New Book Offered Parenting Tools for Child Dysregulation
A new guide provides practical strategies for parents to help children manage intense emotions and nervous system stress.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Parenting
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Therapist and school psychologist Roseann Capanna-Hodge has released a new book, The Dysregulated Kid, aimed at helping parents support children through emotional instability. The book focuses on understanding how a child's nervous system responds to chaos and offers actionable techniques to help them find calm.
Why it matters
When a child becomes dysregulated, their frontal lobes effectively go offline, making it difficult for them to process emotions or react calmly. Understanding this biological response allows Chicago parents to move from reacting to their child's behavior to actively supporting nervous system regulation.
The guidance is grounded in the professional experience of author Roseann Capanna-Hodge, who has spent 30 years working as a therapist and school psychologist. The approaches focus on nervous system mechanics, including the use of 60-second micro activities to foster regulation.
The players
Roseann Capanna-Hodge
A therapist and school psychologist with 30 years of experience who authored a guide on managing child dysregulation.
The details
The book details the physiological shift that occurs when a child loses emotional control, specifically noting that the frontal lobes stop functioning correctly during these moments. To address this, the author suggests that parents implement a three-second pause and practice intentional breathing. This technique is intended to help parents co-regulate with their child before attempting to manage the situation, utilizing micro activities like prayer or walking to soothe the nervous system.
Timeline
September 27, 2026: The book, The Dysregulated Kid, was published.
Health Landscape
This resource contributes to a growing trend of integrating nervous system science into common parenting practices. It sits within the established framework of social-emotional learning, which emphasizes biological regulation as a foundation for behavioral health in children.
If you are struggling with a child's reactive behavior, try incorporating the three-second pause to help yourself remain calm during tense interactions. These techniques are tools for your parenting repertoire, but ongoing or severe behavioral challenges are worth discussing with your pediatrician.
The takeaway
Recognizing that a child’s frontal lobes go offline during dysregulation can help shift your perspective from frustration to support. Practicing simple breathwork or short, grounding activities when you notice your child's stress rising may help de-escalate emotional spikes.
Further reading
For more strategies on supporting your family's emotional health, visit the Parenting section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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