The Better Behavior Show with Dr. Nicole Beurkens

Latest Episodes:

Episode 3: The Powerful Effect Of Nutrition On Children's Behavior Nov 28, 2018

Show notes

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.

2. Growth Patterns

Often pediatricians will not catch a growth issue unless the child is significantly failing on the growth chart.
Are they sleeping well?

3. 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

Episode 2: Words Matter: How Conscious Communication Improves Behavior in Kids Nov 21, 2018

Show notes

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/

Episode 1: How Sleep Affects Behavior In Children - with Dr. Breus, The Sleep Doctor Nov 09, 2018

Show notes

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 shares how 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 caffeine vs exercise, reading, meditation, and a calming sleep environment. We also cover recommendations for night terrors and bedwetting.