Have you ever felt dismissed by your child's school? Your child’s teacher reports they are well-behaved and hitting benchmarks, yet the second they hit the front door at home, they explode into a "whirlwind" of meltdowns.

In this episode, Dr. Courtney sits down with Hannah Higgins, LCSW, a former school social worker and neurodivergent advocate, to demystify the phenomenon of masking. Hannah shares her "both sides of the table" perspective to help parents understand why kids hold it together at school only to crumble at home (often called After-School Restraint Collapse). We dive into the legal differences between IEPs and 504 plans, why you should trust your gut even when grades look "fine," and how to use Hannah’s new app, Advocado Solutions, to become a confident advocate for your child.

• The Reality of Masking: Why "good behavior" at school can actually be a sign of internal suffering and sensory overwhelm.
• 90s Stigma vs. Modern Advocacy: Shifting the narrative from "over-medicating" to creating neurodivergent-affirming environments.
• The "Safe Place" Meltdown: Why your child saves their biggest emotions for you (and why that’s actually a sign of trust).
• IEP vs. 504 Plans: A breakdown of how to initiate the process and why documentation is your best friend.
• Sensory Room Advocacy: Why every school should have a dedicated space for decompression and how to ask for it.
• Trusting Your Gut: Why parental intuition is a valid data point in school meetings.

1. Get it in Writing: If you have concerns, document them. Written communication is the first step toward legal protections in the school system.
2. Stay Curious, Not Punitive: When your child has a post-school meltdown, ask: "What was the sensory load today?" rather than "Why are you acting out?"
3. The "8th Sense": Understand Interoception—the ability to feel what’s happening inside the body. Many neurodivergent kids struggle to name their hunger, thirst, or overwhelm until it’s too late.
4. Collaboration is King: Schools work best when parents and teachers partner together. Don't be afraid to share what works at home so it can be integrated into the classroom.

• Hannah Rose Therapy: Psychotherapy for neurodivergent adolescents and adults. Hannahrosetherapy.com
• Avocado Solutions: Hannah’s new app designed to help parents navigate the IEP and 504 process with confidence. Advocado.solutions
• Legal Resources: * Colorado Department of Education
• IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
• Integrated Behavioral Health: Dr. Courtney’s group practice in Colorado, providing evaluations and therapy for neurodivergent hurdles. Integratedbhs.com

Guest: Annie Close, Pediatric Occupational Therapist & Founder of OWN Pediatric Therapy

Potty training is often treated like a high-stakes behavioral exam, but what if the struggle isn't about "willpower" at all? In this episode, Dr. Courtney sits down with pediatric pelvic health expert Annie Close to discuss why so many families hit a wall with potty training. We dive deep into the physiological "puzzle pieces"—like pelvic floor tension and chronic constipation—that can trigger a child’s fight-or-flight response and lead to those frustrating "sneaky" accidents.

• The Mindset Shift: Why we should treat potty training like learning to ride a bike—a complex motor skill that requires patience, not a three-day "miracle."
• The Sneaky Enemy: How chronic constipation (even if your child poops daily) can create "mega-rectums" and "sneaky peas."
• The Physical Signs of Readiness: It’s more than just age. We discuss interoception (the ability to feel what’s happening inside the body) and the ability to pause during play.
• The "Poop Whistle" & Other Tools: Actionable tips to help your child relax their pelvic floor, including deep breathing, party blowers, and proper toilet positioning.
• The Behavioral Bank Account: Dr. Courtney explains how to avoid "withdrawals" (constant commands) and focus on "deposits" (connection and curiosity).
• Identifying the Signs: What "W-sitting" or the "Vincent’s Curtsy" can tell you about your child’s pelvic floor strength and withholding habits.

1. Constipation is a Stop Sign: You cannot successfully potty train a constipated child. Address the gut health and stool consistency first to avoid creating a cycle of painful pooping and withholding.
2. Language Matters: Swap "Go sit on the potty" for curiosity-based scripts like, "Let’s see what your body is trying to tell you."
3. Model the Cues: Talk out loud about your own body’s signals. "My bladder feels full; I’m going to go listen to my body and use the restroom."
4. Reward the Effort, Not the Result: Use sticker charts for sitting and trying rather than the physical act of peeing or pooping, which a child cannot always control.

• OWN Pediatric Therapy: Annie Close’s practice specializing in pediatric bowel, bladder, and pelvic health. https://www.ownpediatrictherapy.com/
• Integrated Behavioral Health: Dr. Courtney’s group practice in Colorado, offering support for behavioral and developmental hurdles. https://www.integratedbhs.com/
• Connect on Social: Follow us for more tips on raising kids these days! @integratedbh

You don't have to be perfect to be a great parent. We are all learning about how to raise kids these days.

Legal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at info@integratedbhs.com to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at any point in your listening or engaging with the content of this podcast, you experience an emergency, please immediately call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

“I looked, and I don’t see a tie.”

For many parents, this sentence is the beginning of a long, frustrating journey of chasing symptoms like fragmented sleep, chronic gas, and delayed motor milestones without ever finding the root cause.

In this episode of Kids These Days, Dr. Courtney Lynn sits down with Dr. Kayla Culbertson, a pediatric Occupational Therapist and specialist in tethered oral ties. Dr. Kayla shares her own "in the trenches" story of how an oral tie release for her son resolved 8 days of constipation and changed his nervous system overnight.

We move beyond the anatomy of a "string under the tongue" to explore the Inside-Out reality: how the fascia in our mouths is connected to a "Frontal Line" that travels all the way to our toes. If the system is tight at the top, the whole baby feels the flood.

In this episode, we discuss:

1. The Frontal Line: Why oral ties cause "fisted" hands, curled toes, and hiked-up shoulders.
2. Function over Anatomy: Why a "posterior" tie can be invisible to the eye but devastating to a baby's regulation.
3. The Vagus Nerve & GI Connection: How the tongue's position at the palate acts as the "off-switch" for the survival brain.
4. Compensations vs. Growth: Why you don’t "grow out" of ties; you simply grow into lifelong workarounds (and the toll that takes).
5. The Therapy Bridge: Why you should never "just cut the tie" without prepping the nervous system first.

Remember: You don't have to be perfect to be a great parent, we are all learning about how to raise Kids These Days.

1. Dr. Kayla's website: https://www.thriveandshinetherapyllc.com/
2. IBH Practice Website: www.integratedbhs.com
3. Newsletter: Sign up for the Integrated Behavioral Health Newsletter for monthly parenting tips and tricks.
4. Instagram: Follow @integratedbh for "Inside-Out" insights.

Legal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at info@integratedbhs.com to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at any point in your listening or engaging with the content of this podcast, you experience an emergency, please immediately call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

Morning stress, "tummy aches," and the desperate plea to stay home—school refusal is one of the most taxing challenges a family system can face. In this episode of Kids These Days, Dr. Courtney Lynn is joined by Dr. Alex Littleton to discuss the "School Refusal Trap." They dive deep into why our well-intentioned efforts to ease a child's distress can inadvertently reinforce their anxiety. Using the framework of the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) protocol, they provide a roadmap for parents to move from "managing" the morning crisis to becoming a "Secure Base" for their child's resilience.

In this episode, we cover:

1. Defining School Refusal: The difference between a "bad morning" and a persistent pattern of avoidance.
2. The Accommodation Trap: How "rescuing" our kids from discomfort tells the brain that school is actually dangerous.
3. The SPACE Protocol: Why treating child anxiety through the parents is often more effective than traditional therapy.
4. Supportive Statements: The two-ingredient formula (Validation + Confidence) that shifts the internal narrative.
5. Red Light vs. Yellow Light: Why negotiating with an anxious child only "speeds up" the anxiety.
6. Home as "School": Practical steps for changing the home environment when a child stays home.
7. The Snowball Effect: Why building resilience in one small area helps the rest of the accommodations "melt away."

Links & Resources:

1. Guest Info: Dr. Alex Littleton's Practice Link
2. Clinical Resource: The SPACE Treatment Official Site
3. Support: Integrated Behavioral Health - Anxiety & School Refusal Support
4. Podcast: Subscribe to Kids These Days on Apple and Spotify.
5. Instagram: Follow @integratedbh for "Inside-Out" parenting insights.
6. Newsletter: Sign up for the Integrated Behavioral Health Newsletter for weekly reflections on building a Secure Base and practical clinical tools.

Legal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at info@integratedbhs.com to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at any point in your listening or engaging with the content of this podcast, you experience an emergency, please immediately call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

“Is this decision going to break my child?”

When a family faces divorce, parents often spiral into intense fear and shame. We worry that our choice to pursue a healthier life will dismantle the Secure Base we’ve worked so hard to build. But as we often say at IBH: our children don’t need us to be perfect; they need us to be regulated, honest, and present.

In this episode of Kids These Days, Dr. Courtney sits down with Dr. Karalynn Royster—child psychologist and creator of the Kids First Co-Parenting System—to move parents from a state of anxiety into a place of empowerment. We explore the "Inside-Out" reality of divorce: how to navigate the "messy middle" of co-parenting, why one secure adult is enough to buffer a child’s stress, and how to tell your kids the truth without "gaslighting" their intuition.

In this episode, we discuss:

1. The "Messy Middle" of Divorce: Why distress is a healthy response to a major life stressor and how to help your kids move through it, not around it.
2. The "Flu Shot" Metaphor: Understanding that short-term discomfort (like a separation) can lead to long-term health and a more regulated household.
3. The Best Way to Tell Your Kids: A step-by-step guide for the "Big Talk"—why you need to be concrete and why it’s never a one-time conversation.
4. The Power of One: The research-backed truth that it only takes one secure, loving adult to buffer the stress of even the most high-conflict transitions.
5. Validation vs. Gaslighting: How to be honest about your own "flooding" and anger without burdening your child with the adult details.
6. The Internal U-Turn for Co-Parents: How to regulate your own nervous system when your ex triggers your "Survival Brain."

Remember: you don't have to be perfect to be a great parent, we are all learning about how to raise kids these days.

Links & Resources:

1. Dr. Karalynn Royster: Discover the Kids First Co-Parenting System and more resources at Dr. Royster’s Website.
2. The Kids First Podcast: Listen to Karalynn’s deep dives into divorce and high-conflict dynamics.
3. The Co-Parenting U-Turn Workbook: A resource for IBH listeners to find their own "Smart Brain" during transitions.
4. Newsletter: Sign up for the Kids These Days Newsletter for weekly reflections on building a Secure Base.
5. Instagram: Follow @integratedbh for daily "Inside-Out" parenting insights.

Legal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at info@integratedbhs.com to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at any point in your listening or engaging with the content of this podcast, you experience an emergency, please immediately call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

“If I just try harder, my child wouldn't need this.” “I can exercise my way out of this depression.”

As parents, the pressure to "optimize" our families often turns us into "Human Doings" who are stuck in a state of high-alert. We treat clinical struggles as personal failures. But what if the path to a healthier family wasn't through perfection, but through balance?

In this episode of Kids These Days, Dr. Courtney sits down with Sara Nudd, PMHNP, founder of The Mama Co-op. Sara shares her incredible "in the trenches" journey from being a 21-year-old mom navigating a medical crisis in the pre-internet 90s to becoming an expert in pediatric and maternal mental health. We dive deep into the science of ADHD medication, the safety of maternal mental health support during pregnancy, and why Good Enough parenting is actually the gold standard.

In this episode, we discuss:

1. The Internet Gap: Navigating medical crises in the 90s vs. the information overload of parenting today.
2. Data vs. Connection: Why your child’s behavior is a more important "data point" than any app or thermometer.
3. The Inhaler Reframe: Why mental health medication is a tool for regulation, much like an asthma inhaler is a tool for breathing.
4. ADHD Simplified: How stimulants balance dopamine and norepinephrine to support (not change) the existing brain structure.
5. Maternal Mental Health & Pregnancy: The evidence-based truth about staying stable on medication while trying to conceive or during pregnancy.
6. The 100% Mistake Guarantee: Why making mistakes—and the repair that follows—is more vital for your child than doing it "perfectly."

Remember: you don't have to be perfect to be a great parent, we are all learning about how to raise kids these days.

Links & Resources:

1. The Mama Co-Op: Learn more about Sara’s practice and parent coaching at The Mama Co-Op Website
2. Postpartum Support International: PSI Website– A vital resource for perinatal mental health.
3. Ollie’s Branch: Support for families navigating congenital heart defects at Ollie’s Branch Website
4. Instagram: Follow @integratedbh for more "Inside-Out" reflections.
5. Work with IBH: Book a complimentary 15-minute consultation at www.integratedbhs.com

Legal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at info@integratedbhs.com to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at any point in your listening or engaging with the content of this podcast, you experience an emergency, please immediately call 911 or go to your local emergency room.