. By empowering parents and teachers with the tools and strategies to understand and approach boys for their specific emotional needs, Janet aides a critical need both in-home and school environments.
Where to learn more about Boys Alive! and Janet Allison ...
- boysalive.com
- ON BOYS Parenting Podcast
- 20+ Actionable Strategies During Quarantine
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
This week I have a brief and unique episode to share with you all to say Thank You! Within this episode, you will find the details to a special giveaway of my book LIFE WILL GET BETTER for the first 50 listeners who complete their entries. For detailed instructions visit:
CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY NOW!
If you have questions about this special giveaway, please reach out to my team at support@drbeurkens.com. Thank you so much for being a dedicated listener to the show! I look forward to continuing to engage with you all in the many more episodes to come on The Better Behavior Show!
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Aly Cohen, a board-certified rheumatologist, integrative medicine specialist, and environmental health expert in Princeton, New Jersey. In 2015, Dr. Cohen created TheSmartHuman.com and has collaborated with the Environmental Working Group, Cancer Shmancer, TEDx, and other organizations and programs to share environmental health, disease prevention, and wellness information with the public. She is the co-editor of the textbook, “Integrative Environmental Medicine”, part of the Oxford University Press/Weil Integrative Medicine Library. Dr. Cohen lives on a farm in New Jersey with her husband, two sons, and lots of furry friends, and has recently published a new book: Nontoxic Guide To Living Healthy In A Chemical World.
In this episode, Dr. Cohen and I discuss how parents can reduce chemical exposure in their children to support overall health and wellness. Dr. Cohen provides simple steps parents can take to begin these detoxes in their family's diet and environment at home. Chemical exposures have been linked to a variety of complications and illnesses such as irregular blood pressure and metabolism, thyroid conditions, developmental disorders, fertility, and cancer. Reducing toxin exposure in children can make significant positive changes in their behavior, mood, learning ability, physical growth, and health.
Where to learn more about The Smart Human and Dr. Aly Cohen...
- TheSmartHuman.com
- Disinfection Dangers Article
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Cami Hawkins, a healthcare professional, philanthropist, fitness enthusiast, volunteer, mom, and Chief Executive Officer of Marathon Kids. A proven leader, Cami joined Marathon Kids with more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. During this transformational period in healthcare, Cami assisted a wide range of organizations addressing issues impacting their overall performance and competitive positioning with a keen ability to solve problems and create solutions. She is a proud Texas Longhorn with a BA in economics from the University of Texas, Austin, and a Masters in Health Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio. Cami is married and has two children, former Marathon Kids, now in college.
Where to learn more about Marathon Kids and Cami Hawkins...
- MarathonKids.org
- MarathonKids.org/covid-19
- Free Resources for Parents
- We Run The World
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dennis Debbaudt, a trainer, presenter, and public speaker with over 25 years of experience in autism and law enforcement curriculum development and training for both children and adults. Dennis has created numerous trainings for law-enforcement departments and agencies throughout the country to support law enforcement officers in handling the highest risk scenarios and encounters they may have with people on the autism spectrum and related impairments. He works with police officers and first responders alike to recognize these symptoms in people they encounter in order to lower the likelihood of escalation.
In this episode, Dennis and I discuss how to prepare those with autism to safely interact with law enforcement in high-risk emergency situations. Dennis helps parents and caregivers understand how to evaluate their child or young adult's independence levels in order to craft a tailored safety plan. Children and young adults on the spectrum or those with communication, cognitive, or behavioral challenges may find themselves misunderstood by others and face uncomfortable accusations and interactions. By working with your child to prepare them for possible encounters in public settings and with law enforcement officials you empower them with tools to advocate for themselves based on their specific abilities.
Where to learn more about Dennis Debbaudt...
- Autism Risk Management Site
- Downloadable Resources
- DebbaudtLegacy.com Trainings
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Emily Fletcher, the founder of Ziva Meditation and the leading expert in meditation for extraordinary performance. The New York Times, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Vogue, and ABC News have all featured Emily’s work including her bestselling book Stress Less, Accomplish More. She’s been named one of the top 100 women in wellness to watch, has taught more than 20,000 students around the world, and has spoken on meditation for performance at Apple, Google, Harvard Business School, and Barclays Bank. Ziva Meditation graduates include Oscar, Grammy, Tony & Emmy award winners, NBA players, Navy SEALs, Fortune 500 CEOs, and busy parents. The Ziva Technique is a powerful trifecta of mindfulness, meditation, and manifesting designed to unlock your full potential.
In this episode, Emily and I discuss how valuable teaching meditation to children is as a tool for their health and wellness. Emily shares the neuroscience behind meditation and how it can effectively activate and strengthen the vagus nerve in our brains when practiced properly. This reaction creates a wealth of health benefits for both children and adults by significantly reducing stored stress and resulting in better sleep, decreased anxiety and depression, and increased productivity. To help children integrate this into their daily lives, Emily has created ZivaKIDS, an interactive online meditation training course coming soon.
Where to learn more about Ziva Meditation and Emily Fletcher ...
- ZivaMeditation.com
- Ziva Kids
- Stress Less, Accomplish More Book
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Yaara Shimshoni, an associate research scientist at Yale School of Medicine specializing in research on anxiety disorders in children and new treatment approaches involving parents. Dr. Shimshoni collaborates with Dr. Eli Lebowitz, at the Yale Child Study Center, on developing and researching the SPACE Program for improving childhood anxiety.
In this episode, Dr. Shimshoni and I discuss the SPACE program, a new treatment approach for childhood anxiety. SPACE works closely with parents by targeting and slowly eliminating family accommodations that have been made specifically to help alleviate their child’s anxiety. Research shows that parents working to eliminate these accommodations have effectively helped their children to gain independence managing their anxiety symptoms.
Where to learn more about SPACE and Dr. Yaara Shimshoni ... * + SPACE Treatment + Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD Pre-order + SPACE Providers + SPACE Resources
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Jess Sherman, a former teacher turned Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Family Health Expert specializing in nutrition for brain health and resilience for kids. For over 10 years Jess has worked alongside Naturopathic and Medical Doctors, Family Counsellors and Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, teachers, and parents to bring an understanding of the power of good nutrition, simplicity, and connection into mainstream conversation about children’s mental health, learning, and resilience. Her book, Raising Resilience, and her online resources have helped families all over the world improve the lives of their children with learning differences, anxiety, ADHD, autism and mood disorders, by helping them use food to help kids calm down, learn better, have better sleep, have better poops, enjoy more stable moods and get over their picky eating.
In this episode, Jess and I discuss how to stick with your parenting choices on nutrition with confidence and how to navigate the inevitable and difficult conversations that come with those choices. Jess relates to parent struggles and provides simple and effective conversation tips to approach spouses, caretakers, teachers, and more geared to help make the right choices and changes for your family. She shows the audience that by harnessing the power of food they can greatly improve their child’s mood, behavior, learning, sleep, skin, and overall health.
Where to learn more about Jess Sherman ...
- JessSherman.com
- Raising Resilience Book
- Raising Resilience Facebook Group
- Jess Sherman Facebook Page
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Anat Baniel, a trained clinical psychologist and founder of the Anat Baniel Method®NeuroMovement®. Anat’s work is at the forefront of the emerging brain plasticity field and the understanding of the role of movement in child development, health, and vitality. Anat has worked with athletes, musicians, and 1000s of children with special needs diagnosed with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, genetic disorders, and more. She is the author of the highly acclaimed book Kids Beyond Limits and the bestselling Move Into Life: NeuroMovement for Lifelong Vitality. Anat was trained as a clinical psychologist, dancer, and was a student and professional associate of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. She has trained over 700 practitioners and with her team of trainers she leads workshops and runs a private practice at the Anat Baniel Method Center in San Rafael, California.
In this episode, Anat and I discuss the importance of shifting parent's perspectives in understanding children’s behavioral problems as possible neuromovement disorders. By introducing her NeuroMovement® Method essentials, Anat shows parents how children with special needs such as Autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy and more can thrive both physically, emotionally, and in their cognitive performance.
Where to learn more about Anat Baniel ...
- AnatBanielMethod.com
- Books by Anat Baniel
- Youtube
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Ben Lynch, the best-selling author of Dirty Genes and a leader in the field of nutrigenomics. Dr. Lynch is president of Seeking Health, an innovative company providing supplements, courses, and tools designed to help people overcome genetic dysfunction and optimize health. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington, Dr. Lynch obtained a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University where he now serves on the Board of Trustees. Dr. Lynch lives in Seattle, WA with his wife and three sons.
In this episode, Dr. Lynch and I discuss how genes can greatly impact children’s health and development. By breaking down how genes work, Dr. Lynch gives examples of environmental, nutritional, and lifestyle factors that contribute to each unique gene's optimal function. By addressing gene function, families can tackle chronic health issues including anxiety, digestion, obesity, autoimmune disorders, and more. It is important to know that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to supporting genetic health. Dr. Lynch encourages parents to expand their knowledge of genetics before investing in genetic testing and a supplement regimen.
Where to learn more about Dr. Ben Lynch ...
- drbenlynch.com
- Dirty Genes Book
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Lois Kam Heymann, MA, CCC-SLP, a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 30 years in the field specializing in diagnosing and treating children with auditory-language deficits; auditory processing disorder, language processing disorder, hearing loss, and listening challenges. To meet the needs of parents, teachers, as well as the students Lois does trainings nationally and internationally. Lois is the founder and director of ListenLoveLearn, a private practice for evaluation and treatment of children with auditory-language issues in Chestnut Ridge, New York, and author of The Sound of Hope: Recognizing, Coping with and Treating Your Child’s Auditory Processing Disorder.
In this episode, Lois and I discuss how auditory deficits and disorders impact children’s academic and social skills both at home and in school. Lois provides parents with a clear understanding of how to recognize possible auditory deficits in their children and how to seek appropriate and effective treatment. Often an auditory processing disorder (APD) coexists with other behavioral, cognitive, or sensory issues making a proper diagnosis all the more important. Children suffering from an APD do not hear sounds in a usual way and typically struggle with reading, writing, spelling, and speech comprehension.
Where to learn more about Lois Kam Heymann ... * Listen Love Learn Website * The Sound of Hope Book * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Hyla Cass, a physician, psychiatrist, and frequently quoted expert on natural approaches to mental and physical health. Dr. Cass helps individuals withdraw from psychiatric medications and substances of abuse, or to avoid medication altogether, through the use of targeted nutritional supplements. She has created a unique, high-quality line of supplements including CBD hemp oil extract. Dr. Cass is an advisory board member of the Journal of Cannabinoid Medicine, and the author of several popular books including 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health, Supplement Your Prescription, Natural Highs, Your Amazing Itty Bitty Guide to Cannabis, and The Addicted Brain and How to Break Free.
In this episode, Dr. Cass and I discuss the integrative psychiatry approach to using nutritional supplements like CBD and the importance of a healthy gut microbiome for overall health and wellness. Dr. Cass helps parents understand that a medical diagnosis does not always have to equal prescription medication. By introducing a functional approach to discover imbalances in adults and children alike, Dr. Cass helps parents incorporate effective natural solutions to ADD, ADHD, depression, stress, anxiety, migraines, addiction, and more.
Where to learn more about Dr. Hyla Cass ...
- Hyla Cass' Website
- Hyla Cass Books
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Membership- a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Ross Greene, a clinical psychologist, and New York Times bestselling author of the influential books The Explosive Child, Lost At School and Raising Human Beings. He is the originator of the model of care called Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS). Dr. Greene served on the faculty at Harvard Medical School for over 20 years and is now founding director of the nonprofit Lives in The Balance which provides a vast array of web-based resources on the CPS model. He has appeared in a wide range of media including the Oprah Show, Good Morning America, The Morning Show, National Public Radio, Mother Jones Magazine, and many more. Dr. Greene lectures and consults widely throughout the world and lives in Portland, Maine.
In this episode, Dr. Greene and I discuss his method in proactive problem solving to address children’s behavior challenges at home and in school environments. By introducing his Collaborative and Proactive Solutions model (CPS), Dr. Greene thoroughly walks parents through the steps needed to help uncover underlying issues before an adverse behavioral reaction occurs. This model can be applied to toddlers and beyond, including nonverbal children. Dr. Greene encourages parents to work in a partnership with their child and to shatter the belief that authority, control, rewards, and punishments are the way to influence change.
Where to learn more about Dr. Ross Greene ...
- Lives in the Balance Website
- Dr. Greene’s Books
- ALSUP Worksheet
- Plan B Checklist
- Additional Resources
- Youtube
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Michelle Perro, a veteran pediatrician with nearly four decades of experience in acute and integrative medicine. Over fifteen years ago, Dr. Perro transformed her clinical practice to include pesticide and health advocacy. She has both directed and worked as an attending physician at New York’s Metropolitan Hospital to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. Currently, Dr. Perro lectures and consults for Gordon Medical Associates, an integrative health center in Northern California. She has been a sought-after speaker nationally and internationally and co-author of the highly acclaimed book, “What’s Making Our Children Sick” as well as Executive Director of the non-profit scientific-based website, gmoscience.org. In this episode, Dr. Perro and I discuss why chronic illness is abundantly increasing in children across the U.S. and what we can do now to address this nationwide affliction in families.
In this episode, Dr. Perro and I discuss why chronic illness in children is continually increasing and what we can do to address this affliction occurring in families across the U.S. Demonstrating how environmental and nutritional factors such as GMOs, water toxicity, air pollution, and electromagnetic fields have affected our children’s health, Dr. Perro raises awareness and encourages parents to become educated advocates of change for their families wellbeing.
Where to learn more about Dr. Michelle Perro ...
- GMO Science Website
- What's Making Our Children Sick Book
- Dr. Michelle Perro Website
- GMO Science Facebook
- GMO Science Twitter
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. John Medina, a developmental molecular biologist with a lifelong fascination with how the mind reacts to and organizes information. Dr. Medina is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School" -- a provocative book that takes on the way our schools and work environments are designed. Medina's book on brain development is a must-read for parents and early-childhood educators: "Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five." His latest book in the series is "Brain Rules for Aging Well: 10 Principles for Staying Vital, Happy, and Sharp." Medina is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He lives in Seattle, Washington, with his wife and two boys.
In this episode, Dr. Medina and I discuss brain-based rules and tools parents can use to raise happy and healthy children. Backed by evidence-based research, Dr. Medina creates an in-depth look at how children’s brains are affected in their home and school environments. Using his ‘12 brain rules’, Medina guides parents with knowledge and tangible practices they can use and address now in their families, such as exercise and sleep practices.
Where to learn more about Dr. John Medina ...
- Brain Rules Website
- Brain Rules Facebook
- Brain Rules Book
- Brain Rules For Baby Book
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Sylvia Farbstein, whose path as a mother led her to leap out of private banking and into a professional role of awareness building and advocating for children and families experiencing adversity. Sylvia’s 20-year-old son, Brandon, was diagnosed at the age of 2 with a rare form of dwarfism, metatropic dysplasia. Their experiences navigating a world not designed for his stature has forced her to seek out ways to innovate, adapt, advocate and embrace a mindset that has led to the discovery of incredible life lessons and an entrepreneurial career path. After severe cyberbullying by Brandon's high school peers, they both testified at the Virginia General Assembly to bring forth anti-bullying legislation. Brandon's book Ten Feet Tall shares life lessons he has learned in dealing with challenges and transforming them into opportunities. Both Sylvia and Brandon are working to elevate empathy and mindset, so that youth and adults widen the lens through which they see their own world.
In this episode, Sylvia and I discuss how adversity can be a catalyst for change and a way to discover your family's strengths. Sylvia particularly aids families with children who have special medical or developmental needs through the uncharted challenges that come with their disabilities.
Where to learn more about Sylvia Farbstein... * Ten Feet Tall Book * Farbstein Official Website * Farbstein Instagram * Brandon Farbstein Website
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Bettina Elias Siegel, a nationally recognized writer, and advocate on issues relating to children and food policy. Bettina’s reporting and opinion pieces have appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, the Houston Chronicle, and Civil Eats, as well as her own widely read blog, The Lunch Tray. She frequently appears or is quoted in national media, including Today, ABC World News Tonight, NBC Nightly News, NPR, The Doctors, the Washington Post, The New Yorker, and Parents. In 2015, Family Circle named Siegel one of the country's "20 Most Influential Moms," and she is one of the most successful petitioners in Change.org's history. A graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, Siegel lives in Houston with her husband and two children.
In this episode, Bettina and I discuss the problems and challenges that parents face with kid food in school lunchrooms, classrooms, at home, and through constant overwhelming mass media influences. Bettina presents parents the reality of ‘kid food’ as a multi-billion dollar targeted market within the food industry that both they and their children are susceptible to. By unveiling these truths, she empowers parents with the knowledge to equip themselves and their children to be healthy eaters aware of highly processed foods and their effects on mental health, behavior, and wellbeing.
Where to learn more about Bettina Siegel...
- Kid Food Book
- The Lunch Tray Website
- Bettina Siegel Website
- The Lunch Tray Facebook Page
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Claudia M. Gold MD, a pediatrician, and writer who has practiced general and behavioral pediatrics for 25 years and currently specializes in early childhood mental health. Dr. Gold is on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts, Boston Infant-Parent Mental Health program, the Brazelton Institute, and the Berkshire Psychoanalytic Institute. Her new book The Power of Discord: Why the Ups and Downs of Relationships are the Secret to Building Intimacy, Resilience, and Trust co-authored with developmental psychologist Ed Tronick, released this month. She is also the author of The Silenced Child: From Labels, Medications, and Quick-Fix Solutions to Listening, Growth, and Lifelong Resilience and Keeping Your Child in Mind: Overcoming Defiance, Tantrums, and other Everyday Behavior Problems by Seeing the World through Your Child’s Eyes.
In this episode, Dr. Gold and I discuss how breakdowns and miscommunication can lead to relationship repair and growth in families. Dr. Gold challenges the pursuit of ‘perfect parenting’ and the ever-present ‘parent guilt’ experienced with raising children. She teaches parents to open up to the mishaps in parenting and to use them as learning opportunities to look within instead of succumbing to the feeling of failure or experiencing anxiety and depression.
Where to learn more about Dr. Claudia Gold...
- The Power of Discord Book
- Claudia Gold's Website
- Claudia’s Books
- Child In Mind Facebook Page
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Robert Whitaker, an award-winning American journalist, and author of four books, three of which tell of the history of psychiatry. In 2010, his Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness won the U.S. Investigative Reporters and Editors book award for best investigative journalism. Prior to writing books, he worked as a science reporter at the Albany Times Union newspaper in New York for a number of years. He is the founder of madinamerica.com, a website that features research news and blogs by an international group of writers interested in “rethinking psychiatry.”
In this episode, Robert and I discuss the history behind the psychiatric medication market, what parents need to know about psychiatric drugs, and how they can affect their children’s health and future. Sharing decades of investigative research, Robert reveals the systemic market behind psychiatric medication and how it has influenced research and use in both children and adults. Evidence shows that children who are medicated at an early age have shown early signs of onset dementia. Antidepressant side effects have also shown an increase in chronification, bipolar disorder, and risks of cognitive and social problems.
Where to learn more about Robert Whitaker ...
- Books by Robert Whitaker
- Mad In America
- Mad In America Classes
- International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal
- Youtube
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Mark Durand, a professor of psychology at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and author. Dr. Durand has received over $4 million in federal funding to study the nature, assessment, and treatment of behavior problems in children with disabilities. Before moving to Florida he served in a variety of leadership positions at the University at Albany, where he established the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University at Albany, SUNY. He serves on a number of editorial boards, reviews for dozens of journals, and has over 100 publications on functional communication, educational programming, and behavior therapy. Dr. Durand has authored several books on addressing behavior challenges in children, including sleep issues. Dr. Durand developed a unique treatment for severe behavior problems that is currently mandated by states across the country and is used worldwide.
In this episode, Dr. Durand and I discuss optimistic parenting strategies for parents looking for help caring for their challenging children. Dr. Durand guides the audience through research-based evidence and techniques to help parents understand how impactful their thoughts and emotions are when parenting. Using his tools, parents learn to disrupt their negative thoughts and create positive ones geared to their needs and the needs of their children.
Where to learn more about Dr. Mark Durand ...
- Optimistic Parenting Book
- Sleep Better Book
- Positive Family Intervention Guide (For Professionals)
- Full List of Dr. Durand’s Books On Amazon
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is, Dr. BJ Fogg, founder of the Behavior Design Lab at Stanford University and researcher who teaches industry innovators how human behavior really works. BJ leads a Behavior Design Boot Camp and has authored a New York Times bestseller, Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything.
In this episode, BJ and I discuss how his ‘Tiny Habits’ method can help children and adults implement small habits in order to create lasting change. The Tiny Habits method is simple and powerful having helped many make positive transformations in fitness, health, work, and family relationships. BJ guides the audience to take their very first tiny step forward in implementing new habits into their daily routine with success. Parents struggling to help their children with behavioral issues can greatly benefit from learning this method and practicing it with their families.
Where to learn more about BJ Fogg...
- Tiny Habits Book
- BJ Fogg Site
- Facebook Page
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Alex Ortner, the Chief Marketing Officer, and co-owner, along with his brother Nick and sister Jessica, of The Tapping Solution, a company on a mission to bring into the mainstream a simple, life-changing, technique known as EFT or Tapping. Alex is a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and marketing expert who has produced first-of-their-kind online programs such as The Tapping World Summit, the longest-running online summit which has been attended by over 3 million people over the last 12 years and The Tapping Solution App, which features easy to follow Tapping Meditations and has over 130,000 active monthly users and over 1.8 million meditation plays. Alex is the co-founder of The Tapping Solution Foundation, which aids trauma survivors such as genocide survivors in Rwanda, war veterans, and those effected by school shootings, such as the one in his home town of Sandy Hook, CT. He is a father of 3 and the author of the children’s book “Gorilla Thumps and Bear Hugs: A Tapping Solution Children’s Story” and speaks to teachers and students through his foundation on how to use Tapping to create balance, relieve stress and get better results in the classroom.
In this episode, Alex and I discuss how the Emotional Freedom Technique, tapping, can help parents and children relieve stress and anxiety. Tapping techniques are well-known for their ability to activate the body and rewire the brain by sending calming signals to the brain's amygdala. Tapping benefits have been seen to not only reduce stress and anxiety but also to address weight loss struggles, body confidence issues, financial and parenting stress, and PTSD. Alex walks the audience through a live tapping session and provides essential resources and tools for parents to learn more about tapping and how to incorporate it into their family's routine for the greatest results.
Where to learn more about Alex Ortner...
- The Tapping Solution
- The Tapping Solution App
- Gorilla Thumps & Bear Hugs
- The Tapping Solution Instagram
- Alex’s Instagram
- Facebook Page
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Ben Sedley, a clinical psychologist based in Wellington, New Zealand. As a Peer-Reviewed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Trainer, Ben runs ACT workshops in New Zealand and Australia. He is currently in part-time private practice working with adults and adolescents struggling with anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma, and life changes. He is the author of two books, ‘Stuff that Sucks: A Teen's Guide to Accepting to what you can't change and committing to what you can’ and the newly released, 'Stuff that's Loud: A Teen's Guide to unspiraling when OCD gets noisy' co-authored with the super brainy and amazing Dr. Lisa Coyne.
In this episode, Ben and I discuss how parents can help their teens make space for painful thoughts and emotions with A.C.T (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). Creating these safe spaces for teens is essential for parents to allow their child not only to open up to them in a no-judgment zone but to make room for building trust. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy works to help the individual accept their emotions and feelings in the present and allow a trigger of positive change versus adverse rebellious acts.
Where to learn more about Ben Sedley...
- bensedley.com
- Ben's Books
- Stuff That’s Loud Facebook Page
- Stuff That Sucks Facebook Page
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Daniel Stein, whose passion for health and fitness lead him to own and operate his private training business and to get certified through NASM, NFPT, and ACSM. Daniel holds a specialty certification as a Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer (CIFT) and as a Certified Autism Trainer, which allows him to train individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. In 2013, Daniel married his beautiful wife, Trinity. A few years later, they prayerfully started Special Strong to pursue their calling of working with the special needs population.
In this episode, Daniel and I discuss how and why parents should encourage movement and exercise for their children with special needs. Daniel presents staggering evidence of the benefits of movement and exercise for not only physical health but also for brain health. Daniel serves children with a variety of health backgrounds such as autism, Aspergers, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, obesity, depression, ADD/ADHD, those suffering severe physical injuries, and more. His training program empowers parents and professionals to take their motivation skills to the next level not only for their children and clients but also by encouraging them to engage in healthy activities for the betterment of themselves.
Where to learn more about Daniel Stein...
- specialstrong.com
- certifystrong.com
- YouTube
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Tom O’Bryan, an internationally recognized, admired and compassionate speaker focusing on food sensitivities, environmental toxins, and the development of autoimmune diseases. In November 2016, Dr. O’Bryan released Betrayal: The Autoimmune Disease Solution They’re Not Telling You, an investigation into why our immune system, designed to protect us, begins attacking our own tissue (autoimmunity). He holds teaching Faculty positions with the Institute for Functional Medicine and the National University of Health Sciences. He has trained and certified tens of thousands of practitioners around the world in advanced understanding of the impact of wheat sensitivity and the development of individual autoimmune diseases. He is the founder of theDr.com and the visionary behind The Gluten Summit – A Grain of Truth, bringing together 29 of the world’s experts on the gluten connection to diseases, disorders, and a wide range of symptoms and ages.
In this episode, Dr. O’Bryan and I discuss the chronic effects of gluten on children’s health and behavior. Dr. O’Bryan shares how and why bad glutens, such as wheat, rye, and barley can affect chronic health issues and presents thorough information on accurate food sensitivity testing routes plus easy nutritional shifts families can implement immediately. Parents looking to help their children dealing with chronic diagnoses such as ADD, ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, and schizophrenia can greatly benefit from thoroughly evaluating their child’s food sensitivities, especially to gluten.
Where to learn more about Dr. Tom O’Bryan...
- theDr.com
- Dr. O’Bryan’s Books
- The Betrayal Docu-Series
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Kim John Payne, a consultant, and trainer to over 230 U.S. independent and public schools. Formerly serving as a school counselor, adult educator, consultant, researcher, and educator for nearly 30 years, Kim regularly gives key-note addresses at international conferences for educators, parents, and therapists and runs workshops and training sessions around the world. In each role, he has been helping children, adolescents and families explore issues such as social difficulties with siblings and classmates, attention and behavioral issues at home and school emotional issues such as defiance, aggression, addiction, and low self-esteem. As a partner of the Alliance for Childhood in Washington D.C, he has consulted for educational associations around the world and has run a private family counseling practice for more than 15 years.
In this episode, Kim and I discuss the principles and impact of simplicity parenting to help lessen stress and overwhelm within families. While many of us are experiencing new lifestyles and schedules it is extremely important to maintain or find a new working rhythm to your family's day-to-day routine. Kim provides clear, effective and simple ways parents can begin to approach and implement the best daily rhythms for their unique family needs. To learn more about Kim John Payne click here.
Episode Highlights
Behavior and Brain Function
- The demands that are children face now are entirely different than what parents experienced in their childhood
-
- Behavioral and developmental issues become exacerbated when demanded too much off, our children need to slow down
4 Ways To Show Children They Are Safe
- Declutter the home
-
- Start with your space as a parent and then tackle the pantry and the living space
- Move into children's bedroom/toy room and declutter there
- This signals to a child that here in our home we have space and order, not chaos
- Keeping a daily rhythm/schedule
-
- Give children a practical schedule for them to follow
- Some of the academic expectations for parents who are working and schooling from home have created extreme overwhelm
- Limit the academic time to what is necessary for each age to avoid overwhelm
-
- Structure the day to move from head to heart activities, from cognition to creativity to action
- Giving kids the gift of boredom, with no screen time involved
-
- Out of boredom comes self-creativity and self-motivation
- They need this time to become creative and enter into deep creative play which allows them to digest the world and cleanse themselves from anxiety
- Limit screen time and media + filtering out the adult information
-
- We must be careful of what we say in front of our children and what we allow them to see
- Is this kind? Is this securing? Is it true to my values? Is it necessary to be sad right now?
-
- If you can’t answer yes to all four, it is best not to say it at all
Where to learn more about Kim John Payne...
- Simplicity Parenting Website
- Simplicity Parenting Book Store
- Simplicity Parenting Podcast
- Home Practice Guides
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Navaz Habib, the founder of Health Upgraded, a Functional Medicine and Health Optimization clinic in Toronto, Canada. By identifying the root causes of health imbalances, and addressing them naturally, his patients experience optimal health the way their bodies were meant to feel and allow them to contribute to humanity and serve more people. Dr. Habib’s book “Activate Your Vagus Nerve” is a simple and effective guide to help identify and address major missing pieces in patients dealing with chronic health concerns such as anxiety and depression.
In this episode. Dr. Habib and I discuss how activating and strengthening the vagus nerve can allow for improved mental health and behavior in both children and adults. Dr. Habib introduces the audience to the vital functions of the vagus nerve and how activating it can optimize our productivity and energy levels. Maintaining the health of the vagus nerve can improve chronic issues such as sleep apnea, emphysema, anxiety, stress, and depression. To learn more about the vagus nerve and Dr. Navaz Habib click here.
Episode Timestamps
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Dr. Navaz’s Story … 00:02:25
What Is The Vagus Nerve? … 00:08:00
Causes of Disrupting Vagus Nerve Functions … 00:14:45
Vagus Nerve + Mental Health and Behavior ... 00:20:17
Assessing Vagus Nerve Function … 00:26:24
Strategies To Optimize Vagus Nerve Function … 00:31:45
Episode Wrap Up … 00:50:00
Episode Highlights
What Is The Vagus Nerve?
- Nerves are the information transfer tunnels between the brain and the rest of the body
- The vagus nerve plays four major functions:
-
- Around 80% of the information that is presented or remains on the vagus nerves comes from our organs, upward to the brain. It tells the brain what is happening in the gut and when your body has experienced any trauma.
- About 15% of information on the vagus nerve is going from the brain to an organ, parasympathetically
- About 3% of the information on the vagus nerve goes to the muscles at the back of the throat and vocal cords
-
- Strive to keep your airways strong and open
- Sleep apnea, emphysema, COPD are issues that decrease vagus nerve function
- The great auricular nerve in the center part of the ear is a specific sensory branch of the vagus nerve
Causes of Disrupting Vagus Nerve Functions
- Excess inflammation can be harmful to the vagus nerve function
- Inflammatory foods stimulate inflammation
-
- Over time, excessive inflammation wears down the vagus nerve as it constantly acting as the “brakes” to our inflammatory system
Vagus Nerve + Mental Health and Behavior
- Approx. 94% of the serotonin in our body is produced in the gut and located in our enteric nervous system
- An imbalance in neurotransmitters working from the gut to the brain are strongly linked to anxiety and depression
-
- Those neurotransmitters are being signaled to the brain through the vagus nerve
- Often these imbalances are also seen in behavioral issues
- Addressing gut health is essential
Assessing Vagus Nerve Function
- Assess bowel transit time
-
- Drink a glass of water with a spoonful of white sesame seeds and track when you discover them in yours or your child’s stool
-
- An ideal bowel transit time would be for the seeds to begin appearing between 16-24 hours
- Assess heart rate variability
-
- Tools like Corsense Elite HRV, HeartMath, Oura ring
Strategies To Optimize and Activate Vagus Nerve Function
- Working on deep breathing work at least 3x a day
-
- Learn to breathe correctly from your belly versus your chest
- Humming
-
- Simple humming with your children at mealtime or in the morning and at bedtime will help bring you into a calm state
- Gargling
-
- Practicing gargling water or saltwater every morning and night
- This activity forces you to work the muscles at the back of the throat
-
Listening to music and sounds of nature/birds chirping
-
- Having your child lay silently and listen to music or natures sounds of birds chirping can help in calming down
-
- Great technique to use before bed
Where to learn more about Dr. Navaz Habib...
- Dr. Habib
- Health Upgraded
- 'Activate Your Vagus Nerve' Book
- Book Bonus Material!
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Jonah Berger, a Marketing Professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an internationally bestselling author, and a world‐renowned expert on change, word of mouth, social influence, consumer behavior, and how products, ideas, and behaviors catch on. He has published over 50 articles in top-tier academic journals, teaches Wharton’s highest rated online course, and popular accounts of his work often appear in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review. Over a million copies of his books, Contagious, Invisible Influence, and The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind are in print in over 35 countries around the world. Berger often keynotes major conferences and events like SXSW and Cannes Lions, advises various early-stage companies, and consults for organizations like Apple, Google, Nike, Amazon, GE, 3M, and The Gates Foundation.
In this episode, Jonah and I discuss how parents can be a positive catalyst in improving their child’s behavior versus enforcers of change experiencing constant pushback. Jonah breaks down the behavioral patterns behind the persuasion of change and helps parents interact and instill change without disrupting behavior. To learn more about Jonah Berger click here.
Episode Timestamps
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Jonah’s Story … 00:02:50
“Pushing” For Change … 00:07:20
Guided Choices … 00:10:10
Be A Catalyst … 00:09:00
Be A Role Model … 00:19:40
Episode Wrap Up … 00:24:52
Episode Highlights
Pushing For Change
- We often push others (children, spouse, colleague) when we want change to happen
- This easily results in a harder pushback from the individual whose control in the situation feels threatened
- 5 key barriers discussed in The Catalyst
- R.E.D.U.C.E.
- R= reactance, E- endowment, D= distance, U= uncertainty, CE= corroborating evidence
- R.E.D.U.C.E.
Guided Choices
- Giving a small set of options to shape and encourage people to go into a particular direction providing freedom and control but still not allowing any option to be made
- I.e. With toddlers, “Which shirt do you want to wear? This shirt or that shirt?”
- These directives empower the individual with a choice and sense of control
- This results in removal of frustration that typically comes from forced directives
Where to learn more about Jonah Berger...
- Jonah Berger's Website
- Jonah's New Book!
- Catalyst Book Resources
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Bryan Post, an adopted and former foster child, is one of America’s foremost child behavior and adoption experts and founder of the Post Institute. A renowned clinician, lecturer, and best-selling author of From Fear to Love, The Great Behavior Breakdown, Bryan has traveled throughout the world providing expert treatment and consultation to a variety of groups. An internationally recognized specialist in the treatment of emotional and behavioral disturbance, Bryan specializes in a love-based treatment approach that focuses on developing a deeper understanding of trauma, stress and fear and how they rule our lives. He counters this by offering an enlightening perspective on the all-encompassing power of love to bring us peace and healing.
In this episode, Bryan and I discuss how stress and trauma can greatly impact behavior in both children and adults. Bryan explains to parents how behaviors arise from a state of stress and provides them with effective tools and techniques to approach their children when acting out. By breaking down the science behind breathing techniques and guiding adults through known and unknown past traumas, Bryan helps parents better facilitate and react to their children’s behavior with a love-based approach.
Where to learn more about Bryan Post...
- The Post Institute
- From Fear To Love Book
Episode Highlights
The Role of Stress In Behavior
- Bryan uses his “Stress Model” to explain:
-
- All behavior arises, whether good or bad, from a physiological cellular and neurobiological experience of stress
- When we become stressed we constrict into survival state which can lead to the pathway of fear
How Trauma Can Impact Behavior
- Trauma stems from a stressful event/experience
- Often adults have yet to realize, recognize or address their trauma
-
- This can sometimes lead to parents becoming reactive to certain children’s behaviors
Trauma Related to Adoption
- It is important to remember the in utero experience has a great impact on us
- Adopted children, even if they were adopted as infants have already been significantly defined by their in utero experience and may have already experienced trauma in this way
Where To Start
- Learn the power of breathing, simple but not easy
-
- In the midst of your child’s behavior before you react and say anything to your child, you must learn how to breathe in the midst of stress
- It will immediately help lower your cortisol and allow you to interrupt your stress physiology
- Remember when your child is misbehaving they are already in a state of stress, if you approach them in the same state you will have confused and distorted thinking
- See and recognize your child’s behavior as coming from a place of stress
-
- They are stressed out, they are coming from a place of sensitivity and fear
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Eliza Kingsford, a licensed psychotherapist who helps clients and families struggling with food addiction, body image, and emotional eating. Eliza is the author of the best-selling book Brain-Powered Weight Loss and her work has been featured on Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, NBC Health, CNN Health, Health Magazine, MindBodyGreen and many more. Eliza has run two different companies focused on finding solutions for adolescents struggling with overweight and obesity, and she has trained hundreds of clinicians to work with food and body image issues. She is turning the diet industry on its head by combining the science of nutrition with the psychology of eating to create lasting results for her clients.
Episode Highlights
How Do I Handle This?
- We often start with treating the symptom and default our focus on “losing the weight”. Working to treat the cause by looking at behaviors and choices around foods that led to weight gain is much more effective
- This also removes the desire of constantly measuring your success to the number on the scale
- Tips:
-
- Do not separate siblings foods, instead work together as a family unit to eat healthier and make better decisions for to support your families health overall
- Do not emphasize that a specific child must eat a certain way or isolate them as having a problem
- “Just because you can doesn't mean you should”
-
- Just because certain kinds of processed foods does not affect your other children's weight does not give good reason to still have these kinds of foods in your household
- Set your household in a way to support your whole family’s health and agree upon family values as a whole
The Weight Conversation
- Parents inadvertently choose words that sometimes set up a good/bad dichotomy with food
- Taking out the language like “you can have” or “you can’t have” - “No, you cannot have seconds.” “You need to stop eating.”
“Do you really need that cookie?” -
- Try “What does your body say? Does your body tell you you’re full? Does your body tell you you’re hungry?”
- Work on the behavior around food in your entire family system
Where to learn more about Eliza Kingsford...
- ElizaKingsford.com
- Brain-Powered Weight Loss Book
- Instagram: @elizakingsford
- Research
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Josh Ochs, the founder and digital citizenship author of smartsocial.com. With a background in marketing at Disney and a love for all things technology, Josh Ochs combines both to help teens and tweens use social media as a portfolio of positive accomplishments. Josh travels the nation speaking to over 30,000 kids each year sharing with them tips they can use to create a positive online presence. Josh’s book: “Light, Bright and Polite for Teens” teaches kids of all ages that everything they post on social media will eventually be discovered by their parents, teachers, their school Principal and someday colleges and employers. He shows families and teenagers practical examples they can use to always keep it “Light, Bright and Polite” by posting photos of community volunteer projects that will help them shine online. Josh Ochs' other 5 books teach people and brands how to shine online.
In this episode, Josh and I discuss the importance of teaching kids and teens how to maintain a positive online presence. Josh shares with the audience his top tips on encouraging children to use social media for the better by instilling in them the knowledge of what their digital footprint looks online and how they can utilize it for future college and employment opportunities. Parents can help keep their children safe by opening up a dialogue about online profiles, tech use and implementing guidelines on technology in the household. To learn more about Josh Ochs click here.
Episode Timeline
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
Be Aware of Your Digital Footprint … 00:08:27
Setting Limits On Tech Use … 00:20:39
Tech Guidance Tips … 00:28:00
Why Flip Phones Are A Good Starting Point … 00:33:40
What Age To Begin Social Media … 00:35:00
Episode Wrap Up … 00:41:00
Episode Highlights
Setting Limits On Tech Use
- Actively engage in dialogue with your children about their tech use
- Actively engage in dialogue with parents in your child’s community of friends i.e. whose house they frequent etc.
- Use the apps your children use
-
- Being in the know will open your eyes to the true awareness you need to have and help you create that communication with your children on the right topics
Tech Guidance Tips
- When should my child have a cell phone?
-
- Smart Social suggests the following
-
- 0-10: no phone, sometimes allowed to use yours to watch videos or use learning apps in your presence
- 10-13: time for a flip phone for emergency use, text and sms only
- 13: cell phone safety contract
- 14: smartphone without social apps
- 15: smartphone with social apps allowed but limited and monitored
Where to learn more about Josh Ochs...
- Smart Social Site
- App Guide
- Books by Josh Ochs
- Instagram: @joshochs
- Twitter: @JoshOchs
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Raja Sivamani, a board-certified dermatologist who practices as an integrated dermatologist at Pacific Skin Institute. Dr. Sivamani holds the roles of Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the University of California Davis and Director of Clinical Research in the Clinical Trials Unit. He's also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the California State University, Sacramento, and an Associate Professor of Dermatology at California North State University, College of Medicine. He engages in clinical practice, as well as, both clinical and translational research that integrates bio-engineering, nutrition, cosmetics, and skin biology. With training in both allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, Dr. Sivamani takes an integrative approach to his patients and in his research. He's published over 100-peer reviewed research manuscripts, 10 textbook chapters, and a textbook entitled Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics, Third Edition with a passion for expanding the evidence and boundaries of integrative medicine for skincare.
In this episode, Dr. Sivamani and I discuss ways parents can address finding the root cause of chronic skin issues in their children and teens. Dr. Sivamani explains how nutrition, lifestyle habits, environmental factors, and product use can affect the skin’s microbiome and what types of ingredients and irritants to avoid. Children and teens suffering from severe and chronic skin conditions like eczema and acne may struggle psychologically with issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Dr. Sivamani shows how a healthy balanced lifestyle can ease these symptoms while treating skin outbreaks and recurring issues. To learn more about Dr. Raja Sivamani click here.
Episode Highlights
Psychological Impact With Skin Issues
- Depression, anxiety, social isolation
- Sometimes children hold back and hide these feelings
-
- Engaging children in the conversation is essential to the treatment process
Health and Environment in Relation To Skin Issues
- Eczema for example
- The more soap you use the more natural oils you strip from the skin that are needed as they are typically deficient in those with eczema
-
- Testing foods to eliminate one at a time to see what causes flare-ups
- Bathing habits count
- Nutritional choices matter
-
- Avoiding high refined sugars, sodas, sweetened teas, low dairy, processed junk foods
-
Steroids and antibiotics
- In this way, these treatments are not used as a lifetime bandaid issue to the problem, rather an aid to alleviate symptoms more quickly to begin a less painful integrative treatment
-
- Often resistance is not discussed broadly in order to manage and use these treatments
Lifestyle Relations to Chronic Skin Conditions
- Mind-body connections
-
- High levels of stress impact cortisol levels in the body and stimulate a higher inflammatory response
- It can affect our mood, anxiety, sleep
Skin Microbiome
- Every hair follicle is full of microbes
- We have oxygen-rich environments on the skin
-
- Within the hair follicle, the environment is oxygen-poor known as an anaerobic environment
- Different bacteria, yeast, and supernatural mites live on symbiotically on the skin
- We have natural bacteria that are good that we want to remain in balance
What to Avoid
- Dermveda - free site investing ingredients and the best routines for your skin profile and ideal ingredients to use and to avoid
- Eczema tends to present super dry symptoms and it is important to keep your skin or your child's skin hydrated
-
- Apply moisturizers within 3 minutes of bathing to lock in the moisture
- Lean towards occlusive, humectant products versus those full of emulsifiers
- Avoiding fragrances and sometimes even essential oil-based fragrance
Where to learn more about Dr. Raja Sivamani...
- Dermveda
- Jiva Factory
- Pacific Skin Institute
- Pacific Skin Institute Facebook
- Instagram: @pacificskininstitute
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week Dr. Krista Burns is the founder of the American Posture Institute, author of the textbook The Posture Principles and TEDx speaker. Dr. Krista is leading the charge against Digital Dementia and has been featured on media including Fox News and Global Woman Magazine.
In this episode, Dr. Krista and I discuss the challenges of raising children within the digital age and how parents can act now to prevent tech fatigue and digital dementia in their family’s. Dr. Krista guides parents on warning signs of tech fatigue and practical ways they can instill healthy tech boundaries within the home. Children and adults with or without diagnosed developmental and behavioral disorders are experiencing negative results from device use overstimulation. Dr. Krista shares with the audience staggering research on how tech device use can actually alter our brain health and what we can do to avoid digital dementia. To learn more about Dr. Krista Burns click here.
Where to learn more about Dr. Krista Burns...
- American Posture Institute
- Facebook: American Posture Institute
- Facebook: Dr Krista Burns
- Instagram: @dr.kristaburns
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Emily Cerda, a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist with a LDN in the State of Maryland. Emily has an MS in Nutrition and Integrative Health from Maryland University of Integrative Health where she supports students in graduate-level Physiology and Pathophysiology when she is not busy with her private practice. Her passion for food and nutrition stems from her son’s diagnosis with multiple severe food allergies and her determination to see him thrive in the face of this challenge. Emily is passionate about the need for individualized nutrition and dreams of mobilizing an army of practitioners to cater to the integrative needs of this community.
In this episode, Emily and I discuss concepts and strategies to help parents navigate food allergies and food sensitivities while sharing ways they can directly impact children's behavior and development. Emily provides direction on testing and diagnosis, anaphylactic responses and provides invaluable tips on how parents can advocate for their children and empower them to make safe independent decisions with their food allergies as they transition into their teenage years and beyond. To learn more about Emily Cerda click here.
Episode Highlights
Food Reactions and Behavior Connection
- Food allergy = an immediate response in health or behavior
-
- This immediate shift can be seen in a behavioral response, anaphylactic response, or even a histamine-based response visible via a runny nose, clearing of throat, or hives on the skin
- Food intolerance or food sensitivity
-
- Can/may show up days later after ingesting something the body is sensitive or intolerant to
Testing and Diagnosis
- Start with a board-certified allergist
-
- That allergist will then usually do a skin prick or blood test
- The gold-standard is to do an oral food challenge in office with the practitioner present in case a negative reaction occurs
- Results are not always precise - they take time, elimination testing and lots of patience
Anaphylactic Response
- Allergic reaction that constricts your airways from a swollen tongue or throat
-
- Other symptoms include: weak and rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, skin reactions (hives, itching, flushed and/or pale skin)
- These reactions can be immediately life-threatening
-
- Immediate use of an epinephrine auto-injector is vital, as well as, a visit to the emergency room to ensure safety and possible preparation for a second reaction called - biphasic anaphylaxis
Supporting Your Child’s Independence with Allergies
- As your children age, advocacy and awareness must occur as they venture into independence in handling their food allergies outside of their safe places
-
- Transitions from elementary to middle school or middle school to high school when labels and bullying can arise can cause children to stray from communicating their allergy needs not wanting to stand out as “different”
- Modeling good awareness and inclusiveness on part from the adults is crucial
- Advocating for your child within school setting
-
- Section 504 plans- part of the American Disabilities Act provides an avenue for students who may have a diagnosed medical condition that requires accommodations but does not rise to the level of qualifying them as a special education student
- IEP process - for those who qualify as a student with a disability for the purpose of their schooling
Raising and Feeding Children with Food Allergies
- Simplify first
-
- Instead of looking to replace go-to meals or packaged snacks that do not have an allergy-free alternative, look to what whole foods you can start with to create easy, simple meals for the entire family
- Batch cooking more than what you will eat in one day so that there are some hearty leftovers for snacks or later meals
- Pre-cut fruits and vegetables always on hand
- Double checking your ingredients always - even in organic processed foods and foods you have consistently purchased (companies change up ingredients with zero warning!)
-
Empowering your children in the process and teaching them what to look out for so they are equipped for safety
Integrative Approach
- Looking from an integrative approach allows parents to use essentials to help them tackle their children’s food allergies
-
- Re-framing, empowerment, stress control, resilience building and the teaching of basic kitchen skills and cross-contamination rules
- The integrative approach will always look to resolve underlying inflammation and will always stay on top of gut health
Where to learn more about Emily Cerda...
- Thrive Inside Nutrition
- Thrive Inside Nutrition on Facebook
- Instagram: @thriveinside
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Marvin Singh, an Integrative Gastroenterologist in San Diego, California and a Member of the Board and Diplomate of the American Board of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Singh is trained and board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology/Hepatology. He was later trained by Andrew Weil, M.D., a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. Currently, Dr. Singh is a voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor at UCSD in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health. He is an editor of the textbook of Integrative Gastroenterology, 2nd edition and has written several book chapters and articles. Dr. Singh is dedicated to guiding his clients toward optimal wellness every step of the way, using the most cutting edge technologies to design highly personalized precision-based protocols and help them stay on top of their health, rather than underneath disease. As a result, he founded Precisione Clinic, to bring the best in preventive medicine to his clients.
In this episode, Dr. Singh and I discuss how families can improve their health and wellness collectively to help prevent future chronic illnesses in their households with a precision medicine-based approach. To learn more about Dr. Singh click here.
Where to learn more about Dr. Marvin Singh...
- Dr. Marvin Singh Website
- Precisione Clinic Website
- Twitter: @drmarvinsingh
- Instagram: @drmarvinsingh
- Instagram: @Precisioneclinic
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Kay A. Toomey, a Pediatric Psychologist who has worked with children who struggle to eat for almost 30 years. She has developed the SOS Approach to Feeding as a family-centered program for assessing and treating children with feeding problems. Dr. Toomey speaks nationally and internationally about her approach and also acts as a consultant to Gerber Products. Dr. Toomey helped form The Children’s Hospital – Denver’s Pediatric Oral Feeding Clinic, as well as, the Rose Medical Center’s Pediatric Feeding Center. She previously co-chaired the Pediatric Therapy Services Department at Rose Medical Center prior to entering private practice. Currently, Dr. Toomey is the President of Toomey & Associates, Inc., and acts as a Clinical Consultant to the Feeding Clinic at STAR Institute.
In this episode, Dr. Toomey and I discuss the challenges that parents face with picky eaters and problem feeders and how they can address and treat those issues. Dr. Toomey presents a thorough breakdown showing how and when feeding problems begin for children and sheds light on resolving these issues with proven methods through her SOS Approach to feeding. To learn more about Dr. Kay A. Toomey click here.
Where to learn more about Dr. Kay A. Toomey...
- SOS Approach To Feeding
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Jessica Drummond, the Founder, and CEO of the Integrative Women’s Health Institute who is passionate about caring for and empowering women who struggle with women’s pelvic health conditions. She is equally passionate about educating and supporting clinicians in confidently and safely using integrative tools to transform women’s and pelvic healthcare. Dr. Drummonds has two decades of experience in women’s and pelvic health as a physical therapist and functional nutritionist. Owning a private women’s health clinical nutrition and coaching practice gives her a unique perspective on the integrative, conservative options for pelvic pain management, hormone balance, pre-conception and fertility support, postpartum recovery, and chronic pain and fatigue management in active and athletic women. She regularly lectures on topics such as integrative pelvic pain management, natural fertility options, optimal hormone health, female athletes, and functional and integrative nutrition for rehabilitation, nutrition, wellness, fitness, and medical professionals.
In this episode, Dr. Drummond and I discuss the common issue of endometriosis in teen girls and help parents understand how they can address and treat this disease. Preteen, teen and young women who suffer from endometriosis most commonly show symptoms of severely painful menstrual cramps. Coping with this pain and commonly dealing with inflammatory imbalances within the gut and digestive system can result in mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders. To learn more about Dr. Jessica Drummond click here.
Episode Highlights
What is Endometriosis?
- A disease state where cells grow outside the lining of the uterus and outside of the uterus in general
- There is a genetic component to endometriosis and an inflammatory component
Diagnosis Is Surgical
- Diagnosis for endometriosis is surgical
- Sometimes it can be seen on imaging but imaging does not rule it out
- It is important to have someone well-versed in endometriosis before having a laparoscopy as endometriosis can be found in surprising places and can be missed
Symptoms
- Severe period pain that is so severe that school or work is missed
- 1 in 10 women and girls has endometriosis
- Young girls who have yet to menstruate may show symptoms through: stomach aches, digestive complaints, anxiety, and depression due to an imbalance in the gut
Functional Nutrition for Healing
- An anti-inflammatory plan that feeds a healthy gut microbiome and nourishes a healthy brain
- Lots of vegetables, 8-10 servings per day
-
- Sometimes this must be approached slowly depending on the state of the gut and intestines, i.e. whether the patient is also dealing with SIBO or dysbiosis of the small/large intestine
- Gut bacteria play a huge role due here in the gut-brain connection as it signals pain and affects anxiety and depression
- Fiber, prebiotics, healthy fats, proteins and therapeutic doses of turmeric
- Hydration is key, as well as, avoiding processed foods, sugar, trans fats
Where to learn more about Dr. Jessica Drummond...
- The Integrative Women's Health Institute
- Dr. Drummond’s Book: Outsmart Endometriosis
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Stephanie Belseth, a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years of experience in inpatient and outpatient primary care, pulmonology, asthma, early childhood screening, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Stephanie has a special interest in holistic wellness care, Gastrointestinal disorders, Autism, ADHD, Asthma, mental health disorders, PANS/PANDAS, Autoimmune disease, Pediatric Lyme and conditions that mimic it, and other complex chronic pediatric conditions.
In this episode, Stephanie and I discuss the various infections that we see in children who are struggling with neurodevelopmental issues. We also highlight some of the environmental dangers (right in your own home) like EMF radiation and mold, that could be exacerbating these issues. Finally, Stephanie walks us through some examples of treatment protocols for these issues that are very encouraging for parents and children. To learn more about Stephanie Belseth click here.
Episode Highlights Infectious issues related to neurodevelopmental challenges * Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella, Babesia * Problems with mycoplasma, strep, viruses * Many different kinds of conditions underlying parasitic or fungal overgrowth, bacterial dysbiosis in the gut and the microbiome
PANDAS and co-infections * Often times kids that come in diagnosed with PANDAS, actually have many other infections
Blood-brain Barrier * Kids have leaky blood-brain barriers + Their blood-brain barriers are more permeable than they should be, either due to concussions, due to infection, microbiome problems, the gut-brain connection + If the gut has increased permeability then the brain will have increased permeability
Treatments that can help * Often times kids aren’t sleeping well, so improving sleep is a good place to start with treatment + Melatonin, valerian root, and lemon balm can sometimes help * Herbs, vitamins, CBD for lowering brain and gut inflammation * Deep breathing skills, hopping skills, QNRT or Brainspotting or other kinds of techniques, EMDR * Introducing more healthy fats into the diet and eating mostly anti-inflammatory foods can help
Environmental dangers for kids * EMF (electromagnetic fields) radiation from wifi and wifi enabled devices * Too much screen time + Overexposure to screens and devices can cause hyperactivity, irritability, and other neurological issues in kids * There are physiological effects of EMF radiation, especially in kids that are extra sensitive, therefore, screen time and proximity to wifi should be limited
Mold Exposure * Mold can be a significant stressor on the immune system * One out of two homes has some type of mold * Test your home environment if you feel like you have tried everything for your child and they are still struggling to improve their neurological symptoms
Where to learn more about Stephanie Belseth...
- New Bridge Wellness
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Tamar Chansky, a licensed psychologist and founder of the Children's and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety in Plymouth Meeting, PA. She is the author of numerous books on the treatment of anxiety, including the popular Freeing Yourself from Anxiety Series: Freeing Your Child From Anxiety, Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking, and Freeing Your Child From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Dr. Chansky is the creator of the educational website: worrywisekids.org. Her most recent book, Freeing Yourself from Anxiety: 4 Simple Steps to Overcome Worry and Create the Life You Want is for anyone suffering from everyday worry, an anxiety disorder or depression.
In this episode, Dr. Chansky and I discuss how parents can distinguish symptoms, understand and address their children who may be or who are suffering from OCD. Children suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder vary in symptoms from outward obsessive actionable displays to internal incessant thoughts. OCD is often mistaken for anxiety-related symptoms. OCD treatment is possible and highly effective. To learn more about OCD treatments and Dr. Chansky click here.
Episode Highlights What is OCD? * There are two components * Intrusive thoughts that you don’t want to be there + The brain isn’t sending the signal that something is finished * Compulsions – what a person does to try to quell that thought or get rid of that thought
Treating OCD * Depersonalize the content and separate from the content to feel more empowered that this is not something you need to think about * Exposure and ritual prevention is the treatment of choice and very highly effective * Relabel what’s going on, give a name to this process
How long does it take to treat? * Some progress can be made within the first month * On average, treatment can last 4-6 months
Why reassuring kids with OCD doesn’t work * That attempt to soothe actually can add fuel to the fire by teaching a kid or teaching their brain that these are serious thoughts that they need to pay attention to instead of teaching the kid that these are not serious thoughts
Why do kids develop OCD? * There is a genetic component * To put it simply, the brain is in overdrive
PANS or PANDAS and OCD * 1/3 of kids with OCD tend to have PANS or PANDAS * If you see a very obvious and sudden onset of OCD symptoms, testing for PANS and PANDAS is a good first step
Where can people learn more? * Tamarchansky.com * Worrywisekids.org * Facebook: @TamarChansky
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Sarah Ward, who holds over 25 years of experience in diagnostic evaluations and treatment of executive dysfunction. She holds a faculty appointment at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions and is an internationally recognized expert on executive function. She presents seminars and workshops on the programs and strategies she has developed with her Co-Director, Kristen Jacobsen. Their 360 Thinking Executive Function Program received the Innovative Promising Practices Award from the National Organization CHADD. Sarah has presented to and consulted with over 1200 public and private schools in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
In this episode, Sarah and I discuss the importance of independent executive function skills and how parents can better approach teaching them to their children. Key concepts like planning and prioritizing, self-control, focussing, emotional control, organization and following directions have all become more difficult for those struggling with executive functions skills especially children with behavioral disorders such as ADD and ADHD. Sarah helps parents and children who struggle with executive functions by providing practical and impactful lessons to help improve their skills. To learn more about Sarah and 360 Thinking click here.
Episode Highlights
Executive Function Skills * Organization, time management, decision-making, memory * The ability to pre-imagine the future is a developmental skill and is at the core of what executive function is * Our digital age has greatly affected the teaching of these skills
Teaching Time Management * Using an analog clock to show that time is visible and passing through space * The curriculum in schools teaching time used to last on average around 6 months, nowadays they may last around two weeks * This skill is critical for children and adults to understand and function on their daily lives at work and in school + especially for teens before they enter university + See 360 Thinking’s resources
Where to learn more about Sarah Ward...
- EF Practice Website
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Amanda Morgan, who holds a BA in both elementary and early childhood education and an MS in family and human development. Her past experience includes teaching in public, private, and migrant school settings as well as teaching preschoolers, grade-schoolers, college students, teachers, and parents. She writes, speaks, and trains on the topic of intentional, whole child development and is the creator of the blog, Not Just Cute. In her free time, she can usually be found exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband and four boys or procuring copious amounts of chocolate.
In this episode, Amanda and I discuss what developmentally appropriate practices are and how they are essential for our children’s individual learning and development process. Often children are faced with expectations in the classroom that are far from where they stand developmentally resulting in behavioral issues and developmental delays. These issues occur starting in pre-school and often carry into high school levels. Learn more as Amanda helps navigate and explain the why’s of our school system expectations and how parents and teachers can advocate for their children and students. To learn more about Amanda click here.
Episode Highlights Developmentally Appropriate Practice * Taking what we know about how children grow and learn and ensuring those principals and understandings are being applied within the home and school environments * Respecting childhood in and of itself and for each individual learner
Results of Shift in School Expectations * Behavior issues become an immediate problem when school expectations do not “match” where they are developmentally + This simply relates to the fact that these children are not the actual age they are expecting to be at + Expecting a 3-yr to act like a 6-yr old only ends in frustration for both involved * Inappropriate academic expectations usually take the place of play and social skills and interactions + Academic struggle results from this as children miss the hands-on play experiences before jumping to performance-based tasks like worksheets etc.
How Did We End Up Here? * When we start to work from fear, competition, and comparison we realize how we are poorly focused only on performance and testing
What Can We Do To Address This? * As parents: where can we slow down in our home and offer outlets for more movement or sensory interactions? Looking to address whatever it is they need more or less of + Do not understand your voice as a parent for your child and their peers to administration, never stop advocating * As teachers: Use your knowledge on developmentally-appropriate practices and get creative with the “homework” that is required instead of the routine textbook worksheets + Amanda’s example: former 2nd-grade teacher of her son gave assignments on a point system of completion with activities to do while at home such as; help your family make dinner, take care of your animal, play outside, help a neighbor
Where to learn more about Amanda Morgan… * Not Just Cute Blog * Why We Play * Twitter * Facebook * Youtube
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum, a world-renowned microbiome researcher who named the mycobiome and founder of the leading antifungal clinical testing company, Next Trillion Sciences. Dr. Ghannoum lectures extensively across the world on the microbiome from the Pasteur Institute in France to the National Institute of Health (NIH). His work has been published in over 450 peer-reviewed papers and cited over 21,000 times. Dr. Ghannoum has been actively funded by the NIH continuously since 1991 for his work studying the fungal and bacterial communities in our body and has been involved in the development of 95% of the antifungals that have come to market since the 1990s.
In this episode, Dr. Ghannoum and I discuss the importance of understanding and balancing good bacteria and fungi for your child’s gut microbiome. Assessing gut health in children plays an important role in their overall health, especially for children with behavioral disorders such as ADD, ADHD, and autism. Imbalances in the gut like candida overgrowth can surface in a variety of symptoms such as irritability, hyperactivity, stomach aches, diarrhea, pain, and fatigue. To learn more about balancing your family’s gut health and Dr. Ghannoum and his latest book, Total Gut Balance, click here.
Episode Highlights
The Good vs. Bad in the Mycobiome
- Low levels or abundance of candida can help us break down complex molecules and nutrients that we eat like complex carbohydrates
-
- Saccharomyces Boulardii or baker’s yeast is good yeast in our body that can keep candida under control
- The candida levels are high and create an overgrowth
Disruptors of Our Fungal Community
- Over the counter products such as non-steroidal analgesic or painkillers and antacids
- Excessive stress levels
- Lack of a balanced diet and exercise
Destressors For Kids and Adults
- Spending time outdoors
-
- Playing in the yard and being exposed to dirt helps diversify the microbiome
- Taking walks or hikes together as a family
- Engaging in less screen time activity and more physical outdoor activity
Signs of an Imbalanced Gut
- Listen to your body
-
- Take note of signs of fatigue, pain, diarrhea, stomach issues, etc.
- If possible, you can have your stool tested to analyze your gut health
- See Dr. Ghannoum’s guide in his new book, Total Gut Balance
Where to learn more about Dr. Ghannoum...
- Dr. Microbiome Website
- Dr. Ghannoum’s Publications
- Total Gut Balance Book
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Ari Whitten a best-selling author and the creator of the Energy Blueprint system. He is an energy and fatigue specialist who focuses on taking an evidence-based approach to energy enhancement. He's also the host of the extremely popular Energy Blueprint Podcast, which brings together leading experts on the subject of fatigue and energy enhancement to talk about their approach to health optimization. For the last 5 years, he's been working with the world's top fatigue experts to develop the most comprehensive program in the world on the science of overcoming fatigue and increasing energy -- The Energy Blueprint. To learn more about Ari Whitten click here.
My guest this week is Julie Pate, a Certified Yoga Therapist who has been teaching yoga to children and adults since 1999. As the Event and Sales Manager of YogaKids International, Jule is currently pursuing a Masters in Counseling at National Louis University and plans to pursue a career merging traditional counseling with the healing tools of yoga.
In this episode, Julie and I discuss the powerful benefits of yoga for children’s health and behavior. To learn more about YogaKids click here.
Where to learn more about Julie Pate and Yoga Kids...
My guest this week is Summer Bock, a trained herbalist certified in integrative nutrition through Columbia University. A raver in her early twenties, devastating allergies emerged that left her exhausted, hive-ridden, and only able to consume 30 foods without a reaction - an outlook that stumped the medical community. Leveraging her background in microbiology and fascination with gut health, Summer healed herself through research and formulation of various digestive bitters, which she now produces for her Guts & Glory Apothecary online. Summer Bock coined the phrase “Gut Rebuilding”, which is now cornerstone terminology in the integrative health conversation. She is the founder of the Fermentationist Certification Program.
In this episode, Summer and I discuss how parents can incorporate and use fermented foods to support their child's mental, physical and gut health.
Where to learn more about Summer Bock...
- Guts & Glory
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Mara Fleishman who turned her passion for healthy and sustainable food into a career by taking a position leading the marketing efforts for Whole Foods Market on the East Coast and in Europe. For nearly six years, she worked to raise awareness of the importance of eating fresh, healthy food. After a move to Boulder, Colorado, Fleishman decided to join her kindergartener for lunch at school one day. Shocked by the highly processed, high-sugar lunch that she and her daughter were served, she began her crusade to reform school food.
In 2013, Fleishman left her position as Global Director of Partnerships with Whole Foods Market to work on school food reform in a full-time capacity as CEO of the Chef Ann Foundation. With three kids ranging from ages eight to eighteen, Mara brings a parent’s awareness to her work and writes about school food through that lens. Her current and archived blog posts are available on The Lunch Line.
In this episode, Mara and I discuss the reality of school food programs across the United States and how parents can advocate for healthier options within their children's school district.
Where to learn more about Mara Fleishman...
- Chef Ann Foundation
- The Lunch Box Program
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Kendra Becker, a board-certified integrated physician who specializes in MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), fertility and treatment of “the 4As” (asthma, autism, allergies, atopy/eczema). Dr. Becker is adjunct Faculty at 2 prominent universities, where she teaches to physicians, medical students, precepts students, doctors and nurse practitioners. She lectures nationwide on topics such as autism, the immune system, MTHFR and genetic mutations that have health implications. Dr. Becker is the author of “A Delicious Way to Heal the Gut”, “All you CAN Eat” and was chosen as one of Connecticut’s “Top Naturopathic Doctors” and 10 Best APRNs.
In this episode, Dr. Becker and I discuss how nutrition and diet impact sensory processing issues in children. Dr. Becker shares with the audience the top food and environmental aggressors for sensory processing systems and what actions parents can take to help their children. Children who suffer from sensory integration problems can experience sound, touch and motion sensitivities, as well as, physical symptoms such as poor gait, balance, gut and respiratory issues. Children who suffer from sensory integration issues that experience the above symptoms may greatly benefit from nutritional and environmental interventions. To learn more about Dr. Becker click here.
Where to learn more about Dr. Kendra Becker...
- DrKendraBecker.com
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Mona Delahooke, a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 30 years of experience caring for children and their families. Dr. Delahooke is a senior faculty member of the Profectum Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting families of neurodiverse children, adolescents, and adults. She holds the highest level of endorsement in the field of infant and toddler mental health in California, as a Reflective Practice Mentor (RPM). She is a frequent speaker, trainer, and consultant to parents, organizations, schools, and public agencies.
Dr. Delahooke has dedicated her career to promoting compassionate, relationship-based neurodevelopmental interventions for children with developmental, behavioral, emotional, and learning differences. She is the author of Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges.
In this episode, Dr. Delahooke and I break down the brain science behind children's mood and behavior. Often we approach our child's actions as intentional or deliberate when they are misbehaving or reacting to a situation when many times there are underlying reasons that explain the action that they are unable to communicate. Dr. Delahooke helps us understand these emotions by explaining the brain science behind children's actions with concepts like ‘neuroception’ allowing us to better approach and help our children with love and support.
Where to learn more about Dr. Mona Delahooke...
- Monadelahooke.com
- Dr. Delahooke’s Books
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Joe Tatta, a pioneering expert in lifestyle interventions for treating persistent pain. Dr. Tatta has 25 years of experience in physical therapy, integrative models of pain care, leadership and private practice innovation. He holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, is a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist and has trained extensively in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr. Tatta is the Founder of the Integrative Pain Science Institute, a company dedicated to reinventing pain care through education, research, and professional training. Dr. Tatta is the author of the bestselling book, ‘Heal Your Pain Now‘, and host of ‘The Healing Pain Podcast‘ which features interviews and free training from respected pain experts.
In this episode, Dr. Tatta and I discuss how parents can understand and properly address chronic pain in their children and family. Dr. Tatta shares common pain symptoms children experience, such as, tension or migraine headaches, gastrointestinal or gut abdominal pain, lower back pain, and chronic regional pain syndrome. He sheds light on surprising research links to increased pain persistency in children and provides parents with resources and tips on how to normalize their child’s life again when dealing with chronic pain issues.
Where to learn more about Dr. Joe Tatta...
- Integrative Pain Science Institute
- drjoetatta.com
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Brooke Alpert, a certified holistic cannabis practitioner, a nationally recognized nutrition expert, and a best-selling author. She is the founder of B Nutritious, a private nutrition counseling and consulting practice in New York City. Brooke’s interest in cannabis, particularly in CBD came from trying to help her husband manage his debilitating autoimmune disease. Seeing what CBD could do for her husband, Brooke brought CBD into her private practice and saw many of her client's overall wellness improve. Having to navigate her husband and her clients through all the options and seeing how so many of the products out there were not adequate, lead Brooke to create her own brand of CBD products, called Daily Habit. In this episode, Brooke and I discuss the importance of quality ingredients, proper usage and benefits of CBD for children and adults. CBD's benefits are unique to each user aiding various issues such as stress, anxiety, sleep, behavioral and mood disorders. To learn more about Brooke Alpert click here. Where to learn more about Brooke Alpert...
- Daily Habit CBD
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Melissa Gallico, a former military intelligence officer, Fulbright scholar, and author. While serving as an intelligence specialist at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Melissa instructed classes for FBI analysts at Quantico and provided analytic support for national security investigations. She is the author of The Hidden Cause of Acne and host of The Gallico Show, a podcast dedicated to exposing the pollution story behind artificial water fluoridation in the United States. Melissa graduated with honors from Georgetown University and has a master’s degree from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
In this episode, Melissa and I discuss the surprising side effects that fluoride can have on our family’s health. Melissa shares with the audience how to recognize these effects and what parents can do to minimize fluoride exposure in the home. Children and adults with excessive fluoride exposure may suffer from dental fluorosis, low thyroid function, acne, and experience neurotoxic effects or worsening symptoms to an existing behavioral or mood disorder. Over 70% of public water supplies in the United States are artificially fluoridated. To learn more about Melissa Gallico click here.
Episode Highlights
Why We Should Be Concerned
- Fluoride in our drinking water is not only affecting our teeth
-
- Fluoride can have neurotoxic effects on children
- It can show up as skin problems such as acne, hives, skin rashes or even gastrointestinal problems
- Research has shown that fluoride can affect your IQ and influence ADHD hyperactivity
Ways to See Fluoride Overexposure
- When children are overexposed to fluoride while their teeth are forming they can develop dark brown stains or white spots/flecks on the tooth enamel called dental fluorosis
-
- Ask your child's dentist if they see any signs of dental fluorosis
- Test thyroid function as it is often tied to overexposure
- Mood disorders that can appear as behavior problems in children such as, irritability and agitated behavior
Sources of Fluoride
- Fluoridated water, toothpaste, products and beverages made in or with fluoridated water such as tea or boxed cereals
- Fluoride is also used as a pesticide and foods such as grapes or grape products such as juices or raisins have high fluoride levels
Ways to Minimize Exposure
- Find a source of fluoride-free water for drinking
- Replace your traditional toothpaste for a fluoride-free toothpaste
- Check your prescription drugs for fluoride and speak with your doctor about alternatives options
- Take the 30-day challenge
Where to learn more about Melissa Gallico...
- Hidden Cause of Acne Book
- Fluoride Pollution Website
- 30-Day Fluoride Free Challenge
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Elisa Song, MD is a holistic pediatrician, pediatric functional medicine expert, and mama. In her integrative pediatric practice, Whole Family Wellness, she’s helped 1000s of kids get to the root causes of their health concerns and helped their parents understand how to help their children thrive – body, mind, and spirit – by integrating conventional pediatrics with functional medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils.
Dr. Song has lectured around the world on integrative pediatrics topics for multiple podcasts and summits, Fx Medicine Australia, Bioceuticals Australia, Integrative Medicine for Mental Health, The Center for Education and Development of Clinical Homeopathy, Academy for Pain Research, Center for Advanced Acupuncture Pediatrics, Institute for Functional Medicine, and Holistic Pediatric Association. Dr. Song created Healthy Kids Happy Kids as an online holistic pediatric resource to help practitioners and parents bridge the gap between conventional and integrative pediatrics with an evidence-based, pediatrician-backed approach.
In this episode, Dr. Song and I discuss how parents can recognize, assess and act on the common symptoms of the growing illness PANS/PANDAS. Dr. Song defines PANS/PANDAS and shares the common realities that families dealing with this illness face. She breaks down her 6-step treatment approach for the audience and provides incredible insight, tips, and resources for families. Children suffering from PANS/PANDAS experience brain inflammation commonly referred to as “brain fire” and resulting in neuropsychiatric symptoms. To learn more about Dr. Elisa Song click here.
Episode Highlights
What is PANS/PANDAS?
- PANS, Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
-
- An umbrella term for a set of conditions that causes an acute-onset of tics, OCD, behavioral issues, and cognitive processing problems
- There are infectious triggers for PANS and non-infectious triggers for PANS
-
- When the infectious trigger is strep we call it PANDAS
- There are various infections that implicate PANS, such as influenza, herpes 1, 2, and 6 (roseola virus), HFM virus, Epstein-barr (mono virus), and Lyme disease and its co-infections
- Non-infectious triggers such as environmental toxins, molds, heavy metals, and even metabolic disorders
-
The underlying commonality between all of these is ‘autoimmune encephalitis’
-
- itis - means inflammation
- Encephalitis - means brain inflammation
Common Symptoms
- Anxiety, ticks, food restrictions or phobias around food, urinary frequency and urge with little urine production, motor problems (handwriting declining) and processing problems
Assessing PANS/PANDAS
- It is important to note that PANS/PANDAS is a clinical diagnosis
- However, there are clues to help assess and determine this diagnosis
-
- Testing their reaction and results to anti-inflammatory medication
- Using the anti-DNase B strep antibody marker and the Cunningham panel which looks at autoimmune antibodies
Dr. Song’s Treatment Approach
- For practitioners, refer to the PANDAS Physicians Network for consensus diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines
- First step is to use health and medical history to be the guide in finding the underlying cause in what exactly needs to be treated
- Address that “brain fire” by treating the inflammation with natural methods before turning to and relying on long-term NSAIDs or using antibiotics
-
- Omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin or turmeric, eating clean whole foods and cutting out processed foods and sugars
- Working with an integrative functional medicine practitioner to help guide you through the proper steps to identify and treat underlying imbalances such as gut dysfunction, nutritional insufficiencies, food sensitivities, leaky gut, detoxification issues, methylation and mitochondrial problems
- Work with the schools to ensure they are equipped to meet the needs of the child
- Use homeopathy tools, essentials oils, acupuncture, acupressure, and cranial osteopathy
Where to learn more about Dr. Elisa Song...
- Healthy Kids Happy Kids Website
- The Thriving Child Community
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Peter Sullivan, the founder, and CEO of Clear Light Ventures, Inc. and environmental health funder who focuses on toxins and wireless safety. Peter has spent the last 15 years successfully recovering his two sons from autism and sensory issues and recovered from his own environmental health issues. Peter’s work on detoxification and EMF (electromagnetic fields) has been featured in the book Toxin Toxout, the book The Out of Sync Child Grows Up, Mother Jones magazine, Paleo Magazine, and CNN’s Morgan Spurlock: Inside Man.
Peter serves as a board advisor to Pure Earth (pollution.org), and the International Institute for Building-Biology Ecology. He is an executive producer of the documentary “Generation Zapped”, about the health effects of wireless, and co-executive producer of the film “The Devil We Know” about Teflon pollution. He also served as an Executive Officer and pilot in the United States Navy.
In this episode, Peter and I discuss the effects that electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure can play in your family’s health and behavior. Peter shares with the audience practical and effective tips that parents can start using immediately to reduce exposure in the household. Insomnia, ear-ringing, anxiety, headaches, attention and memory problems, depression, and sperm damage have been shown as common side effects to excessive EMF exposure. To learn more about these effects and Peter Sullivan click here.
Where to learn more about Peter Sullivan...
- Clear Light Ventures
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Stephanie Seneff, a Senior Research Scientist at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. She has a BS degree from MIT in biology and a Ph.D. from MIT in electrical engineering and computer science. Her recent interests have focused on the role of toxic chemicals and micronutrient deficiencies in health and disease, with a special emphasis on the pervasive herbicide, Roundup, and the mineral, sulfur. She has authored over 30 peer-reviewed journal papers over the past few years on these topics.
In this episode, Dr. Seneff and I discuss the prevalent use of glyphosate in the United States and how it can affect our family’s health and behavior. Studies show numerous links to this toxic herbicide in relation to neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders such as autism, ADHD, and ADD. Annually, exposure to glyphosate continues to rise with the incessant use of Roundup in crops across the nation. To learn more about this epidemic, how you can protect your family and more about Dr. Stephanie Seneff, click here.
Episode Timestamps
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
What Is Glyphosate? … 00:07:45
Glyphosate Toxic Buildup In Our Food … 00:19:40
Gluten and Dairy Glyphosate Exposure… 00:22:00
Link To Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Disorders .. 00:24:13
Genetic and Environmental Susceptibility ... 00:29:40
Reducing Exposure to Glyphosate ... 00:31:30
Episode Wrap Up … 00:37:16
Episode Highlights
What Is Glyphosate?
- A non-coding synthetic amino acid that does not exist in nature
- It is a threatening toxin to the body because it causes the body to confuse it for glycine causing disruption
- It is commonly used as the main chemical ingredient to kill weeds in the herbicide Roundup
Link To Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Disorders
- Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and melatonin needed to regulate our mood, anxiety, and arousal levels are directly impacted by glyphosate exposure
Reducing Exposure to Glyphosate
- The more whole food and organic choices we can make the better
- Detoxing from glyphosate can be difficult but the following types of foods and minerals can help
-
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Fermented foods
- Bentonite clay
- Fulvic and humic acids
Where to learn more about Dr. Stephanie Seneff...
- Dr. Seneff's Site
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Suzie Carpenter, the author of On The Bright Side, a best selling memoir documenting the emotional journey of parenting a daughter with autism. After her daughter Kelly spent five years on antifungals, while also following the very restrictive Specific Carbohydrate Diet, Suzie learned a new approach to healing the gut through membrane medicine. She then began to incorporate this approach to help alleviate her own chronic health issues.
A pioneer in the grain-free and Paleo movement, Suzie has worked with hundreds of clients to strategize how to implement dietary changes with ease. While Suzie is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in the dietary aspects of managing symptoms of autism, her true passion lies with lighting the spark within. Instead of being the food police, she transformed the necessity of eating healthy into empowering her daughter to be her happiest self.
In this episode, Suzie and I discuss tips and strategies for parents managing a child with dietary restrictions. Suzie offers encouraging, practical, and functional advice that assist parents as they work with and empower their children to find the best nutritional practices for their behavioral challenges. Children on the spectrum, with ADHD, ADD, anxiety and behavioral challenges experience vast improvements to their symptoms when addressing their specific nutritional needs. To learn more about Suzie Carpenter click here.
Episode Highlights
Independence In Teenage Years
- It is important for parents to be aware of their own triggers
-
- Ex. The need to be in control and making all the decisions
- Working and communicating with your child to understand the consequences of certain food choices will empower them to make the right choices when they are alone
- Understand that mistakes made by either the parent do not have to be roadblocks
-
- Have a “post” plan in place for any situation that has gone awry so that everyone has a course of action
Journaling For Parents and Children
- Journaling serves as a wonderful example of previous situations to help inform decision making in the future
- Use your phone to take initial notes and then take the time to write them down later in a physical journal
-
- This can help emotionally process and engrave these notes into your memory
Suzie’s Most Helpful Tips
- Keeping open communication with your child is key
- Being prepared and syncing schedules helps so meals don't get off track and less backtracking occurs
- Encouraging independent choices such as choosing their snack at school or helping to pack their lunch
-
- Getting to a place where you are no longer playing the role of the food police
- Teaching and working through mindset for yourself and your child
Where to learn more about Suzie Carpenter...
- Suzie's Book
- suziecarpenter.com
- Instagram: @suziecarpenterhealth
- Twitter: @suziecarpenter
- On The Bright Side Facebook Group
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Vaughn Lauer, an educator with over thirty years of experience in the field of special education. Working as a teacher, a university instructor, and a building, district and state administrator in the field of public education, Dr. Lauer’s experience spans all levels of education from preschool to university. He has presented at the state, national and international levels and authored a book on collaborative IEP development called ‘When the School Says No: How To Get the Yes’.
In this episode, Dr. Lauer and I discuss how parents can better facilitate their Individualized Educational Program (IEP) meetings to target their child’s specific needs. Dr. Lauer breaks down his six key questions and provides parents with the resources to take these steps and effectively implement them on their own. Dr. Lauer’s programs were created to combat the common difficulties encountered in the special education system by institutions, teachers, and parents alike to ensure the common goal of understanding, assessing and tending to each child’s individual needs. To learn more about Dr. Lauer click here.
Episode Highlights
6 Key Questions to Utilize in IEP Meetings
- First, establish IEP etiquette before the meeting begins and then follow the questions in order
-
-
- What do we know?
-
- Where do we need to go?
-
- How will we get there?
-
- How do we know we're getting there?
-
- How do we know we’ve arrived?
-
- Where do we go from here?
-
- Detailed steps and tips to this process can be found in Dr. Lauer’s book
IEP Etiquette
- Rules set in place for a successful meeting
- By setting these rules and allowing everyone to have a say on what will be effective questions for the meeting at hand, collaboration naturally ensues
- This subtle collaboration is based on asking questions versus telling someone what to do
-
- A key rule to keep no matter what is to stay on topic
Where to learn more about Dr. Vaughn Lauer...
- Dr. Lauer's Book
- IEP Help Facebook
- Special Education Decoder System
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. James Adams, the director of the Autism/Asperger’s research program at Arizona State University. As the father of an adult daughter with autism, Dr. Adams’ research shifted to focus on the medical causes of autism and how to treat and prevent it. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed scientific articles, including over 40 related to autism. Dr. Adams is the president of the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix, the president of the Autism Nutrition Research Center, the co-leader of the scientific advisory committee of the Autism Research Institute and chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Neurological Health Foundation.
In this episode, Dr. Adams and I discuss the cutting edge research of fecal transplant therapy, better known in his study as, microbiota transplant therapy. Dr. Adams shares detailed results from the study showing significant and continued improvement of gastrointestinal issues in its participants, as well as, major improvements in their autism symptoms. To learn more about James Adams and the future of this study for helping those struggling with autism click here.
Episode Highlights
What Is Microbiota Transplant Therapy?
- Taking bacteria from a healthy gut and transferring to an unhealthy gut
- This therapy is targeted at helping those with severe gastrointestinal issues and autism symptoms
Study Results for Microbiota Transplant Therapy
- At the start of the study, 80% of participants were considered to have severe autism, by the end of the study roughly 15% were severe
- Participants showed an 80% reduction of gastrointestinal symptoms that they suffered from since infancy
- 2-year follow up study showed that participants maintained roughly a 60% reduction of GI symptoms and an overall average of 47% decrease in autism symptoms
Importance of Donor Health
- This type of procedure must be done under strict regulations for very healthy donor selections
- This particular study’s screening process is so rigorous that 90% of the general population is screened out
-
- The difference of this procedure is that there is one donor per recipient unlike donations such as blood, that pool from hundreds of donors to create blood products
Where to learn more about Dr. James Adams...
- Autism Research Program
- Adams Autism Research
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, celebrity weight-loss expert, and natural anti-aging specialist. Dr. Kellyann teaches patients and viewers how to become slimmer, younger faster. As one of the Resident Nutritionist and health experts for the Dr. Oz show, she appears regularly on national media, making appearances on Good Morning America, including The Doctors, and hosting her critically acclaimed PBS Special - 21 Days to a Slimmer, Younger You. She is the author of nine books, including the New York Times bestseller, and international sensation, The Bone Broth Diet.
In this episode, Dr. Kellyann and I discuss the immense health benefits of bone broth and how to incorporate it into your child’s diet with ease. Dr. Kellyann breaks down simple techniques on how to make the most nutrient-dense bone broth and explains why quality ingredients are key. Children and adults can greatly benefit from the nutrients found in bone broth to help promote healthy brain function and regulate mood and behavior. To learn more about Dr. Kellyann Petrucci click here.
Episode Highlights
What Is Bone Broth?
- Made from simmering bones in water, with or without meat for extended cooking times ranging from 8 to 24+ hours
- The extended cooking time helps pull the nutrition out of the bones
Benefits of Bone Broth
- Collagen in bone broth helps burn body fat and create lean muscle mass. It is rich in hyaluronic acid helping to beautify skin
- Contains the amino acids glycine and proline, aiding in the liver to remove toxins from the body
- Great levels of minerals that we are typically deficient in like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus
Why Should Kids Have Bone Broth?
- Minerals and amino acids support healthy brain function and mental health in children
- Magnesium deficiency is extremely common
-
- It is a calming mineral which helps emotional and behavioral regulation
Importance of Quality Ingredients
- Invest in your proteins
-
- Buying pasture-raised, grass-fed, organic products ensure that you are getting quality ingredients when making bone broth
- Remember that you will absorb the health of the animal you consume
- When quality proteins are on sale, stock up and freeze them for later use
Daily Dose of Collagen
- After age 20 we begin to lose collagen each year
- It is low in allergens, making it appropriate for many who have special food sensitivities
- Daily intake of collagen can reduce inflammation, ease joint pain, and reduce symptoms of autoimmune disease
Bone Broth for Gut Health
- Can help in the rebuilding and healing of gut health and digestive issues
- The glycine found in bone broth is anti-inflammatory, fighting chronic inflammation and protecting the gut helping it heal faster
Incorporating Bone Broth into Children's Diets
- Starting with chicken bones can be an easier starting point for children who are not yet accustomed to bone broth flavor
Where to learn more about Dr. Kellyann Petrucci...
- drkellyann.com
- Dr. Kellyann’s Books
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Tom Malterre, a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner whose fascination with nutrition started with his family doctor, Dr. John McDougall of the Forks Over Knives acclaim. Since then, he has attained two nutritional science degrees from Bastyr University, certification from the Institute for Functional Medicine, has co-authored three books, worked as a medical affairs member at Thorne Research and is now an educator for the Institute for Functional Medicine.
In this episode, Tom and I discuss how an elimination diet is an effective tool for a variety of children’s neurological and behavioral disorders. Tom provides the audience with years of professional experience, success, and insight on the best practices for the elimination diet and tips on where and how to begin. Parents looking to try the elimination diet themselves or in their family will greatly benefit from the guidance Tom and his wife Alissa have prepared in multiple free resources online and through their various publications. To learn more click here.
Episode Highlights
What Is The Elimination Diet?
- A simple and powerful process of removing potentially problematic foods from your diet until your symptoms subside
- This process is most effectively done by the use of healthy whole foods
- Learn more about Tom and Alissa’s elimination diet approach here
But My Kid Doesn’t Have Allergies
- It is important to know that there are different types of immunologic reactions for every individual
- Your child may not have allergies but they can still have reactions and intolerances
- Example: Your child has loose stools or becomes moodier after having apple juice or apple sauce. They might have a reaction that does not stimulate their immune system. They could be reacting to a fructose intolerance that is in the apples
- Example: Gluten sensitivities - 6% of the population has a non-celiac wheat sensitivity and there are no actual tests that can be run for this
-
- An IGG panel would not be able to show this result
- An elimination diet can allow these types of reactions to be discovered
Sensitivity Testing
- There are nuances to each test that can vary by lab, by company or brand
-
- Example: one companies labs may pick up soy and corn better than another
- Even when running an IGG panel it is possible to receive incomplete results
Time Between Ingestion & Symptoms
- Delayed sensitivity reactions - your body may take time to have an immune or intolerance response
- Once an antibody is released or an imbalance has occurred it can take days, weeks and sometimes even months for things to calm or return to normal in order to have a clean slate to reintroduce foods
- Cutting out any one particular food or potential aggressor must be done with dedication and time
-
- Trying to remove the item for a week most likely will not be enough time
Top Offenders to Remove
- The top 6 to remove: gluten, dairy, eggs, yeast, corn, and soy
- Ideal to remove them for about a month
- Truly eliminating them is tough when eating out and shopping
-
- Do your due diligence in researching items and whole foods that fit the criteria
- If you are able to remove all the top aggressors you will spend your time and efforts more effectively, most especially in the reintroduction phase in discovering what your body is reacting to
Reintroduction Process
- After removing for about a months time, your symptoms have cleared and calmed then you can reintroduce one food at a time every 3 days and wait to see if symptoms begin to reappear
- You then leave that offending food for a longer period, 3-6 months before addressing and adding it back in your diet
Where to learn more about Tom Malterre...
- Whole Life Nutrition Website
- Tom and Alissa’s Books
- PubMed Article
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Josh Friedman, a Licensed Psychologist, Holistic Health Counselor, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, and yoga teacher. Early in his career as a psychologist, Dr. Friedman quickly discovered something was missing from traditional mental health treatment. Curiosity and a chance meeting led him to discover nutritional psychology, which resulted in extensively furthering his studies to help patients grow and heal their psychological issues by addressing underlying biochemical and nutritional deficiencies.
For the last 15 years, he has run a private practice in Omaha, Nebraska called Integrative Psychotherapy of Omaha, combining psychotherapy with nutritional guidance, targeted supplements, yoga stress management tools and the use of specific functional medicine tests to help people identify and correct the root cause of their symptoms. In 2015, he started Alternative Mental Health Solution, a web-based functional medicine coaching business to provide these powerful solutions to a worldwide audience.
In this episode, Dr. Friedman and I discuss the world of functional medicine and how practitioners who use this approach have the tools to successfully aid patients to find and address the underlying root causes affecting their health. Dr. Friedman provides incredible insight and witness to the effects of treatment to even the most extreme cases once deemed treatment-resistant. Children and adults suffering from anxiety, depression and other mood issues can greatly benefit from functional and integrative health treatments. To learn more about Dr. Friedman click here.
Episode Highlights & Timestamps
Episode Intro … 00:00:30
The Journey to Functional Medicine … 00:03:57
Patient Success Story … 00:12:38
“Treatment-resistant” Cases … 00:17:30
Functional Medicine: The Medicine of Why … 00:26:00
Where to Find An Integrative Health Clinician … 00:34:00
- Look for someone who is going to ask questions with you to discover and treat the underlying root cause of the issue
-
- These sites have lists of practitioners you can search through:
-
Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Website
- Alternative Mental Health Website
Episode Wrap Up … 00:36:12
Where to learn more about Dr. Josh Friedman...
- Integrative Psychotherapy of Omaha
- Mood Healing
- Facebook: Integrative Depressive Solutions
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Julie Matthews a Certified Nutrition Consultant and published nutrition researcher specializing in complex neurological conditions, particularly autism spectrum disorders. She is the author of the award-winning book, Nourishing Hope for Autism, and co-author of a study proving the efficacy of nutrition and dietary intervention for autism published in the peer-reviewed journal, Nutrients.
Julie’s approach is based on the BioIndividual Nutrition® needs of each person and stems from her 17 years of work with autism. Using autism as a model for complex chronic disease, her approach and methodology have helped practitioners specializing in varied disorders aid in the improvement of the health and healing of their clients through strategic BioIndividual Nutrition and dietary intervention. Julie has a private nutrition practice in San Francisco, California, and supports families and clinicians from around the world with her nutrition learning tools and professional training courses.
In this episode, Julie and I discuss and demystify many popular special diets for children with autism and neurodevelopmental needs. Julie shares her expertise on a variety of diets such as gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, low-oxalate, paleo, & GAPS diets. Children struggling on the Autism spectrum and those with neurodevelopmental needs can greatly benefit from specialized nutritional and dietary interventions that aim to target their specific needs for optimal results. To learn more about Julie click here.
Episode Highlights
Research On Special Diets for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Needs
- Research shows that kids with Autism have more gastrointestinal issues
- Study published in Nutrients based on a multivitamin mineral formula, digestive enzymes, carnitine, epsom salt baths, and a healthy gluten-free, casein-free and soy-free diet
-
- After one year:
-
- an almost 7 point improvement in non-verbal IQ
- 4.5 times developmental age improvement
- Improvements in anxiety, depression, irritability, language and more!
- Gluten and dairy are two of the most difficult inflammatory foods for the digestive system
Soy-Free Diet & Why Any Diet Must Be “Healthy”
- Soy, is similar to gluten and casein in that it can be difficult to break down and cause inflammation
- Why a “healthy” diet is important
-
- There are countless food products that are labeled and technically free of dairy, gluten, and soy but this does not constitute them as being healthy
- Many foods contain artificial dyes and flavors which can cause hyperactivity in any child
- The more organic, the better
-
- Avoiding GMOs and pesticides (known neurotoxins)
- Any time the diet can be healthier, you are going to find a happier and healthier result!
Low-Oxalate, Paleo, & GAPS Diets
- Low- Oxalate Diets (LOD)
-
- Reduced consumption of high oxalate foods such as certain greens (ex:spinach), beans, legumes, nuts and nut flours (ex: almond flour)
- Can help reduce inflammatory symptoms
- Paleo Diet
-
- Grain-free diet which cuts beans, refined sugars, and dairy
- Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) Diet
-
- Grain-free diet which cuts refined carbs, dairy, starchy vegetables and mucilaginous fibers
- For more information on ‘Why Diet Matters’ click here.
What Is The Right Diet For My Kid?
- A step-by-step process is best
-
- Do your research
- Evaluate the symptoms
- Take your time through the process
- Jumping in to anyone diet without the right steps and you may find yourself or child with other symptoms and issues
- There is no one right answer or diagnosis for everyone
Taking The First Step
- Avoid junk food, artificial colors, preservatives, and sugars
- Start with cleaning up the diet you currently have
- Evaluate what you are feeding you and your child now and see what the differences are before you start a specific diet
Where to learn more about Julie Matthews...
- 6 Nutrition Essentials Guide
- Nourishing Hope Website
- Instagram:@juliematthewsnourishinghope
- Twitter: @nourishinghope
- Facebook: Nourishing Hope
- Publications
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Tara Hunkin, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Certified GAPS Practitioner, Restorative Wellness Practitioner, mother and founder of My Child Will Thrive and host of the ‘Autism, ADHD and SPD Summit’. Tara is passionate about helping parents because she has been in their shoes. After doctor visits left her with more questions than answers, Tara realized that it was up to her to figure out how to get her daughter the help she needed.
She went on to pursue an education in nutrition with the Nutritional Therapy Association and trained with Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD as a Certified GAPS Practitioner. She is also a student of Julie Matthews, CN with the Bioindividual Nutrition Institute and has completed the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs training, as well as, training with Dr. Mellio through IAFNR to better understand the brain and the applications of functional neurology.
In this episode, Tara and I discuss the fundamental foundations for success when parents are setting out on an integrative approach for the treatment of their child’s neurodevelopmental disorder. Children diagnosed or suspected with disorders such as autism, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other learning disabilities can greatly benefit from a guided framework of the integrative approach. To learn more about Tara and access an entire community of support click here.
Episode Highlights
The Internet & Information Overload
- The internet provides us with so much information it can be extremely overwhelming for parents searching for ways to help their struggling children
- As a parent you need to learn many different avenues but using a framework to approach them all will save you time, money, and a lot of excess stress
Framework and Tools
- By beginning an integrative approach with a framework set in place, parents are able to organize and confront treatment with more ease
- Remember: “There is no clear one solution for every child.” - Tara Hunkin
Fundamental Foundations of Healing
- It is easy to forget or disregard fundamental practices before going straight into advanced healing strategies and therapies - the two must go hand and hand to prevent as many setbacks as possible
-
- Nutrition is key
-
- Keeping the body well-nourished literally feeds every cell in our body and brain
- Maintain optimal hydration with good quality water sources
- Ensure that your child is getting enough outdoor time in the fresh air and sunlight igniting their five senses
- Address your environment, such as the possible toxins in and around your home
- Finding and implementing appropriate neuro-rehab programs
-
- Neuro rehab examples: listening, vision, occupational, and neurofeedback therapies
Multiple Protocols & Record-Keeping
- You are your child's best advocate and record-keeper
- Having records to refer to for yourself and your practitioner will save you time, money, and grief
- To help Tara has created a ‘Protocol and Therapy Worksheet’
-
- It sets out objectives to help track practice, advice from your practitioner and expectations
- These kinds of record-keeping are essential to approaching an integrative model of treatment
-
- The more thorough the history recorded the better you and your practitioner can prepare for and execute treatment plans
Working With The Right Practitioner
- Make sure the practitioner is able to explain to you the aim and goals of the treatment at hand
- You shouldn’t walk out of their office more confused than when you went in
- When you understand the possibilities and outcomes you are more equipped to push through
-
- When you have older children who are able to comprehend the goals and outcomes - they will feel more empowered to make the right decisions if they understand why of the situation
Where to learn more about Tara Hunkin...
- My Child Will Thrive Website
- Facebook Support Group
- Instagram:@mychildwillthrive
- Twitter: @mychildthrive
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. James Greenblatt, chief medical officer and vice president of medical services at Walden Behavioral Care where he provides medical management, leadership, and oversight of eating disorder and psychiatric programs in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Georgia. Dr. Greenblatt also provides eating disorder training for psychiatric residents and child fellows throughout all major universities in New England including Tufts, Dartmouth, Harvard, University of Connecticut and the University of Massachusetts.
Dr. Greenblatt has educated professionals throughout the United States and Canada on the scientific evidence for integrative medicine in mental health and is the author of six books including two books on eating disorders, “Answers to Anorexia’ and “Answers to Binge Eating Disorder”.
In this episode, Dr. Greenblatt and I discuss how important an integrative treatment approach is for kids and teens struggling with mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, rage, irritability, and bipolar. Dr. Greenblatt shares with us vital information on the types of common vitamin deficiencies that many of these patients have, as well as, what types of tests can be run to ensure they are properly evaluated. Kids and teens lacking Vitamin D, B12, magnesium, zinc, and nutritional Lithium often have a variety of mood disorder symptoms present. Learn more about Dr. Greenblatt here.
Episode Highlights
Traditional vs. Integrative Psychiatry
- In traditional medicine, for example, the diagnosis of depression is based on a list of symptoms
- In integrative medicine, questioning as to why these symptoms are occurring works to uncover the root cause of the issue versus immediately prescribing an anti-depressant
Common Causes for Mood Issues
- Elevation levels in heavy metals like lead and copper
- Deficiencies in Vitamin D, B12, and gut issues
Testing and Evaluating Lab Reports
- Testings to consider:
-
- A blood test to evaluate vitamin levels, essential fats, amino acids
- Gut bacteria assessment through urine and stool tests
- Evaluating levels of heavy metals through hair analysis
- Evaluating lab reports
-
- The ranges present that many clinicians may deem as “normal” may need further interpretation as many clinical symptoms can also be found within these ranges from an integrative approach
Helpful Nutrients for Mood Issues
- Magnesium, zinc, Vitamins D and B12
- Lithium, a natural element, is often shown as a deficiency in kids with mood disorders, particularly those with anger and irritability symptoms
Prescription Lithium vs. Nutritional Lithium
- Prescription Lithium, or lithium carbonate
-
- Lithium has been used as a medication since the 1970s
- It is commonly used and very effective for bipolar patients
- Nutritional Lithium, known as lithium citrate or lithium orotate
-
- The actual nutrient lithium, which can be purchased in vitamin form, has been shown to affect mood when given through micro-doses
Nutritional Link to Mood and Behavior
- Limiting refined sugar
- Vegan/vegetarian diets should be closely monitored to ensure they are not causing any nutrient deficiencies
Where to learn more about Dr. James Greenblatt...
- jamesgreenblattmd.com
- Dr. Greenblatt's Books
- Psychiatry Redefined
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Beth Greer, a sustainable and toxin-free living expert and award-winning journalist who eliminated a sizable tumor in her chest without drugs or surgery by detoxing her body and home. Known as the Super Natural Mom®, Beth is also the author of the bestseller “Super Natural Home” and named a Top 50 Health & Environmental Journalist to follow. Beth offers personalized in-home detox audits to identify and eliminate toxins. Her work has been endorsed by Deepak Chopra & Dr. Joseph Mercola, who recognize that toxin elimination equals better health. She offers Detox Your Home webinar courses, and 5 Day Group Detox Cleanses.
In this episode, Beth and I discuss different toxic household items and food products that can negatively impact children's behavior and overall well-being. All families can benefit from learning more about the vast amount of toxic ingredients found in their daily household, personal care, cosmetic and food products. Beth shares simple practices to help eliminate these toxins and provides resources on how to take the first steps to create your toxin-free home. Learn more about Beth here.
Episode Highlights
Household, Personal Care, Cosmetic Items
- “Scented” products can have highly allergic effects
- Be aware of ingredients in hairspray, fragrance, shampoos, cosmetics, and deodorants
-
- See Beaty Counters “Never List” on what to avoid
- Surface sprays, wipes, plug-in scented air fresheners - all of these are examples of products we easily overlook that could be causing allergic reactions in our families
Food Toxicity in Dyes, Additives & Preservatives
- Food Dyes can be found in children's medications, vitamins, and food
-
- Can lead to temper tantrums and have especially adverse effects for children with ADD, ADHD
- These types of ingredients have warning labels in other countries but do not have regulations in the United States
- Glyphosate, a weed-killer chemical found in Round-Up
-
- Can be found in non-organic food and in wheat
- Can cause brain issues and has been linked to cancer
- Preservatives
-
- Best to avoid at all costs
- Ingredients like calcium propionate, sodium propionate, sodium benzoate
-
- High levels commonly found in loaves of bread, fast food products such as buns, pizzas, and pastries
- These ingredients have been linked to behavioral disorders and chronic illness
Fish and Meat Product Warnings
- Farm-raised fish are given food that is generally full of genetically modified soy and corn, as well as, hormones, antibiotics, and food dyes
-
- These fish also lack the natural healthier ingredients you would find in wild fresh fish
- Meat products as well are affected by the same types of ingredients as farmers feed their livestock feed full of GMO’s, growth hormones, antibiotics
- Organic is always best when possible
Label-Reading
- “Organic” labels
-
- Typically when “organic” is on the label you will avoid these mass-used GMO’s, preservatives and additives
- When shopping at your local farmers market talk to your farmers and see what ways they are growing their produce and raising their livestock
- Using the word “fragrance” or “scent” on a label can mask hundreds of different unlisted chemicals in the product
-
- Avoid: propylene glycol (PG), triclosan, DEA and MEA, petroleum by-products
- If you can’t pronounce it easily you probably don’t want it in your home or on/in your body
Mold Exposure
- Address any leaks in your home to avoid mold growth in your home
- Any black mold growth should be handled immediately
Electromagnetic Field Exposure
- Remove devices from bedrooms and turn off and unplug the wifi
- Create boundaries on digital devices and the amount of time children spend on them
- Be mindful where large continuous electric power sources are placed such as refrigerators
Where to learn more about Beth Greer...
- BethGreer.com
- The Super Natural Home Book
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Sanford Newmark, a clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California and Director of Clinical Services at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Newmark also serves as the Head of the Pediatric Integrative Neurodevelopmental Program at the Osher Center, specializing in the treatment of Autism, ADHD and other developmental or chronic childhood conditions. With a long-standing interest and expertise in nutrition and its impact on childhood development and health, Dr. Newmark combines conventional medicine with nutrition, behavior management, and various complementary modalities.
He has lectured widely on both autism and ADHD and has authored 3 chapters in Integrative Medicine textbooks, as well as, writing his own book “ADHD Without Drugs, a Guide to the Natural Care of Children with ADHD”. In addition, his UCTV talk on ADHD has had over 4.6 million views.
In this episode, Dr. Newmark and I discuss the importance of a proper ADHD diagnosis, the rising cause of misdiagnosis and non-pharmaceutical alternatives for ADHD medication. Environmental toxins, prenatal exposure, and diet can affect children's brain development. Learn more about Dr. Newmark here.
Episode Highlights
Pre-Natal Exposure, Toxins, and Diet Links to ADHD
- In a study of infant cord blood, an average of 200 chemicals known to cause brain issues were present
- High pesticide levels are associated with higher levels of ADHD
-
- A study of 8-year-olds shows that those with higher than average pesticide levels had twice the amount of ADHD than those under the median
Hesitations in Prescribing ADHD Medication
- ADHD Medication does not work well for every child
-
- Medication provides short-term effects for about 70% of children
- For nearly 30% or more of children who take them, it does not work at all
- Side effects are very common
-
- Children do not feel themselves, experience trouble sleeping, personality changes, eating difficulties
- We do not really understand the long-term effects of this medicine
-
- How it may or may not alter the brain over time is unknown
Misdiagnosis of ADHD
- ADHD is very commonly misdiagnosed for a variety of reasons
-
- In children who are struggling with specific learning disabilities, in children who experienced trauma, struggle with sleep apnea, or anxiety, etc…
- The general questionnaire used to diagnose ADHD is very minimal and can easily result in pediatricians giving a misdiagnosis
Non-Pharmaceutical Alternatives
- Addressing nutrition first
-
- No food additives such as artificial coloring
- Avoiding too much sugar and artificial sweeteners
- Keeping a low intake of processed carbohydrates
- Gluten and dairy sensitivities are commonly found in children with ADHD
- Nutritional Supplements
-
- A well-sourced omega 3 fish oil supplement
- Have your child's levels check for iron, zinc and vitamin D to make sure they are getting an adequate amount in order to know what supplements to begin using
The Issue With Electronics
- The common use of electronics and smartphones at a young age have increased damaging effects on children
-
- Causing a lack of quality sleep, resulting in a decline in performance at school
- Children with ADHD can have heightened and severe negative effects to electronics
- All children and teenagers need monitoring and limits put on these devices for their well-being.
Where to learn more about Dr. Newmark...
- Dr. Newmark's Book
- Osher Center For Integrative Medicine
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Kiran Krishnan, a Research Microbiologist who has been involved in the dietary supplement and nutrition field for the past 18 years. He comes from a strict research background and established a clinical research organization where he designed and conducted dozens of human clinical trials in human nutrition. Kiran is a Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Microbiome Labs. He is on the Scientific Advisory Board and a Science Advisor for 7 other companies in the industry.
In his career, he has developed over 50 private label nutritional products. He is a frequent lecturer on the human microbiome at several health summits, medical and nutrition conferences, radio shows and has appeared in several international documentaries.
In this episode, Kiran and I talk about the important role bacteria plays in our gut microbiome, its connection to the brain and how it can directly affect children’s behavior. Children suffering from anxiety and stress, or who are on the Autism spectrum can benefit in different ways by looking into and addressing their gut health. Experiencing a disruption or imbalance in the gut microbiome does not always manifest in gastrointestinal symptoms, it is also common for children to experience behavioral alterations without any GI symptoms present. Learn more about Kiran and ways to treat and manage gut health here.
Episode Highlights
What is the gut microbiome?
- Think of the microbiome as an ecosystem made up of trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that live in your gut
The Role of Bacteria in Our Bodies
- We have over 100 trillion bacteria cells in our system that are vital to our everyday function
- About 90% of our day-to-day metabolic biochemical functions that differentiate us as humans come from those bacteria
Connecting The Microbiome and Behavior
- The bacteria in our gut microbiome have a direct connection to our brain through the vagus nerve
- The vagus nerve allows bacteria to send signals to the brain that affect how we behave
- There are organisms in the microbiome that can heighten anxiety and increase stress levels, as well as, organisms that can give you a sense of calm
How Our Microbiome Gets Disrupted
- For humans to optimally function, the healthy balance of the bacteria in the gut microbiome is essential
- A single course of antibiotics can throw this balance off entirely and result in:
- Heightened anxiety due to the growth of particular bacterial strains that cause an anxious response, and decrease the growth of strains that cause calming responses
- Examples of recovery time for your gut microbiome due to specific antibiotics
- A 10-day course of Clindamycin can take your body up to 2 years to recover
- Use of a Z-Pak can take almost a year to recover
- A single 600mg dose of Augmentin knocks your gut bacteria down by 99%
Rebalancing the Gut Microbiome
- Every single person has a unique microbiome, therefore, what works for one person might not work for another
- Diversity in the microbiome is very important
- Adding diverse probiotic strains to your routine like Just Thrive probiotics can aid in strengthening immune health within the digestive system
Where to learn more about Kiran Krishnan...
- Register at microbiomelabs.com for access to order!
- Instagram: @microbiomelabs
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
My guest this week is Dr. Joan Rosenberg, best-selling author, consultant, master clinician, and media host. Dr. Joan Rosenberg is a cutting-edge psychologist who is known as an innovative thinker, acclaimed speaker, and trainer. As a two-time TEDx speaker and member of the Association of Transformational Leaders, she has been recognized for her thought leadership and influence in personal development.
Dr. Rosenberg speaks on how to build confidence, emotional strength, resilience; achieving emotional, conversational and relationship mastery; integrating neuroscience and psychotherapy and suicide prevention. An Air Force veteran, she is a professor of graduate psychology at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, CA. Her latest book, 90 Seconds to a Life you Love: How to Master Your Difficult Feelings to Cultivate Lasting Confidence, Resilience and Authenticity, has just released at the beginning of this year.
In this episode, Dr. Rosenberg and I discuss the “top 8 unpleasant feelings” that parents encounter. She provides parents with practical strategies that teach enhanced emotional self-insight and lead to better parent-child relationships. Using these strategies empowers parents to manage their feelings, control their reactions and become better emotional role models for their children. Learn more about Dr. Joan Rosenberg here.
The Top 8 Unpleasant Feelings
- Sadness, shame, helplessness, anger, vulnerability, embarrassment, disappointment, and frustration.
-
- These 8 feelings are common and universal to everyone's experiences
- With these strategies, parents can be healthy role models of these feelings for their children
- Both pleasant and unpleasant feelings are important for children to understand and develop versus feeling restricted or withdrawn from certain feelings
What is Frustration Tolerance?
- The ability to experience and manage the right emotion in any situation
- If a child does not learn to experience and manage their feelings, a clear carry-over effect into adulthood occurs
-
- Examples: not handling relationship breakups well, poor handling of employment settings and emotions, etc…
- It is important for parents to be able to tolerate their child's emotional discomfort as well as their own
How to Manage Feelings As Parents
- Use the formula: One choice + 8 Feelings + 90 Seconds
-
- The choice is an openness and willingness to be aware of and in touch with as much of your feelings as possible
- Detect one of the 8 feelings and be present
- Give yourself 90 seconds to understand what you are feeling through bodily sensation
-
- The rush of these feelings and bodily reactions typically last 60-90 seconds
- Notice what you are experiencing in your body, tolerate the bodily sensation and ride the wave to the other side of the 90 seconds before reacting
- I.e. the heat of cheeks flushing from embarrassment
- By staying present to the feeling and bodily sensation you will gain insight on the decision you need to make and the action you want to take
Understanding Anxiety
- When we talk about anxiety we must decipher and be aware of how and when we use the word to define a specific feeling
- Anxiety is oftentimes used to describe other feelings such as vulnerability and fear
- In this way, the word “anxiety” is misused as a cover for other unpleasant feelings that are actually occurring
Switching Up Your Language As A Parent
- Am I? Can I? Will I? Do I?
-
- All of these foster doubt
- Switch those questions and reframe them to statements: I am, I can, I will, I do
-
- All of these foster an experience of confidence
Understanding Resilience
- Know that resilience is a learnable skill that we can all practice and improve
- Think of resilience as being tied to attitude: “I’m open to change”
-
- Having an openness and willingness to face change is a key aspect
- Understand that “failure” too is a key aspect and is always a learning opportunity
-
- This way you do not get knocked over each time you face an obstacle
- Reach out of help and use your resourcefulness
-
- Acknowledge your emotional needs and limitations so you know when you need to ask for help shows your emotional strength
Where to learn more about Dr. Joan Rosenberg...
- DrJoanRosenberg.com
- Twitter: @DrJoanRosenberg
- Instagram: @drjoanrosenberg
- 90SecondsBook.com
- Dr. Joan's Free Gift
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Susan Albers, a New York Times best-selling author and clinical psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic who specializes in eating issues, weight loss, body image concerns, and mindfulness. Dr. Albers conducts mindful eating workshops across the country and internationally. She is the author of seven mindful eating books and has been a guest on the Dr. Oz TV Show, TODAY show and NPR. Her tips, books, and programs have been featured in numerous national publications such as O, the Oprah Magazine, Woman’s Day Magazine, Health Magazine, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and the Wall Street Journal. Dr. Albers is also a contributor to the Huffington Post and Psychology Today.
In this episode, Dr. Albers and I discuss the positive ways mindful eating can impact your child's health and wellbeing. Making small changes to everyday eating habits, creating access to the right foods and changing the way you speak about food in front of your children can have a positive impact. Learn more about mindful eating and Dr. Susan Albers here.
What is Mindful Eating?
- Mindful eating is not a diet, it is centered around the behavior of eating and how you eat versus what you eat
- It helps you create better eating behaviors and habits which naturally lead to a healthier lifestyle
Mindlessly Eating
- It is easy to use food not for hunger but to manage other feelings
-
- For children: boredom tends to lead them to wander to the kitchen and mindlessly eating or using food to unwind from stress
A Few Tips To Implement Mindful Eating
- Make the right foods convenient
-
- Place the foods that you want your children to be eating at their eye-level and easy to reach within the refrigerator or pantry
- Keep a bowl of healthy snacks and fruits by the door for quick on-the-go access
- Language, get rid of the word “diet” and start using the word “mindful” around eating
- Slow down your mealtimes by eating slowly and consciously
Where To Start With Your Family
- To avoid overwhelm, tackle one thing at a time
-
- Ex: If your goal is to have your family sit together at mealtime or cut back on eating in the car, focus on that first
- Once that is accomplished, naturally, better habits will start to take place
- Work on reducing the stress level as an overall family
-
- Finding ways to lower stress in your family will aid in eliminating excess mindless eating habits in the family
- End of day rituals like walks or bike rides together as a family can help create a stress outlet
Where to learn more about Dr. Susan Albers...
- Eating Mindfully
- Twitter: @DrSusanAlbers
- Instagram: @mindfuleating101
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Sonia Story, developer, and teacher of the Brain and Sensory Foundations curriculum that shares powerful movements for transforming brain, body, and sensory challenges. Sonia Story has studied with many of the world's finest experts in Neurodevelopmental Movement programs, completing training in Rhythmic Movement Training, Brain Gym, Neuro-Sensory-Motor & Reflex Integration, and more. She teaches live and online courses for parents, OTs, PTs, SLPs, VTs, educators, counselors, health practitioners, and caregivers, and continues to learn from her clients of all ages.
In this episode, Sonia and I discuss what neurodevelopmental movements are and how they impact children and adults to significantly improve and mature brain and sensory systems. Children on the spectrum, with ADD, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory, behavioral, or developmental disorders can greatly benefit from incorporating movement practices and techniques into their daily routine. To learn more about Sonia and her life-changing Brain and Sensory Foundations curriculum visit moveplaythrive.com.
What is Neurodevelopmental Movement?
- The innate movements that infants do in the womb and in early infancy
-
- These movements are foundational for proper brain, body and sensory maturity
- They are like a ‘template’ in the brain that we naturally do as healthy human beings if there is room within the womb and the environment is not stressed
Innate Movements
- Natural infant reflex movements like sucking the thumb, or grasping when a finger is pressed into babies palm
- These movements help set up our brain networks, they mature the brainstem and help us feed ourselves, learn and are our survival and protection mechanisms
-
- When there are gaps in these movements from infancy the child can be left in a state of anxiety or flight or fight
Empowerment to Recognize Neurodevelopmental Issues
- Our culture has set us up for many of these issues to happen without our own fault
-
- We live more sedentary lives and partake in more passive activities vs. active activities where body movement is necessary
- Learning about neurodevelopmental movements is essential for all families
-
- I.e. Your child could have hit all their motor skill milestones but something simple in their infancy or birthing story could have subtle effects on their behavior
Where to learn more about Sonia Story...
- Move Play Thrive Website
- Twitter: @brainandsensory
- Instagram: @moveplaythrive
- YouTube
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Jen Hansard, whose "healthy obsession" with green smoothies has taken her into classrooms, entrepreneur workshops, and featured on ‘The Doctors’ to spread the green smoothie love far and wide. Her wildly popular website, simplegreensmoothies.com has changed the lives of over 1 million people and has become the #1 green smoothie online resource. Through the power of green smoothies, she’s seen the amazing health benefits firsthand – including more energy, which has been the catalyst to healthy living for Jen and her family. The Simple Green Smoothies' lifestyle encourages you to make one simple change: drink one green smoothie a day.
In this episode, Jen and I discuss the incredible health benefits of adding a green smoothie into your child's diet and routine. Children and adults can see lasting results such as increased energy, improved mental clarity, better bowel movements, and a stronger immune system. Learn more about Jen Hansard here.
Making Smoothies FUN for Kids
- Once your child has adapted to drinking smoothies and different flavors - get them involved in the process by taking them shopping with you at the grocery store or farmers markets
- Children of all ages can help with the most simple prep
-
- I.e. small children can pull off strawberry stems, while older children chop up fruits and vegetables
- Engage their creativity in the flavors they like and help them customize their own blends
- With time, this type of exposure naturally adjusts the palate to crave healthier foods
Smoothies help with Sustained Energy for Kids
- Helps with clearer sustained energy levels during the day
- Helps regulate their wake and sleep cycles
- Energy from healthy food helps to fuel optimal growth, development, and brain function
A Starting Guide and Tips for Parents
- If you are beginning with a basic blender first blend your leafy greens and your liquid base first until the leafy chunks are gone, then add the fruit and blend again
- You can buy a refurbished high-speed blender to save lots of money and time
- Prep your smoothie ingredients into individual freezer bags and have them ready for the entire week
-
- To help with picky eaters taste buds, be sure to remove the stems from your leafy greens as they can add a bitter flavor
- Pour any unfinished smoothies into popsicle molds and freeze for an afternoon snack
Simple 7: The 7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge
- To help create a green smoothie habit Jen provides a free 7-Day challenge that includes easy to follow instructions, a shopping list, and tips for success
- Great way to introduce green smoothies into your families routine
-
- Especially those who struggle with time-restraints and getting in their greens
- Will help increase energy, improve clarity and focus, strengthen immune system, regulate bowel movements and promote weight loss
Where to learn more about Jen Hansard…
- Simplegreensmoothies.com
- 7-Day Challenge
- Instagram: @SimpleGreenSmoothies
- Youtube
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Maya Shetreat, a neurologist, herbalist, urban farmer, and author of ‘The Dirt Cure: Healthy Food, Healthy Gut, Happy Child’ (Simon and Schuster, 2016), which has been translated into ten languages. She has been featured in the New York Times, The Telegraph, NPR, Sky News, The Dr. Oz Show and more. Dr. Maya is the founder of the Terrain Institute, where she teaches Terrain Medicine™, earth-based programs for transformational healing. She works and studies with indigenous communities and healers in Ecuador, and is a lifelong student of ethnobotany, plant healing, and the sacred.
In this episode, Dr. Maya and I discuss the importance of children spending time in nature and how that exposes them to a diversity of essential germs needed in order to build a stronger immune system and a healthier gut and brain. All children can greatly benefit from time outdoors including those with simple to severe learning and behavioral disorders such as autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and nonverbal or degenerative issues. Learn more about Dr. Maya Shetreat here.
Why Getting Dirty Is Important
- Immune systems are ‘social’ and want to meet compounds, foods, and organisms and have contact with them
-
- This allows the immune system to go into alert mode when something problematic comes along
- A restricted immune system can be over-reactive. Variety is the spice of health
- Gut health is the foundation for immune health and immune health is the foundation for brain health
Designed For Exposure To Dirt
- We are evolutionarily designed for our immune system to be exposed to many different germs
-
- Ex: babies learn how to crawl on their hands and knees and stick their hands and whatever they can grab in their mouth. We were designed to be exposed to dirt.
- Children who grow up in homes where bleach is routinely used have a higher risk of chronic bronchitis and seasonal respiratory infections
- Being exposed to a variety of germs helps to keep anyone organism from growing out of control and causing a problem
What is Hormesis and Why It Is Important
- Hormesis: where something would normally be toxic in large amounts can be beneficial in tiny amounts
-
- Ex: fasting - if you do it for a month you will have negative effects, if you fast for 12-24 hours it can greatly benefit you
- Small challenges like this, though slightly uncomfortable, cause our mitochondria to step up and function more optimally
- Getting into dirt, into soil, exposes us to billions of compounds and organisms that inspire every cell in our body to function effectively
-
- Soil is nature’s free probiotic
Benefits of Time in Nature
- “Shinrin-yoku” (forest-bathing) - Asian cultures encourage this time out in nature to immerse oneself in the beauty of the forest regularly
-
- Studies show that this results in better sleep, focus, organization, executive function, higher accomplishments at work and school, and feeling happier
- As well as, increased production in anti-cancer proteins
Get Your Kids Outside
- Let your children build a relationship with nature
-
- Playing outside on the grass, gardening, having a picnic
- If your child is suffering from a simple to severe developmental issue (ADHD, dyslexia, behavioral issues, non-verbal, degenerative issues, birth trauma) they can benefit from being outdoors
- Every single child can benefit and was designed for their nervous systems to be stimulated by the outdoors
What Our Kids Illnesses & Challenges Can Teach Us
- Parents have a lot of pressure to FIX their child's issues
-
- Dr. Maya says, “Your child is actually your teacher”
- She encourages parents to stop trying to fix their children and instead listen to their symptoms as their way of showing you how to take care of them better
- 3 things to do for your children: Love them, advocate for them and offer them resources
Where to learn more about Dr. Maya Shetreat...
- Website: drmaya.com
- Instagram: @drmayashetreat
- Dr. Maya's Book: 'The Dirt Cure'
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Jodi Cohen, a bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and founder of Vibrant Blue Oils, where she has combined her training in nutritional therapy and aromatherapy to create unique proprietary blends of organic and wildcrafted essential oils that help her clients heal from brain-related challenges, including anxiety, insomnia, and autoimmunity.
In this episode, Jodi and I discuss the important role essential oils can play in our children's lives, especially those struggling with behavioral, mental health, and developmental challenges. Introducing organic essential oils into your child's routine and teaching them how and when to use them can empower them to take control of their symptoms in times of anxiety, stress, restlessness, or when experiencing digestive issues. Learn more about Jodi Cohen and Vibrant Blue Oils here.
What are Essential Oils?
- Highly concentrated essence of plants
-
- When plants are concentrated you are able to get a higher dose of whatever deficiency it is you are trying to treat
- Essential oils can be used to help your body regain balance and heal
-
- When you are far out of balance, oils allow a more powerful, concentrated effect to help you return to your balanced state
- Oils are an easy tool to use with your children to maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle
-
- Being ‘in balance’ refers to your state of health mentally and physically
Essential oils for children with behavioral, mental, and developmental challenges
- Oils are fat-soluble which allows them to get to the brain easier
- Helps children who have digestive impairment issues or toxic overload as they can easily apply oils to their skin topically or smell them
-
- Kids can use independently and feel empowered with a tool that they know how to use effectively
-
- I.e. at school when feeling anxious, have a headache, or digestive problem
- You can integrate oils into the bedtime routine early on with infants and toddlers
Essential Oils and Anxiety
- When the body is experiencing anxiety, the nervous system switches into a sympathetic state
-
- A fight, flee or freeze zone that tells the body it is in danger making it hard to focus and deal with anxiety
- Applying a blend of oils to the vagus nerve, the bone you feel on the back of your ear, accessing a kind of off/on switch to allow the body to enter back into a parasympathetic state
-
- The parasympathetic state allows the body to go back into a place of rest and healing telling the brain to calm down and that there is no danger
- Lime and Clove oils are a good blend to address this reset and help with anxiety
-
- Jodi’s blend can be found here
Essential Oils for Sleep
- Children with mental health and developmental disabilities tend to struggle with sleep
-
- Using an essential oil like Lavender in the right dosage and application can help
- If your child is a little restless you can apply lavender to their feet or give them a lavender bath
-
- Lavender bath for children: 1 cup of epsom salt, ½ cup of baking soda and a couple drops of lavender oil - Mix lavender with the epsom salt before you add water
- If the sleep issue is more complicated and their circadian rhythm is off balance, Lori has a special blend available here targeted specifically for advanced sleep issues
How to Properly Use and Apply Essential Oils
- Dilute your oils with olive oil or coconut oil before applying to skin
- Apply oils to reflex and organ points depending on issue
- Less is more! Start slow and do not overdo it! You can always add more later if needed
- Never apply oils to damaged skin
The Importance of Quality in Essential Oils
- Remember they are concentrated. Buying any “essential oil” you find may mean you are buying something that was grown with chemicals and pesticides
- Organic is always best
-
- Using oils that are derived from organically grown sources allows us to avoid additional toxins
Where to learn more about Jodi Cohen...
- Website: vibrantblueoils.com
- Twitter: @vibrantblueoils
- Instagram: @vibrantblueoils
- Jodi Cohen's Book
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Jolene Brighten, a functional naturopathic medical doctor and nutritional biochemist with a focus in women's endocrine health. She is recognized as a leading expert in Post-Birth Control Syndrome and the long-term side effects associated with hormonal contraceptives. Dr. Brighten is the author of ‘Beyond the Pill: A 30-Day Program to Balance Your Hormones, Reclaim Your Body, and Reverse the Dangerous Side Effects of the Birth Control Pill’. She is a speaker, women’s health advocate and a medical advisor for one of the first data-driven apps to offer women personalized birth control recommendations.
In this episode, Dr. Brighten and I discuss the physical and mental health risks of hormonal birth control and the importance of true informed consent before taking it. Side effects can vary from anxiety and depression to increased risk for stroke, heart attack, thyroid, and adrenal disorders. Dr. Brighten provides us with a careful approach to the pill and how to monitor and maintain one's health while on the pill. Teenage girls specifically are 80% percent more likely to develop depression when taking the combination pill of estrogen and progestin. Those who are on “the pill” have a double risk of suicide after one year of taking it. Learn more about Dr. Brighten here.
The Benefits of Having a Menstrual Cycle
- The menstrual cycle the 5th vital sign which helps to determine your specific and unique bodily function
- A menstrual cycle can help determine numerous health issues such as hypothyroidism, poor liver detoxification, iron-deficiency anemia or the making of the wrong type of metabolites.
- Symptoms from your menstrual cycle are your bodies way of communicating to you
-
- This is an opportunity to discover the root cause of many different physical or mental health issues that may be occurring
Why Young Girls Are Being Prescribed Hormonal Birth Control - “The Pill”
- For symptom management alone before ever giving their body the time to adapt to the new routine in their body
-
- Types of symptoms include: irregular periods, menstrual pain, acne, migraines, mood issues like anxiety and depression
- 60% of women go on the pill for symptom management which can result in major side effects and risks
-
- The pill puts you at higher risk for strokes, heart attacks, clots, autoimmune disorders, thyroid and adrenal disorders
Mental Health Risks While Taking The Pill
- Women taking birth control are 23% more likely to also be prescribed an antidepressant
- Women prescribed progestin are 34% more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant
-
- Progestin is a synthetic hormone, progesterone is a natural hormone
- Teenage girls specifically are 80% percent more likely to develop depression when taking the combination pill of estrogen and progestin
- Teens who are taking progestin exclusively, commonly called the mini pill, have two-fold increased risk of depression
- Young women have 3 times the risk of committing suicide while on the pill
- Teens have a double risk of suicide after one year of taking the pill
-
- The pill is easier to get now more than ever
- BE AWARE of your daughters’ signs and symptoms;
-
- Lack of motivation, withdrawals from social activity, raging emotions
- These are can be normal symptoms of a teen but mixed with the pill they are at a much higher risk of harming themselves
What to Do Before Starting The Pill
- Before starting the pill, try to spend at least one or more full menstrual cycles documenting your symptoms for each day both physically and emotionally in order to understand your baseline
-
- If you can also attain lab testing (thyroid panel, CBC, homocysteine test) before starting that will also allow you to have record of that baseline to refer to should other health issues arise
- Look into your family health history
-
- If your family has a history of inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn’s disease use caution
- A Harvard study found that 5 years on the pill with a family history of Crohn’s meant a 300% risk of developing it
How to Maintain Your Health While Taking The Pill
- Eat a diet filled with whole food
-
- Be sure to take a prenatal or multivitamin to help with nutrient depletion
- Consider taking a probiotics
- Effects of the pill can strongly affect your microbiome
-
- Taking the pill has been shown to have similar effects of an antibiotic
Where to learn more about Dr. Brighten...
- Website: drbrighten.com
- Instagram: @drjolenebrighten
- Twitter: @drbrighten
- Dr. Brighten's Book
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Leanne Ely, a certified nutritionist passionate about bringing families back to the dinner table and eating meals together. In addition to her syndicated column, ‘The Dinner Diva’ that appears in 250 newspapers nationwide she writes a popular food for thought column on the ever popular flylady.net. In 2001, Leanne created the Menu-Mailer on SavingDinner.com and has been dubbed the “mother” of menu planning. Leanne’s goal is to bring families closer together by enjoying healthy and easy-to-prepare meals.
In this episode, Leanne and I discuss the importance of the family dinner table and the incredible effects it has on both parents and children. Leanne provides us with steps on how to approach integrating mealtime back into our family culture and practical tips to make the transition become a new habit. She shares her personal experience and tips on resistant children that struggle with developmental or behavioral disorders and encourages parents to not lose heart. Children and teenagers who connect with their parents during mealtime build better parent-child relationships and have fewer chances of creating habits of substance abuse. Learn more about Leanne here.
Mealtime Matters
- Creating a habit of eating together at the dinner table has a wealth of positive effects
-
- Children feel a sense of belonging and have higher-quality relationships with their parents
- Studies show that children and teenagers who have frequent dinners with their parents are less likely to engage in substance abuse
Where To Begin
- Full family effort leads to a higher chance of success
-
- As a family, discuss and make a menu plan together
- This must be a family effort, not a one-person show (mom or dad only)
- Disperse the responsibility
-
- Get your spouse on board before approaching and convincing the children
- Take a child with you to help grocery shop
- Bring the family into the kitchen to help
-
- Designate different days for different tasks per child
- Let them be creative and interact with the food
- Hands-on nutrition: peaks interest in food variety for picky eaters
Embrace The Chaos
- Remember: Making this collaboration happen is not an easy task
-
- It is easy to say, “I could do this faster if I just did it myself” but the results and payoff of spending those extra minutes have results that last a lifetime
- By adding elements of fun your children are more likely to willingly participate
- Learning small tasks and table manners come naturally when they are involved in the cooking process and engaged at the dinner table
-
- Your children may not be accustomed to sitting around a table but they will learn and adapt with time
- “Embrace your chaos, embrace your family, fix the things you can fix and just do the best that you can. It will get better as time goes on.” - Leanne Ely
Engaging Resistant Children
- If your child has a developmental or behavioral disorder do not lose heart
-
- Your child can still learn and benefit greatly from this time together
- Teach simple tasks and follow them with great acknowledgment and applaud every achievement
- Repetition is key to success
- Do not let one child dictate the standards you want for your family
No-Device Zone
- Mealtimes are a good starting point to create boundaries with electronic devices
- Having device-free mealtimes is essential to connect with one another and build relationships
- Begin by weaning your children off of the device for this occasion vs just taking it away
-
- Come up with a plan that works best for you and your family
-
- Maybe that is allowing them to use the device until the table is set and everyone sits down and then puts their phone in a basket for the duration of the meal
- Remember everyone’s family is unique and you know your family best!
Where to learn more about Leanne Ely...
- Website: savingdinner.com
- Twitter: @savingdinner
- Leanne's Instagram
- Saving Dinner Instagram
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Dan Fortenbacher, a board-certified fellow and clinical professor at the College of Optometry at Ferris State University specializing in developmental vision, Neuro-Optometry and vision therapy. He has developed models of innovation in the delivery of developmental, binocular and Neuro-Optometric vision rehabilitative care. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Fortenbacher is an adjunct faculty at Southern College of Optometry, where he is the program supervisor for the W.O.W Vision Therapy developmental vision and rehabilitation private practice residency.
In this episode, Dr. Fortenbacher and I discuss how to detect vision problems in children (even if they have 20/20 vision) and when parents should prompt their doctor for further testing. Dr. Fortenbacher highlights the most common vision problems, how often they are overlooked by routine eye check-ups and their effects on academic success. Visual issues such as convergence insufficiency, developmental dyslexia, amblyopia or lazy-eye, strabismus or crossed-eye can be effectively treated and eradicated with proper visual therapy techniques. Learn more about Dr. Fortenbacher here.
How Vision Problems Can Easily Go Undetected
- Vision goes beyond being able to see clearly
-
- Having 20/20 vision does not mean that your eyes are working together
- When your eyes aren't working together there are a variety of possible outcomes
-
- Difficulty in sustained attention
- Unwantingly divided words or overlapping words when reading
- Clarity at near may be blurry or with overlapping images/words
- All of these outcomes can affect a child's performance, attention, and reading fluency
- Oftentimes if the parent does not specifically question their doctor about the child having a vision problem that affects reading, the proper testing can easily get overlooked
The Complexity of the Visual System
- BOTH eyes have to: Team, Track, and Focus.
- The child then has to visually process and make sense of what they are seeing
-
- This is integral for optimal performance, reading, and attention skills in and outside of the classroom
- Integration - ties in all visual function motor skills with balance, listening, and thinking
- ALL of the above are developmental processes that are to occur naturally but many children struggle and experience delays
Emotional Consequences of Visual Conditions
- When the child is trying to apply themselves and they are unable to perform correctly, frustration ensues
- Children become overwhelmed when dealing with a vision issue and at times it can appear as a behavioral challenge
-
- They may have an attitude that shows they are unwilling and uninterested in trying
Common Visual Conditions
- Convergence Insufficiency - the inability to converge the eyes
-
- Occurs in 8-12% of the pediatric population
- The top binocular visual eye condition
-
- It can be effectively treated with vision therapy
- ‘Developmental Dyslexia’ - JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) coined this term when researching the frequency of visual conditions such as convergence insufficiency and oculomotor dysfunction
-
- A significant amount children with developmental dyslexia have binocular, accommodative and oculomotor dysfunction
- There are treatments to help these conditions
- Motion Sickness - vision therapy can help resolve this issue fairly quickly
Signs That Indicate A Possible Vision Condition
- Is your child struggling in reading and learning?
- Does your child resist or have difficulty with their homework?
- Do they avoid or dislike reading?
- General coordination difficulty?
- Have their vision evaluated beyond the routine eye health check
-
- An evaluation of binocular vision, tracking, focusing and visual processing
Assessment and Treatment Process
- First assessment includes testing: binocular vision, tracking, and focusing.
- If determined that there is a reason for concern, the child will need to return for further evaluation of their visual perceptual abilities where extensive testing is done on the following:
-
- Testing perception to visual memory and visual directionality to measure reversals
- Hand-eye coordination
- Reading tests to evaluate whether the struggle is a reading disability or a reading fluency issue
- Visually directed gross motor skills, vision imbalance, and visuall directed fine motor skills
- Diagnosis - much like rehabilitation in occupational therapy or speech-language therapy, vision therapy is therapeutic
-
- Fun activities with visual challenges are guided by a therapist once or twice a week
- Progress is measured and can take around 3-4 months to remediate the issue
- Patients with more complex issues, with autism or who have crossed eyes, lazy eyes, will take longer but can be treated effectively
- Vision therapy can also be applied to adults - age is not a barrier
Where to learn more about Dr. Fortenbacher
- Website: wowvision.net
- Twitter: @wowvision
- Wow Vision Therapy Youtube
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- Drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Dr. Sheila Kilbane, a board-certified pediatrician also trained in integrative medicine by Andrew Weil, MD. She uses the best of traditional and integrative medicine to help families find the root cause of their child’s illness by walking through her seven-step process to significantly improve or resolve, illnesses such as: colic, reflux, eczema, recurrent ear and sinus infections, asthma, allergies, ADHD, and stomach and GI issues like constipation, abdominal pain, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and sensory integration disorder. Sheila conducts an online course to help parents resolve chronic illness in their children by using her step-by-step approach and is the author “Healthy Kids Happy Moms - A Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Many Common Childhood Illnesses”.
In this episode, Sheila and I discuss the difference between the conventional and integrative approach to medicine in pediatrics and how parents can take simple steps toward improving their child’s chronic illness. Sheila shares her seven-step approach to addressing illness and provides valuable resources on where and how parents can begin to incorporate simple changes that bare significant results. Learn more about Sheila here.
Surge of Chronic Illness in Children
- A few decades ago, approximately 1 in 7 children had a chronic health issue, today 1 in 2 children
- The food supply has drastically evolved
-
- Chemicals, herbicides, pesticides are all more commonly used in comparison to the past
- Roundup
-
- Roundup was originally patented as an antibiotic
- It is commonly used as a chemical sprayed on crops to help with a quick turnover in crop production
- It becomes absorbed by the part of the plants that we consume
- Consuming non-organic wheat, corn, and soy exposes children to an excess of chemicals and pesticides that can alter the good bacteria in their gut
- The personal care products we use on our bodies and cleaning products we use daily in our homes also play a role
The Difference Between Conventional Medicine vs. Functional Medicine in Pediatrics
- Example: Looking at a case of eczema
-
- Conventional Medicine
-
- Trained to find a steroid treatment to apply to the skin in order to resolve the issue
- Functional/Integrative Medicine
-
- Trained to take steps that look at all factors to find the root cause of the reaction
- Address the 5 triggers of inflammation: food, environmental allergies, environmental toxins, stress, and infections.
- By addressing inflammation in the body, you will also be addressing inflammation in the brain
-
- Decreasing the source of inflammation allows the body to return to working naturally
7 Steps to Confronting Chronic Illness
- Assessment - find a practitioner assessing the child’s medical history from an integrative standpoint
- Understanding that inflammation is illness
- Addressing the 5 triggers of Inflammation:
-
- Food, Environmental allergies, Environmental toxins, Stress, Infections
- Gut Health
- Food - Start with tackling breakfast (see below)
- Supplements
- Roadmap
Change Up the Food Routine - Tackle Breakfast First
- Remove cereal and milk - this immediately eliminates a lot of sugar
- Try eggs, organic bacon or sausage, a burger, a piece of salmon, leftover chicken
- Try a healthy fat or protein and something colorful
-
- A green smoothie is a great way to integrate color
- Integrating more organic whole foods automatically shifts away from sugar intake
The Environmental Working Group: The Clean 15 & The Dirty Dozen
- The Environmental Working Group has guidelines to help you shop for produce and reduce your chemical and pesticide intake
-
- The Clean 15
- The Dirty Dozen
- You can download their app ‘EWG’s Healthy Living’
- You can decrease your pesticide exposure by up to 92% by following their guidelines
- Children with higher percentages of pesticide exposure have higher rates of ADHD
- The EWG also has resources to point parents in the right direction for reducing toxicity levels in their personal care products
Where to learn more about Sheila Kilbane
- sheilakilbane.com
- Twitter: @SheilaKilbaneMD
- Instagram: @sheilakilbanemd
- Sheila's Book on Amazon
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
- Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Rev. Mantu Joshi, an author, minister, and instructor on disability at Western Michigan University. He is the facilitator for Family Foundations at the First United Methodist Church. He has been a resident chaplain with the Oregon Burn Center and Randall Children's hospital, and has appeared numerous times nationally on NPR. He is author of the popular book, "The Resilient Parent: Everyday Wisdom for Life with Your Exceptional Child", which ADDitude Magazine has called one of the eight most important books for parents.
In this episode, Mantu and I discuss how parents can find resilience through mindfulness, especially for those who have children with special needs, sensory issues or disorders. Mantu offers personal insight as a special needs parent and enforces parents with the confidence, tools, and tips they need to acknowledge and accept their feelings. Parents often place the needs of their children above themselves, disregarding their feelings out of guilt leading to heightened anxiety and depression.
Defining Resilience
- Resilience commonly is understood as a bouncing back effect
-
- Psychologist Norman Garmezy’s risk assessments studied the ways that people deal with resilience and looked at it as manifest competence despite exposure to significant stressors
- Becoming a resilient parent
-
- Resilience includes the process of change within ourselves, not just a form of bouncing back to where we once were
- The act of moving forward with change is an acceptance to new growth and who you will become
Dealing With Grief as Parents with Special Needs Children
- Grief is often overlooked in parents, especially those with children who have special needs
- Processing and accepting this grief is very important
-
- Grief is not only related to the loss of someone in this instance, it applies to all facets of life
- The four tasks of grief
-
- Accepting the reality of the loss
- Processing the pain of grief
- Adjusting to the world without that person
- Maintaining a connection
Helping Parents Acknowledge and Accept Their Feelings Without Guilt
- Take 5 minutes each day to write down what your expectations were of parenting in one column and another column write what you have actually experienced
-
- This allows you to work on acceptance and receive a sense of freedom
- Also allows your mind to move on and begin to create and cultivate new ideas for your family
- Remember: It is okay to experience feelings of loss as a parent
-
- It often helps lead to you becoming more resilient on your journey of parenthood
- Each stage of development in your child presents new changes, challenges, and recurring feelings of loss
Practicing Mindfulness
- Be present to the moment
- Mindfulness leads to empathy
- These factors inhibit your ability to express empathy in the now
-
- Practice focusing on the now, not all the whats, ifs, or buts of the future
- Being present to your child in the stage they are in today
- Let go of the outside factors, or “the storm”
Two Simple Practices to Create Calm in the Midst of Chaos
- Keep something symbolic in your pocket or purse that acts as a reminder to help you find your grounding again
- Simple mind and body practice:
- Are our eyes soft? Do the muscles around them look relaxed?
- Are you gritting your teeth? Is your jaw tight?
-
- Focus on your tongue and release your jaw while taking deep breaths
-
- Concentrate on your tongue and eyes
- These kinds of practices will aid in re-connecting you to your physical self and allowing you to calm down
Where to learn more about Rev. Mantu Joshi
- DRT Press
- Twitter: @resilientparent
- Mantu Joshi's Facebook Page
- Mantu’s Youtube Channel
- Mantu Joshi's Book
Connect with Dr. Nicole Beurkens on...
- drbeurkens.com
Need help with improving your child’s behavior naturally?
- My book Life Will Get Better is available for purchase, click here to learn more.
- Looking for more? Check out my Blog and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program - a resource guide for parents who want to be more effective with improving their child’s behavior.
Interested in becoming a patient? Contact us here.
My guest this week is Jenny Carr, a leading inflammation expert and international best selling author of ‘Piece of Cake: The Secret To An Anti-Inflammatory Diet’. After surviving a near-death experience due to an autoimmune condition, Jenny is on a mission to aid others in healing through teaching how to implement and maintain an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. Jenny specializes in helping children and parents reverse symptoms from chronic illnesses like autoimmune diseases, behavioral disorders, and physical and mental disorders. All without feeling deprived and overwhelmed.
In this episode, Jenny and I discuss how incredibly impactful an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle can be for families. Jenny provides parents with practical tips on how to help their children identify, address, and engage in treating inflammation. Children on the spectrum, with ADHD, ADD, anxiety and behavioral challenges have seen life-changing effects by the safe elimination of toxic ingredients such as processed sugars while following an anti-inflammatory diet. Learn more about Jenny here.
What is Inflammation?
- Acute inflammation - when our body reacts with inflammation to support the healing process
-
- occurs when we break an ankle, sprain a wrist, have a cold or flu
- Chronic inflammation - inflammation that represents ‘toxins’ and shows itself uniquely for each individual whether it be physically or behaviorally
-
- Appears uniquely for everyone because it targets areas each individual is susceptible to
- Can be linked to symptoms such as chronic stomach pains, digestive issues, bloating, headaches, skin conditions
-
- Can come from genetic predisposition or overused weakened areas
Chronic Inflammation in Children
- Inflammation is linked to many different behavioral symptoms
-
- Sensory conditions
- ADHD, ADD
- Chronic anxiety
- Depression
Helping Children Find and Understand Inflammation
- Find ways to help the child understand and identify what is happening with their body. By doing so, the child will feel more invested in making changes to better themselves
-
- Ex: Draw a stick figure and have the child point or draw an ‘X’ where they feel something hurts or something is wrong
- If of writing age, encourage them to write notes of how they are feeling
What Causes Inflammation?
- Our diet
-
- Stray from food-like products and replace with actual whole foods
- Lack of water consumption
-
- We tend to replace water with other beverages like juice, soda, and coffee
- Water is key to the methylation process in our liver that allows our body to process toxins and inflammations
- Stress
-
- Stress lies at the root of inflammation
- Societal pressures continue to rise for both adults and children
- Lack of rest
-
- Not getting enough sleep does not allow your body to heal and regenerate the cells needed to help rid the body of toxins
- Our thoughts or mindfulness
-
- Emotional wellbeing links directly to stress levels in both children and adults
- Environmental toxins
-
- Parasites, household cleaning products, personal care products
Top 6 Inflammatory Foods
- Processed sugar - there are over 50 names of processed sugar!
- Alcohol
- Wheat - most wheat is highly genetically modified and processed containing many pesticides
- Cow Dairy - has large protein molecules that are harder for the body to break down
- GMO (Genetically modified foods ) - found in wheat, corn, soy, cane sugar
- Inflammatory Oils - vegetable oil, canola oil, corn oil, and even seed oils
-
- Seed oils that have been heated change on a molecular basis and can cause inflammatory responses
Where to Begin: The First Step to an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
- Instead of trying to cut all inflammatory foods at once and start with the most harmful of them all - processed sugars
- Cut processed sugars from your diet and swap them with non-inflammatory sugars such as:
-
- Pure maple syrup, raw honey, whole, and dried fruits
Sugar Detox
- Addiction to processed sugars and cravings are very intense when removing them from any diet
- Have clean sweet treats on hand for you and your child that are made with non-inflammatory ingredients to aid with the transition
The Clean Eating Kid Challenge
- Visit thecleaneatingkidchallenge.com to get a FREE copy of Jenny’s advanced reader book where she outlines countless helpful tips for parents and children such as:
-
- Helping you improve chronic symptoms in your children
- Teaching you how to adapt to the anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle
- Walking you through the grocery store aisle and giving you the tools to know what to buy and what to avoid
- Steps on how to stop cravings in their tracks, and so much more!
Where to learn more about Jenny Carr
- Jenny's Website
- Instagram: @jennycarrhealth
- Twitter: @jennycarrhealth
- Jenny’s Facebook Page
- Jenny Carr's Books on Amazon
My guest this week is Katie Kimball, a former teacher, blogger and mom of 4 kids who founded the Kids Cook Real Food eCourse. Through her online blog, Kitchen Stewardship, Katie’s discovered that getting kids in the kitchen and teaching them to cook not only builds life skills but is the best way to show kids that they matter and can make a difference in the world. She believes if every child in America was taught to cook, we would smash statistics on childhood obesity, depression, behavior disorders and more.
In this episode, Katie and I discuss how the kitchen can be a source of connection, confidence, and creativity. Helping children build life skills in the kitchen yields incredible results, allowing children’s curiosity and creativity to peak by engaging with nutrient-packed vegetables and ingredients. Children with ADHD, behavioral challenge, anxiety, or who are on the Autism spectrum gain independence in the kitchen and conquer fears and anxiety by learning valuable tasks. Learn more about Katie here.
Connection and Confidence in the Kitchen
- Teaching children real tasks helps them see their potential for independence and it builds lasting trust
- When children learn to complete tasks from start to finish it gives them pride
-
- Helpful for children on the spectrum, with ADHD or other mental health challenges
- Repetition is key; using repetitive language with fun phrases to go along with actions
- Bringing children into the kitchen starts the process for positive connection and brain development all the way into adulthood
Teaching A New Skill
- For successful teaching of a new skill make sure to:
-
- Strive to maintain a positive, stress-free environment to avoid negative feelings towards cooking or participation in the kitchen
- Do not teach a new skill during dinner preparation as it can lead quickly to a stressful environment
- Once the skill has been learned, efficiency in the kitchen naturally beings to take place
Exposure to Vegetables
- Helps children who have aversion to vegetables
- ALL exposure to a variety of these nutritious foods counts in preparing their tolerance
-
- Shopping at the farmers market, preparing and serving meals
- Helps support a healthier lifestyle in the future
- Vegetables can be assimilated with a healthy fat to help with bitter taste
-
- Dips, butters, etc made of healthy whole fats
Where to Begin
- Pre-schoolers: Reflect and reinforce lessons being learned at school like small motor skills
-
- Pouring, aiming for the center, measuring, being careful
- Must maintain a happy environment
-
Early Elementary: Reinforce their reading and organization and multi-task skills. Those with maturity and interest can be introduced to working with a small paring knife.
-
- How to follow a recipe, organize their supplies, how to make a main dish and side dish simultaneously
- To introduce using the oven, it is important to practice the steps with the oven off first to help with any previously associated fears
-
- This is very important to practice with children who have behavioral disorders and mental health challenges
- Big Kids: Focus on reinforcing prioritization, challenges and problem-solving. Older children can fully execute a meal
School Lunches
- Have the kids help out with school lunches the night before it makes the morning rush less frantic
- Have the bigger kids pack their own and the smaller kids help with prep and putting things in containers
Where to learn more about Katie Kimball
- Website: kidscookrealfood.com
- Instagram: @kidscookrealfood
- Twitter: @kitchenstew
- Katie Kimball's Facebook Page
- Katie’s Books on Amazon
My guest this week is Trudy Scott, a certified nutritionist on a mission to educate and empower parents and children who suffer from anxiety. She is known for her expertise in the use of targeted individual amino acids, the social anxiety condition pyroluria and the harmful effects of benzodiazepines. Trudy is the author of The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood and End Cravings.
In this episode, Trudy and I discuss the incredible impact that targeted amino acids can have on both children and adults when approached with the right guidance. Trudy shares a few case studies demonstrating the use of amino acids such as Tryptophan, GABA, DPA and more. Connect with Trudy online via her blog, Facebook, and Twitter.
Where does anxiety come from?
- Trauma
- Psychological impact
- Biochemical imbalances
What Are Amino Acids?
- Amino acids help create and maintain good levels of brain chemicals and neurotransmitters
-
- This helps with nutritional deficiencies, such as malabsorption
- They are the building blocks of proteins
-
- i.e. When you consume fish, eggs, red meat - they are broken down into amino acids
Amino Acid Supplements
- Amino acids such as GABA and Tryptophan can be taken in supplemental form
- Tryptophan - used to help make Serotonin
-
- Serotonin is a calming amino acid that aids in low mood
- GABA - a neurotransmitter used to control GABA levels, has a calming effect
Assessing Anxiety Caused by Low Serotonin
- Anxiety symptoms often related to low Serotonin include:
-
- Incessant worry, constant re-processing thoughts, insomnia, afternoon/evening cravings, lack of confidence, fearful, phobias, anger issues
- Upon determining low Serotonin levels an Amino Acid supplement trial can be initiated
-
- Case Study example of an 11-year old girl using Tryptophan
-
5-HTP, also helps with low Serotonin
-
- Must be observed carefully within adults in children
-
Often if an amino supplement works with the parents it also works well with the child
Amino Acid In-Office Trial
- Chewable or sublingually is best
-
- Allows for quick results, 5-10 minutes
- Sometimes effects are subtle but commonly a noticeable change can be seen
-
- This is easier to detect in adults. It may be more difficult for children to express how they are feeling.
- Level of symptoms will be assessed before and after consuming the amino acid supplement to determine whether the dosage needs to be increased or maintained
- Visible changes can also be seen in non-verbal children
Anxiety Caused by GABA
- GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid)
- In children - i.e. poor sleep, holding stomach when anxious or stomach butterflies, tension in shoulders, use of sugary foods to self-medicate
- In adults - i.e tension in shoulders, stomach butterflies, using carbs or alcohol to self-medicate tension at end of day
-
- Low GABA levels result in physical tension
In-Home Amino Acid Trial
- ‘GABA Calm’ - sublingual supplement
-
- 125 mg low-dose, a good place to start if you are trying at home
- All types of Amino Acid supplements should not be consumed with meals
- Example of Mother-Daughter GABA trial
- Anxiety is often manifested as hyperactivity and can be mistaken for ADHD
- Trudy’s book is a great guide to approach Aminos at home
Other Amino Acids to Consider
- Tryptophan - (use the chewable for better taste)
- Tyrosine - for attention issues
- DPA - can help to break carb addiction in children who will only eat carbs and dairy. It is an amino acid that raises endorphin levels so we have the feeling of comfort, reward, etc.
Where to Learn More About Trudy Scott
- Website & Blog
- Book
- The Anxiety Summit
- The Anxiety Nutrition Institute
My guest this week is Judy Converse, a licensed registered dietitian, and nutritionist who works with children of all ages to customize nutrition strategy so that they can learn, grow and thrive. In addition to running her private practice, Nutrition Care For Children, she has published three print books, two e-books, and numerous articles on nutrition support for children with autism, ADHD, allergies, FPIES, growth and feeding issues, behavioral disorders, constipation and more. I hope you'll enjoy this episode learning about the effect of nutrition on children's behavior.
In this episode, Judy and I discuss the incredible power of nutrition and its effect on children's mood and behavior. Judy shares her expertise on how parents can begin to assess their children’s nutrition and what signs to be aware of when nutritional intervention may be necessary. She brings an extensive history of knowledge to the table and even discusses a few case studies where nutritional interventions had a life-changing effect on children in her practice. Learn more about Judy Converse here.
Nutrition Support for Children with Advanced Behavioral Disorders * Most physicians do not receive training in nutritional support * Your child may look fine on a growth chart but may have a nutritional deficit that’s overlooked. * Autism spectrum, ADHD, and sensory processing issues can be addressed with nutritional intervention, however, medication is often the first line of defense.
Assessing Nutrition In Children 1. Assess the Gut and What Their Eating * A large body of research shows that the microbiota (or gut bugs) has a direct affect on mood and immune function * Find a practitioner who can properly assess your child's gut health. * Is the child withholding stool? * Are they struggling to eat during the day and have a calorie deficit? This is commonly overlooked.
- Growth Patterns * Often pediatricians will not catch a growth issue unless the child is significantly failing on the growth chart.
-
Are they sleeping well?
-
Iron Status * Being marginal for iron status, pre-anemia
- Functioning falters and could affect a child's ability to learn, specifically in math
- Children need iron to make and break down serotonin and dopamine (these affect mood and focus)
Kids Need Fat and Carbs * Use clean carbs like fruits and veggies vs processed foods high in sugar * Carbs are important for energy output * Before putting your child on a restrictive diet be sure to discuss with a nutrition expert or practitioner
Why Working with a Professional is Essential * When diets are improperly applied, a host of other issues may surface * For example, diets may change growth patterns, affecting how bones are mineralized and can lead to more fractures in children
What Parents Can Do at Home Before Seeking Professional Intervention * Shift away from processed foods and prepare more whole foods to eat * Cut out glyphosate, GMO, and pesticides (these are typically found in processed food) + These ingredients can often trigger ADHD symptoms * Create a healthy mindset around food + Make food fun vs harping on which foods are “bad.” Celebrate healthier food
Nutrition is Powerful * Children with mental health issues can be drastically helped by diving deeper with nutritional interventions * Nutritional intervention may aid in the removal of medication overall, or help find the appropriate blend by optimizing their nutrition and balancing it with the correct medication vs. relying on medication alone to solve the problem * Nutritional interventions should not be overlooked for even the most fragile cases
Where to Learn More About Judy Converse MPH, RD, LDN * NutritionCare.net * Judy Converse Books on Amazon * Facebook * Instagram * Twitter
Our guest this week is Lori Petro, the founder of TEACH through Love, and the creator of Conscious Communication Cards. Lori is dedicated to helping parents learn to communicate without blame, shame, judgment, and guilt. She created TEACH through Love as an online resource for conscious parenting, offering non-punitive and trauma-informed education and support.
In this episode, Lori and I discuss the importance of parent-child communication and how it affects children's behavior and development. Lori introduces her concept of ‘Conscious Communication’ and ‘quality feedback’. She provides us with useful tips to help navigate and implement these skills in order to help improve the parent-child relationship, strengthen children’s neural connections and improve their overall behavior. Learn more about Lori Petro here. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
What is Conscious Communication?
- Becoming aware and present of the words we are using
- Giving quality feedback
Assessing Communication
-
Why am I feeling deregulated that my child isn’t listening to me right now?
-
Why is my stress level rising?
- Why can’t I stay confident and calm when I am setting limits?
- Why do I get triggered so much?
Are you using reactive phrases?
- Reactive communication
-
- Things that do not reflect conscious communication i.e blaming, shaming, judging
- Spitting out directions: “Hurry up!”, “Why aren’t you done?”
- When communicating this way, even when coming from the best intentions, parents must ask themselves how the message is translating to their child
How to Give Quality Feedback
- Offering the child a chance to respond and give you information about what they need
- Restraining from giving directives or judging their behavior
-
- Ex: “I noticed your backpack is at the door. We’ve got 5 minutes to leave, how can I help?”
Lori’s Three-Prong Approach to Assess Behavioral Issues
- SUPPORT - are the parent and child connected?
- STRESS - is this child sensory or cognitively overwhelmed?
- SKILLS- is this a time where the parent must set limits to help them build or grow in a skill i.e. focus, attention, responsibility
How Conscious Communication Can Help Neurological Development
- Kids tend to thrive mentally, physically and emotionally
- When parents respond to their children with empathy, they help strengthen the neuro-connectors in their brain.
Punitive Behavioral Approaches Can Be Harmful to Parent-child Relationship
- Children who are highly sensitive, trigger easily, are on the autism spectrum, or have experienced trauma
- This could lead to hard-wiring of negative behavior, even when your intentions are coming from a good place
Where to learn more?
- teach-through-love.com
- Twitter: @TEACHthruLove
- Facebook: facebook.com/TEACHthroughLOVE/
My guest this week is Dr. Michael Breus, a double board-certified clinical psychologist, and clinical sleep specialist. He's an expert resource for major publications, has written 3 books and is frequently featured on TV, doing more than 200 interviews a year. He's also been in private practice for over 18 years.
In this episode, Dr. Breus shareshow sleep affects behavior. He walks us through how much sleep kids and teens need in order to function optimally. He also shares tips on how to develop better sleep routines. We discuss the common factors that affect quality of sleep in positive and negative ways like the use of electronics, lack of bedtime routine and caffeinevs exercise, reading, meditation, and a calming sleep environment. We also cover recommendations for night terrors and bedwetting.