Today's episode is all about the DSM diagnosis Selective Mutism. This is a condition I have seen many times in the kids in the office. We will cover what it is, what it looks like and some of the underlying physical and neurological systems at play and lastly the different ways of helping children with this diagnosis. 

My website

Today's episode is all about Trichotillomania which is a mental health disorder characterized by recurrent hair pulling. I see a LOT of kids with this symptom. Not necessarily ones who have received an official trichotillomania diagnosis, but certainly many who have pervasive hair pulling.

This disorder falls under the anxiety umbrella and is often associated with a retained Moro reflex and an highly immature and over-sensitive stress response. Check out this episode to learn more about this disorder and how to support children with it!

You can access my website here.

Today's episode is all about the Fear Paralysis Reflex and the theories behind it. We dive into many of the intricate ways that the body responds to stress and threat. Our stress response should mature through some very distinct stages as we age and continues to adapt to our experiences throughout our lifetime.

Problems can arise with both the development and function of these complex systems. This episode focuses on the "freeze" type response that can be observed in other animals and some children and adults with extremely sensitive nervous systems.

Its a very complex topic that we are still learning about. The main thing for parents and professionals is to take away is that an intense "freeze" response is not a normal reaction to stress. It indicates either an extreme threat or an over-reaction. If you suspect your child may have a retained Fear Paralysis Reflex please be very careful when attempting any testing or treatment.

My favorite resource for information on primitive reflexes: Attention Balance and Coordination by Sally Goddard Blythe

My website, I have an in-depth screening questionnaire you can fill out and I offer free phone consults. 

I am in Colorado but work with families all over the world. I also have a lot of good connections with trusted therapists around the U.S. I can try and get you in contact with someone local and will offer remote services to any family who doesn't have a local option. 

Today's episode is all about delayed cord clamping. That is the practice of waiting to cut a baby's cord for several minutes after birth. This enables the blood that is circulating through their placenta to pump back to their body. This one simple practice goes a long way in setting up their future brain health.

Listen to an this amazing Ted Talk on the topic.

Visit my website to learn more about supporting children with developmental challenges. 

Today's episode is a mini crash course on primitive reflexes. It covers what they are, why they are important, and how they connect to developmental delays like ADHD and Autism.

My personal belief is that an early developmental screening should be a standard part of every developmental diagnosis. Take a listen to find out why!

Relevant links:

Institute of Neuro-Physiological Psychology (INPP)

INPP USA Licentiate List

Screening Questionnaire

Last month I was invited to speak on a documentary about c-sections in the U.S. The film makers specifically asked me to speak on the long-term neurological impacts on baby. In 2019 a huge meta analysis was publish and found an increased risk of ADHD and Autism for babies born by cesarean. This episode explores that study and dives into the content I prepared for that documentary.

It explores several different mechanisms by which c-sections can negatively impact neurological health and development, specifically the microbiome, delayed cord clamping and early physical and physiological development.

This is a very complex connection that requires us to step back and consider all the things that go into building a healthy brain and body. The way we enter this world plays its part!

In the episode I mention several resources that people may want to check out:

Microbirth - fantastic documentary (and other resources) about how birth impacts our microbiome and gut health.

Ted Talk on delayed cord clamping. Fantastic resource for anyone who plans on giving birth!

My website - if you want to learn more about supporting children with developmental delays or if you are looking for help. 

Todays episode is all about attachment and its profound impact on human development. We are looking at how early relationships shape our understanding of the world and future relationships. We are covering some of the work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth specifically their contributions to attachment theory. This theory posits that secure bonds formed with caregivers in infancy lay the groundwork for emotional resilience and social competence throughout life. Attachment and social relationships are as foundational as movement for brain development. 

This episode covers the four primary attachment styles—secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant—and discusses their implications for both children and adults. We look at how to foster secure attachments in both infants and older children. Looking at practical ways to foster the four factors that influence attachment style: responsiveness, consistency/predictability, sensitive communication, and emotional availability. 

Building secure attachments is easiest in infancy but not always an option. Many older children who come through my doors struggle with their attachments. It can be tricky to develop these things in older children because we can’t use the same strategies. The things young babies need (like hyperresponsiveness) are not the same thing older children need. In fact, certain responses can actually increase anxiety and fear in older children. 

In this episode we look at the overall goal of attachment so we can adapt these principles to help children at different ages and developmental stages. Attachments are not permanent and can change and develop later in life. Sometimes it requires work and help, but there is hope!

Visit my website here.

If you are an adult looking for help for yourself check this website here. 

Today episode is all about hyperactivity. This is a common complaint from the parents that walk through my doors. The term hyperactivity encompasses a variety of different symptoms and behaviors. This episode dives into some of those things and takes a look at the most common underlying physical and neurological systems that impact hyperactivity. 

If you have a child that you are concerned about you can learn more on my website here.

I offer in-person services for families in Colorado and virtual services for any families outside of Colorado who don’t have access to an NDD therapist in their area. 

Today's episode is all about adoption. I work with a lot of adopted kids and they each come with their own considerations. Many social, emotional, behavioral and learning difficulties have their roots in early neurological development; the development that happens from conception through infancy. Neglect, trauma, and other adverse childhood experiences shape the way the brain develops and functions.

Today episode explores these stages through an adoption lens and also covers other considerations like attachment and family dynamics.

If you have a child you're concerned about you can learn more on my website here.

If you are looking for a therapist to help you navigate parenting an adopted child I suggest starting here. 

Today's episode is all about my journey through NDD therapy as a teen. I'm not sure if I have mentioned it in previous episodes but before I became a therapist I went through this process myself. It is one of the things that solidified my desire to pursue this as a profession.

If you are concerned about your child or teen visit my website: earlyrootstherapy.com