The Dysregulation Insider Newsletter #26 - Dr. Roseann

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🔎 CASE STUDY

The After-School Backpack Throwing Meltdowns

FAMILY SNAPSHOT:

Shared by a parent in Dr. Roseann’s community

Parent: Eric
Child: Lucy, age 10
Core struggle: Daily after-school meltdowns triggered by transitions and overwhelm

🔍 The Pattern (Before)

Backpack thrown the moment she walked in the door
Yelling or shutting down when asked simple questions
Refusing dinner or any requests
Sibling conflict escalating quickly
Evenings ending with tears or shame

💡 What They Tried Instead:

The After-School Calm Plan

Greeted her with a calm, predictable transition ritual
Offered two choices: quiet time or a walk
Paused all tasks until her body calmed
Used “Behavior = communication” statements
Added a 5-minute decompression window before homework

🌟 What Changed (After 1 Week)

Backpack throwing stopped three out of five days
Lucy transitioned into evenings more calmly
Fewer explosive outbursts and quicker recovery
Improved connection between parent and child
Evenings became smoother and more predictable

🧠 Why This Worked

Reduced transition stress lowered cortisol reactivity
Choices restored a sense of control and safety
Predictability supported the autonomic nervous system
Co-regulation kept Lucy out of limbic overwhelm
Decompression time allowed the prefrontal cortex to come back online

🎧 PODCAST HIGHLIGHT

Why Your Child Freaks Out Over the Smallest Things

📖 BLOG HIGHLIGHT

Behavioral Signs of a Dysregulated Nervous System

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The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.