The Brain Foundation Every Parent Should Understand | Episode 78 with Collin McConnell

Collin McConnell is a Speech-Language Pathologist who focuses on social-emotional learning, sensory integration, and brain integration. In this conversation, we break down how retained primitive reflexes, nervous system dysregulation, and early life stressors—like birth trauma, C-sections, and gut issues—can contribute to behaviors often labeled as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, and defiance. Collin explains her whole-child approach, which combines intentional movement, rhythm and timing work, sensory integration tools, and cognitive behavioral strategies to strengthen the brain’s foundation rather than just address surface-level symptoms.We also dive into what this means for parents navigating strong-willed kids, sensory sensitivities, school struggles, and daily power battles. We talk about fight-or-flight responses, why some kids seem “overreactive,” and how understanding your child’s nervous system can shift the way you respond in hard moments. This is a validating, practical conversation about lowering shame, preserving your relationship with your child, and investing early in social-emotional skills that pay off for a lifetime.If you’re interested in learning more about Collin's work, you can visit her website, https://www.mobilekidcompany.com/, and follow on Instagram @mobilekid_co, for additional information and resources. Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works.Follow The Little Brain CampaignInstagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelittlebraincampaign/⁠