The Baffling Behavior Show: {BONUS} Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior – Webinar Replay

Host: Robyn Gobbel
Release Date: February 28, 2025

Introduction to the Webinar

In this bonus episode of The Baffling Behavior Show, renowned children's mental health expert Robyn Gobbel presents the audio replay of her comprehensive webinar, "Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior." Originally delivered live in February 2025, the webinar delves deep into understanding and addressing the most perplexing behaviors exhibited by children with vulnerable nervous systems. Designed for parents, educators, therapists, and other professionals, this session offers transformative insights and practical tools to foster connection, regulation, and safety within families and support systems.

Understanding the Purpose and Audience

Robyn Gobbel begins by highlighting the overwhelming nature of working with families experiencing high levels of dysregulation and baffling behaviors in children. She introduces a free audio training series, Making Sense of Baffling Behaviors, aimed at reducing burnout and enhancing effectiveness for both parents and professionals. With over 4,000 registrants, the immense interest underscores the critical need for accessible resources in this field.

Notable Quote:
"If you join this training, you'll also get access to a discussion forum... There's really no reason not to sign up." [00:00]

Robyn Gobbel's Journey and Expertise

Robyn shares her extensive background, including founding the Central Texas Attachment and Trauma Center and her transition to a broader educational role post-2019 relocation to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her pivot to online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic expanded her reach, allowing her to impact thousands globally. Her work is underpinned by three pillars:

1. Neurobiology of Behavior: Exploring the scientific underpinnings of children's behaviors.
2. Practical Tools: Equipping parents and professionals with strategies to support regulation and connection.
3. Self-Exploration: Encouraging personal growth and regulation to effectively apply learned tools.

Notable Quote:
"Knowing what to do and actually doing it are not even close to the same thing." [13:43]

Core Concepts Explored in the Webinar

1. The Neurobiology of Behavior

Robyn emphasizes that understanding behavior through the nervous system is pivotal. Traditional behavior management techniques like rewards and punishments often fail because they don't address the underlying neural mechanisms.

Key Points:

• Behavior as a Reflection of the Nervous System: Behaviors are outward manifestations of internal states.
• Relational Neuroscience: Provides a framework for understanding how behaviors emerge from neurobiological processes.
• Polyvagal Theory: Introduced by Dr. Stephen Porges, this theory explains how the autonomic nervous system influences social behavior and emotional regulation.

Notable Quote:
"Behaviors are just what we see on the outside that gives us some cues and clues about what might be going on on the inside." [35:35]

2. The Autonomic Nervous System

A thorough breakdown of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is provided, highlighting its two primary branches:

• Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): Acts as the accelerator, generating energy and arousal.
• Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS): Serves as the brake, calming and regulating energy levels.

Key Points:

• Sympathetic Activation: Associated with fight-or-flight responses, but also necessary for activities requiring energy, like exercising.
• Parasympathetic Activation: Includes both a gentle brake (promoting relaxation) and an emergency brake (leading to collapse or deep rest).

Notable Quote:
"Regulation is keeping the accelerator and the brakes of energy and arousal in balance." [38:58]

3. Neuroception and Felt Safety

Drawing from Dr. Porges' concept of neuroception, Robyn explains how our nervous system constantly assesses safety:

• Neuroception: The subconscious detection of safety or danger, occurring up to four times per second.
• Felt Safety: A subjective experience influenced by internal states, environmental cues, and caregiver interactions.

Key Points:

• Tri-layered Assessment: Inside (personal bodily states), outside (environment), and between (interactions with others).
• Impact on Behavior: A sense of safety fosters connection and regulation, while perceived danger triggers protective behaviors.

Notable Quote:
"Connection is a biological imperative." [35:35]

4. Regulation, Connection, and Felt Safety

These three elements form the cornerstone of effective behavior management:

• Regulation: The ability to move smoothly between states of arousal and calm, maintaining balance within the ANS.
• Connection: Building meaningful and secure relationships that provide emotional support and stability.
• Felt Safety: Creating environments where children feel secure, enabling them to engage and thrive.

Key Points:

• Attachment Cycle: The process through which caregivers respond to a child's needs, fostering regulation and security.
• Window of Tolerance: The optimal zone where individuals can manage stress without becoming overwhelmed or shutting down.

Notable Quote:
"Regulated, connected kids who feel safe and know what to do, behave well or do well." [35:08]

Practical Tools and Strategies

Robyn offers a plethora of tools designed to support the three pillars:

• Co-Regulation Techniques: Methods for parents and professionals to help children manage their emotional states.
• Behavioral Insights: Understanding the root causes of behaviors to address them effectively.
• Resource Accessibility: Encouraging participants to download and utilize available materials from her website for ongoing support.

Notable Quote:
"When we have a nice wide window of tolerance, our sympathetic accelerator and our parasympathetic brake moves back and forth and it balances out the energy and arousal of our autonomic nervous system." [52:55]

Conclusion and Next Steps

Robyn concludes the webinar by emphasizing the importance of shifting paradigms from traditional behavior management to a neurobiological understanding. This transformation not only offers clarity and reduces confusion but also fosters deeper connections and regulation within families and professional relationships.

Call to Action:

• Books and Resources: Promote her book Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors and other free resources available on her website.
• Online Community: Encourage joining her supportive online community for continuous education and connection.
• Professional Training: Introduce her training program, Being With, aimed at enhancing professionals' capacity to support families effectively.

Notable Quote:
"Connection is a biological imperative... our nervous system experiences that as a cue of danger, and we shift into protection mode." [52:55]

Additional Resources

Robyn Gobbel offers numerous resources to complement the webinar, including:

• Books: Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors available in various formats.
• Online Community: Access to a supportive network with over 500 members.
• Workbooks: Owl, Watchdog, and Possum Workbook to help children understand and manage their emotions.
• Training Programs: Specialized courses for professionals to deepen their understanding and skills.

For more information and to access these resources, visit robingobel.com or email Robyn directly at @robingobel.com.

Final Thoughts

This webinar replay serves as a vital resource for anyone involved in supporting children with complex behaviors. By focusing on the nervous system and understanding the neurobiological foundations of behavior, Robyn Gobbel provides actionable insights that can transform both personal and professional approaches to parenting and education. Embracing these concepts fosters a more compassionate, connected, and regulated environment, ultimately enhancing the well-being and development of children with vulnerable nervous systems.

End of Summary