272: What Does Anger Tell Us?, with Dr. Lori Desautels
Jul 11, 2024
auto_awesome
In this insightful conversation, Dr. Lori Desautels, an expert in applied educational neuroscience, unpacks the complexities of anger in neurodivergent children. She explains how anger often stems from a dysregulated nervous system and underlying emotions like fear and anxiety. Discover practical strategies for adult emotional regulation and the importance of grounding techniques. Dr. Desautels highlights the benefits of predictable routines and calming practices, empowering parents and educators to nurture deeper connections and equip children with self-regulation skills.
Anger often masks deeper emotions like fear and anxiety, indicating an overwhelmed nervous system that needs understanding and support.
Effective behavior management involves adults' self-awareness and responses, promoting connection rather than escalating conflicts in emotional situations.
Deep dives
Understanding Anger as a Signal
Anger often originates from a nervous system that is overwhelmed and struggling to cope with stressors, leading to misunderstandings about the root causes of this emotion. Beneath anger, one can find deeper sensations and feelings such as anxiety and fear, which reflect a state of dysregulation in the body. Recognizing that anger may serve as a protective mechanism can help adults respond more effectively to children expressing this emotion. By acknowledging anger as a signal rather than a stand-alone issue, caregivers can approach the situation with curiosity and a desire to understand the underlying factors at play.
The Role of Adults in Managing Behaviors
Behavior management is primarily about the adults’ responses rather than the children’s actions, emphasizing the need for self-awareness in handling emotional situations. Parents and caregivers often escalate tensions without realizing it, especially when they are emotionally triggered themselves. Acknowledging one's own emotional state allows for more measured responses during conflicts, fostering better connections through those challenging moments. Integrating grounding techniques such as intentional breathing or movement can help adults stabilize their responses and create a calmer environment for children.
Integrating Practices for Emotional Regulation
Establishing routines and rituals for emotional regulation can significantly benefit both children and adults in navigating their emotional landscapes. These practices should be integrated into everyday life rather than saved for crisis moments, as familiarity with grounding techniques can improve accessibility when faced with stress. Activities that encourage body awareness, like movement or breathing exercises, can help children connect with their emotional states and recognize their signals. By embedding such practices into daily routines, both educators and parents create a supportive structure that prepares everyone for emotional challenges.
Do you often find yourself misinterpreting anger in your neurodivergent child, escalating situations unintentionally? Join me and Dr. Lori Desautels as we dive deep into understanding anger and what it truly signifies. Dr. Desautels, an expert in applied educational neuroscience, explains that anger often stems from a dysregulated nervous system, feeling overwhelmed, and other underlying emotions like fear and anxiety. She emphasizes that managing behavior isn't about the kids but about us as adults and how we respond.
“Sometimes, the bodyguard of fear is anger.” — Dr. Lori
Throughout the episode, you'll discover practical strategies for grounding yourself and your children, transitioning away from mere behavior management to nurturing connection and understanding. Dr. Desautels reveals the power of predictable routines and teaches you how to integrate calming practices into daily life and classroom environments. You'll walk away with valuable insights on teaching kids to understand their bodies' signals, equipping them with lifelong tools for self-regulation. Don't miss this enlightening conversation — it will transform how you approach and understand the complexities of parenting neurodivergent kids.