The Early Roots Podcast
Episodes
We Need More Play!
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Todays episode is all about different types of play and how they impact development. Our brains are wired to learn through play. It is one of the most...
Parenting Styles
11 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is all about parenting styles. Specifically the four original styles developed by Dr. Baumrind: authoritative, authoritarian, per...
Selective Mutism
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is all about the DSM diagnosis Selective Mutism. This is a condition I have seen many times in the kids in the office. We will co...
Trichotillomania Hair Pulling
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is all about Trichotillomania which is a mental health disorder characterized by recurrent hair pulling. I see a LOT of kids with...
Fear Paralysis Reflex
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is all about the Fear Paralysis Reflex and the theories behind it. We dive into many of the intricate ways that the body responds...
Delayed Cord Clamping: 5 Minutes for Your Baby's Brain
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is all about delayed cord clamping. That is the practice of waiting to cut a baby's cord for several minutes after birth. Th...
The 101 of Primitive Reflexes
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is a mini crash course on primitive reflexes. It covers what they are, why they are important, and how they connect to developmen...
Cesareans and Their Link to ADHD and ASD
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Last month I was invited to speak on a documentary about c-sections in the U.S. The film makers specifically asked me to speak on the long-term neurol...
Attachment
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Todays episode is all about attachment and its profound impact on human development. We are looking at how early relationships shape our understanding...
Hyperactivity
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today episode is all about hyperactivity. This is a common complaint from the parents that walk through my doors. The term hyperactivity encompasses a...
Adoption and Early Trauma
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is all about adoption. I work with a lot of adopted kids and they each come with their own considerations. Many social, emotional...
My Journey Through NDD Therapy
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is all about my journey through NDD therapy as a teen. I'm not sure if I have mentioned it in previous episodes but before I...
Dyslexia: More than a Brain Problem
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is all about dyslexia! This episode covers a 2001 study that evaluated the physical development of children with dyslexia and fou...
Common Primitive Reflexes Explained
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode takes a look at some of the most common retained primitive reflexes that I see. I discuss the Moro, ATNR, STNR, Spinal Galant and...
ADHD: An Epidemic of Overdiagnosis?
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is all about ADHD. Specifically the question of whether or not ADHD is being over diagnosed. This episode covers a brief history of ...
But I thought it was genetic?
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is all about genetics. When I talk about the connection between primitive reflexes, poor brain development and diagnoses like ADHD a...
The History and Research on Primitive Reflexes
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is all about the history and current research on primitive reflexes. I also cover the three main organizations that offer training o...
FAQ: Can You Help My Child?
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is going to cover one of my most frequently asked question which is: Can you help my child? This episode is going to go over the his...
Early Development Special Series: Immediate Postpartum Period
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is the final part of our mini series on early development. This episode looks at the immediate postpartum period, the few hours afte...
Early Development Special Series: Labor and Birth
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second episode in our special series on early brain development. Today we are looking at labor and birth and how this process affects our ...
Early Development Special Series: Conception and Pregnancy
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is the first episode in a special series on early development. This series is looking at the neurological development that is happening during pr...
Brain Development Crash Course
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a crash course in brain development. We dive into how the brain develops and how early experiences change the trajectory of brain func...
Sensory Processing Problems
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is all about sensory processing problems! We are diving into the normal 5 senses: light, sound, touch, taste and smell. We are al...
Treating Retained Primitive Reflexes
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about treating primitive reflexes. I am very excited that awareness about primitive reflexes has exploded over the last few years....
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and the Anxiety Umbrella
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the umbrella of anxiety related disorders. I work with a lot of kids who have OCD ty...
Preventing Developmental Delays
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about preventing retained reflexes and developmental dealys. It builds on a previous episode about complications and risk factors ...
Tough Dads and Sensitive Kids
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about the relationship between tough dads and sensitive kids. I work with a lot of highly sensitive and emotionally immature child...
An ADHD Special
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is an ADHD special! We take an in-depth look at what it is, how the ADHD brain works and the different neurological and physiological sys...
The Eyes: The Window to the Brain
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about visual development and how kids learn how to control their eyes. Pretty much all of the kids I work with who struggle in sch...
The Body's "Sixth Sense" the Vestibular System
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about the vestibular system which is arguably our body's most important sensory system. Vestibular dysfunction is very common...
Academic Problems and the ATNR
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we take a look at the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex and its contribution to academic delays. This reflex is very common in children w...
Complications and Risk Factors for Developmental Delays
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are looking at the risk factors that contribute to retained primitive reflexes and developmental delays. We are going to dive deep ...
The Startle Reflex and Big Emotions
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are taking a deep dive into the Moro reflex. This is the infant version of our fight-or-flight response and when it is present in o...
Your Child's Brain on Primitive Reflexes
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we dive into the topic of retained primitive reflexes. Specifically, what they are, how they impact long term brain development and ho...