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Help for Emotional Dysregulation in Kids | Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge

What’s the #1 burning questionabout your child’s behavior that keeps you up at night?

309: When Nothing’s Working… Here’s What a Brain Map Can Show You That Nothing Else Will

Feeling stuck? Learn how brain mapping provides data-driven insights into your child’s behavior, helping you move forward with clarity, confidence, and personalized support strategies.
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Feeling overwhelmed and out of options when it comes to your child’s challenges? When all the usual approaches fail, a brain map becomes a game-changer. It helps us understand what’s really going on so we can build a plan that uses your child’s strengths to support their challenges.

In today’s episode, we’ll dive into how brain mapping works, why it’s such a powerful tool for parents, and how it can transform your approach to supporting your child. No guesswork—just data, clarity, and next steps.

The Role of Brain Maps in Diagnosis and Treatment

A brain map, or QEEG, is a simple, non-invasive process where a cap measures the brain’s surface electrical activity. It shows us how different areas of the brain are functioning—whether they’re overactive, underactive, or just not communicating well. This has nothing to do with intelligence. Rather, it’s about performance and connectivity.

And that’s where it gets fascinating. A brain map doesn’t just show how individual parts of the brain are working; it shows how well they’re talking to each other. Especially in neurodivergent kids—those with ADHD, autism, learning differences—these communication patterns can be even more important than the brain structures themselves.

The reality, however, is that brain maps are not too mainstream. Most providers aren’t trained in this level of brain analysis. People often bring me maps from elsewhere because they didn’t get real insight.

And that’s where I come in. I’m a licensed mental health counselor, a certified school psychologist, and Board Certified in neurofeedback. For over 30 years, I’ve worked with complex kids, helping families connect the dots between brain function and real-life behavior.

I’m also neurodivergent—and a parent of neurodivergent kids—so I truly get it. I want to emphasize that every brain is different, and optimizing brain function isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about helping you feel better and function at your best.

Challenges and Benefits of Brain Maps

A brain map can tell us what’s really going on in the brain, especially when other tools come up short. Collecting the data itself is actually pretty simple. We use a cap to measure the brain’s surface electrical activity, and that gives us a visual snapshot of what areas are overactive, underactive, or just not doing what they should.

The real challenge isn’t the process—it’s the interpretation. That’s where my experience matters. I’ve looked at well over 10,000 brain maps, and I stopped counting after that. At this point, I can usually see the patterns in less than a minute.

If your frontal lobes are running slow, I can tell you focus is probably a struggle. If your limbic system is lit up, there’s probably emotional reactivity. But I don’t stop at the obvious. I’ve learned to recognize what a brain with PANS or Lyme looks like, or what shows up in autism, seizure disorders, and more.

When I review a child’s brain map with parents, their confusing behaviors often suddenly make sense. Many even joke that I must’ve been watching their child closely—that’s how accurate it is. When interpreted properly, a brain map eliminates the guesswork. It gives us a clear understanding of what’s overactive, underactive, or dysregulated, allowing us to move beyond uncertainty about whether we’re dealing with ADHD, a learning disorder, PANS, or another underlying issue.

So why isn’t this widely used? The reality is, brain maps aren’t typically covered by insurance, which limits accessibility. But just as importantly, accurate interpretation requires extensive clinical training and experience. I’ve trained physicians who’ve shared that learning to read and apply brain data was more challenging than anything they encountered in medical school—and that speaks volumes.

Most families come to me after a long road of confusion, frustration, and trial-and-error. What matters most to me is working with families who are respectful and ready to put in the effort. Because the truth is, this work is hard and emotions can run high. But when we finally see what’s really happening in the brain, when we have clarity instead of chaos—that’s where healing begins.

Real-World Applications and Success Stories

What I do isn’t just about running brain maps—it’s about using my decades of clinical experience to actually strategize care. I’ve seen time and time again that people come to me after trying everything—traditional medicine, homeopathy, integrative treatments—and still not getting answers.

What makes the difference is my ability to connect the dots. A brain map is not just data—it’s a starting point. I’m not just reading patterns; I’m combining that data with deep clinical insight built from 30+ years of working with thousands of kids and families.

A mom brought me her child with ADHD, OCD, mood disorder, and possible autism—no one could figure it out. After a brain map and the right questions, we uncovered a trauma no one had connected to the symptoms. Once we did, everything changed.

Or the family who thought their child had PANS, but the brain map showed something different. No current infections. Instead, we discovered a head injury from age two that had gone unaddressed, even though providers had known about it. That clarity shifted everything.

I don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. I build strategic, custom care plans for each family—step-by-step guidance that actually works. Because this is concierge-level care, I only take on a few families each month. With support from my case manager and admin team, we go beyond neurofeedback—bringing in supplements, nutrition, our CALM PEMF device, and more. Healing the nervous system takes a multi-pronged approach.

One mom even found me through Google after she’d tried everything. Through our work, she finally understood what was going on with her child. That’s what expert care does—it cuts through the chaos and brings clarity.

Parents tell me all the time: “Nothing worked until we did a brain map.” That brain map, paired with my clinical insight, helps me see exactly what each child needs.

Watch out for my book coming in September 2026! It’s going to be a game-changer for parents, educators, and professionals who are tired of band-aid solutions and ready for real answers. If you’ve ever felt like no one truly understands your child—or like you’ve tried everything and nothing has worked—this book is for you.

And if you’ve been thinking about working with me, don’t wait. Now’s the time. I promise you—there is a clear path forward. You just need the right guide.

The Future of Brain Maps and Parenting

I couldn’t be more excited about where we’re headed. If you’ve been up at 2am googling “what’s wrong with my kid?”—I see you. Brain maps are the future of parenting kids who are wired differently.

Join me this May 27th at 12PM for a special Coffee Chat—a live conversation for just 20 people. If you’re truly interested in getting a brain map or working with me, sign up here: https://drroseann.com/coffeechat/

This is concierge-level care, and I’m passionate about it because I’ve seen lives turn around fast. Not years—weeks. And yes, my book is coming in 16 months, and it’s going to shift how we talk about parenting and mental health forever.

So if you’re unsure, or you’ve tried everything—don’t give up. A brain map can tell you what your next step is, whether that’s neurofeedback, diet changes, or something totally different. I’ll be honest with you about what you need, even if it’s not my program.

Let’s stop spinning our wheels. Let’s calm the brain and change the outcome.

Not sure where to start? We’ll help you find the right solution tailored to your needs. Take ourFREE Brain and Behavior Solutions Matcher today!

Discover science-backed mental health solutions and gain valuable insights by exploring the resources available atwww.drroseann.com.

Experience real change with our 1-on-1 BrainBehaviorReset™ Program designed to soothe your child’s nervous system and unlock their full potential.

Links and Resources:

➡️ Join our FREE Natural Parenting Community to receive science-backed resources for your child and family. Join here.

➡️ Get help from Dr. Roseann and her team. Apply here. 

➡️ “Is it ADHD or something else?” Take the quiz. 

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge: Revolutionizing Children’s Mental Health

 
Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge’s podcast, It’s Gonna be OK!™: Science-Backed Solutions for Children’s Behavior and Mental Health, is in the top 2% globally. The podcast empowers parents with natural, science-backed solutions to improve children’s self-regulation and calm their brains. Each episode delivers expert advice and practical strategies, making it indispensable for parents of neurodivergent children or those with behavioral or mental health challenges.

Dr. Roseann, founder of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health and Dr. Roseann, LLC, created the Neurotastic™ Brain Formulas andBrainBehaviorReset® method. With her extensive experience, she provides families with hope and effective strategies to manage conditions like ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and PANS/PANDAS. 

Forbes has called her “A thought leader in children’s mental health,” highlighting her revolutionary impact on mental health education and treatment. Through her podcast and innovative methods, Dr. Roseann continues to transform how we approach, treat and understand children’s mental health.

Portrait of Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge standing confidently with arms crossed, smiling warmly, dressed professionally, conveying expertise, compassion, and authority in mental health care.
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