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Compassionate, Brain-Based Care in Birmingham

Transforming Child Behavioral Issues: The Root Cause Approach

When a child acts out, shuts down, or struggles to learn, they are often signaling a nervous system in distress. At Taproot Therapy Collective, we move beyond simple "behavior management" charts. We help families in Hoover, Vestavia Hills, and Mountain Brook address the neurological, emotional, and biological roots of behavior.

Whether your child is struggling with ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), or Academic Trauma, our integrated approach uses neuroscience to help them find safety, regulation, and success.

The Neuroscience of "Bad Behavior"

Modern imaging (like the qEEG maps we perform in our clinic) shows that behavioral issues are often symptoms of a brain that is stuck in "survival mode."

Why Logic Doesn't Work During a Meltdown

When a child is dysregulated, blood flow shifts away from the Prefrontal Cortex (logic, planning, impulse control) and into the Amygdala (threat detection). Punishment often increases this threat response. Our goal is to bring the "thinking brain" back online through regulation.

Evidence-Based Interventions for Kids

Neurofeedback & Brain Mapping

Dr. Jason Mishalanie uses QEEG technology to visualize your child's brainwaves. We can see if a child's "defiance" is actually a surplus of Theta waves (daydreaming) or High Beta waves (anxiety), and train the brain to balance itself.

Brainspotting for Kids

Children often cannot verbalize their trauma. Brainspotting uses eye positions to access the subcortical brain, allowing kids to process bullying, academic failure, or family stress without needing to "talk it out."

Somatic Regulation

We teach children to notice "the wiggles" or "the heat" in their bodies before an explosion happens. By discharging this physical energy safely, we prevent the behavioral meltdown.

Parent-Child Interaction

Becky Milstead, LPC specializes in helping parents become the "external nervous system" for their child. We teach you how to co-regulate with your child, turning conflict into connection.

When to Seek Professional Help

All children have bad days. However, you should consider a professional evaluation if you see:

  • Intensity: Tantrums that last longer than 20 minutes or involve aggression/destruction.
  • School Refusal: Persistent stomach aches, headaches, or anxiety on Sunday nights or school mornings.
  • Regression: A sudden loss of skills (like bedwetting or baby talk) in an older child.
  • Social Isolation: Withdrawal from friends or inability to read social cues.

Fueling the Developing Brain

A child's brain is metabolically expensive. Deficiencies in Zinc, Magnesium, and Omega-3s can mimic ADHD and ODD symptoms. We partner with Hardy Nutritionals to provide clinical-grade micronutrients for children.

Use Code: TAPROOT for 15% Off

Shop Kids' Nutrition

Meet Our Child & Family Specialists

  • Dr. Jason Mishalanie, PhD, BCN: Specializes in the neurology of behavior, ADHD/Autism differentiation, and Neurofeedback.
  • Robin Taylor, LICSW: Trauma specialist who helps teens and children release "stuck" survival energy through Somatic Experiencing.
  • Becky Milstead, LPC: Expert in family systems, helping parents navigate IEPs, 504 plans, and behavioral contracts at school.

Help Your Child Thrive

You don't have to navigate these challenges alone. Our team is here to support your whole family with compassion and science.

Schedule a Family Consultation