362: Better Behavior Solutions: Brain Breaks, Connection, and Rhythm

In our final episode of 2025, we spoke with Dr. Doug Bolton about innovative solutions for students experiencing dysregulation. We received a lot of feedback on that episode and had already planned a follow-up episode about the shift in perspective we are seeing in student behavior. We are thrilled to welcome him back to learn from him about student behavior and regulation. Join us for another conversation with Dr. Bolton!

Dr. Doug Bolton is a clinical psychologist who has always been drawn to working with kids who experience behavioral problems. Knowing that being in schools gives him the best vantage point from which to help kids, Doug became a school psychologist and later a principal at a therapeutic school. He is currently a consultant working with families to help vulnerable kids become more resilient. From his unique perspective and extensive experience, he wrote the book Untethered.

Show Highlights:

1. Recognizing rhythms to the school year, especially as a new semester begins
2. The correlation between mental health issues and the school year (for students AND teachers)
3. Our system is stressing everyone out because of the over-focus on test scores.
4. A focus on test scores makes us lose the connective tissue of learning and community.
5. Our best learning requires emotional regulation and connection in relationships.
6. What we know about deep learning and where it happens
7. The value of a teacher who is willing to put ego aside and TRY to implement the IEP accommodations for a student
8. Brain breaks are essential for emotional regulation.
9. Music, art, recess, and vocational planning are brain breaks that help decrease stress hormones.
10. Proactive breaks vs. reactive breaks (Not all breaks are equal!)
11. Being curious about misbehavior (“Misbehavior is stress behavior.”)
12. Disruptive students are dysregulated students.
13. Key takeaways from Dr. Bolton about the power of belonging, connected relationships, and emotional regulation
14. Connect with us on social media with your questions for Dr. Bolton for a future episode!

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Doug Bolton: Website and Untethered

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org.

Thank you for listening!

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