Why Kids Act Out and What Their Nervous System is Trying to Tell You with Kim Barthel

Why do some kids act out, melt down, or shut down—no matter how consistent or calm we are? In this powerful episode, I’m joined by internationally respected occupational therapist Kim Barthel, who helps us unpack the neuroscience of behavior. We talk about how trauma affects student behavior, what’s really happening when kids dysregulate, and why traditional behavior plans often miss the mark for the kids who need our help the most. If you’ve ever felt helpless in the face of a child’s big emotions—or exhausted from trying to manage it all—this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, validated, and better equipped to support every learner in your room. **In this episode, we'll talk about:** - How trauma affects student behavior—and what we often miss - Why some kids explode, while others shut down completely - What “co-regulation” looks like in real-life classrooms - How your own nervous system impacts your students - What you can do tomorrow to create more safety and connection **Show Links** Kim's Course: Trauma Sensitive Education (Use MALIA20 for 20%off!) Join Malia on Instagram. Become a Science of Reading Formula member! **Rate, Review, and Follow** If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode! While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!