What Parents Aren’t Told About Behavior, Reflexes & the Nervous System with Dr. Karla Mehlenbacher

About this episode

This episode explores the underlying causes of children's behavioral challenges with Dr. Karla Mehlenbacher, focusing on the nervous system and emotional regulation.

If your child struggles with big emotions, sensory overwhelm, hyperactivity, food aversion or meltdowns, this episode is for you. We’re joined by Dr. Karla Mehlenbacher, a Board-Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and founder of Take Root Brain & Body, to explore what’s really behind so many of the behavioral challenges today’s parents are facing. Spoiler: it’s not always ADHD. Work with Dr. Karla LINK From primitive reflexes to nervous system dysregulation, Dr. Karla breaks down how a child’s brain and body adapt to stress and what signs we’re missing when we rely only on behavior labels. You’ll learn why some kids are stuck in fight, flight, or freeze… and how small, supportive changes at home can create safety, connection, and real growth. This holistic, science-backed conversation is essential for moms, dads, teachers, and caregivers navigating parenting in a modern world. We also talk about what it looks like for adults to heal their own nervous system and why that’s the first step toward parenting with clarity and compassion. Topics include: What primitive reflexes reveal about brain development The truth about behavior vs. biology Movement, meltdowns, and misdiagnosis…

People in this episode

Host: Megan Young

Guest: Dr. Karla Mehlenbacher

Topics covered

• child behavior
• nervous system
• sensory overwhelm
• primitive reflexes
• parenting strategies
• emotional regulation

Keywords

• big emotions
• hyperactivity
• food aversion
• meltdowns
• co-regulation
• fight or flight
• brain development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Take Root Brain & Body

More episodes of Suburban Burnout

• Nurturing Your Kids’ Friendship & The Motherhood Divide We’re Not Buying Into · December 22, 2025 · 16 min
• Too Hot to Handle: Heat, Youth Sports & One Mom's Game-Changing Solution · December 15, 2025 · 37 min
• Permission to Be Complicated: Parenting, Peacemaking & Owning Your Voice w/Kelsey Blahnik · December 1, 2025 · 1h 1m
• Gratitude, Growth, & Grit: Katie Wood on Raising Resilient Kids (and Parents) · November 24, 2025 · 39 min
• The Kids Are Feral, The Moon Is Closer, and I Built a Fort · November 10, 2025 · 20 min
• Choosing You AND Them: Hope’s Playbook for Career Leaps, Teens & Family Balance · October 27, 2025 · 51 min