Mayo Clinic Kids Podcast Featuring Brain Balance Chief Programs Officer Dr. Rebecca Jackson

Key points include:

• Pandemic Impacts: School closures, remote learning, and reduced sensory input caused developmental delays in areas like reading, emotional regulation, and social skills. Increased screen time also contributed to behavioral challenges.
• Developmental Milestones: Healthy development requires steady progress, sensory variety, physical activity, and routine. The pandemic’s disruptions amplified existing challenges and created gaps in foundational skills.
• Parental Support Strategies: Dr. Jackson highlights the importance of maintaining healthy routines, balancing new sensory experiences with familiar ones, and integrating physical activity into daily life. She also encourages reducing screen time and fostering open communication with children.
• Hope Through Neuroplasticity: The brain’s ability to change means that children can recover developmental ground with intentional, structured support at home and school. Early assessments and targeted interventions can make a significant difference.

Dr. Jackson concludes by empowering parents to trust their instincts and take proactive steps to help their children thrive, emphasizing that even without a formal diagnosis, every challenge is valid and manageable. For more insights, listeners are encouraged to explore her book, Back on Track.