What Looks Like Misbehavior Might Be Something Else Entirely, with Lisa ShankenWhat if the behavior you're seeing isn't defiance, laziness, or a phase, but a sign of something happening underneath?  I'm Dr. Shelly Mahon, your host. In this episode we sit down with Lisa Shanken, executive functioning coach and founder of Tri-Wellness, to unpack what's really going on for kids who struggle with focus, follow-through, emotional regulation, and independence, including neurodivergent kids and those navigating ADHD, autism, anxiety, and more.Lisa brings over two decades of experience as a health counselor, personal trainer, yoga instructor, and executive functioning coach, and she breaks down how working memory, impulse control, and cognitive flexibility show up in daily life. She also explains why the mind-body connection, emotional regulation, and firm-but-loving boundaries matter just as much as any system or chart. In This Episode, We CoverThe three tenets of executive functioning: Working memory, impulse control, and cognitive flexibilityHow to tell the difference between a real deficit and “typical” kid behaviorThe connection between executive functioning and mental health: ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depressionThe impact of screens and phones on confidence, social skills, and concentrationWhen to seek a neuropsych evaluationThe role of emotional regulation in daily functioning, and why sitting with discomfort mattersHow to act from a loving place while still holding firm boundariesThe mind-body connection: how food, sleep, movement, and socialization shape behaviorBuilding independence in kids by giving them real responsibilityA Line Worth Remembering“Giving a child responsibilities leads to independence. If you can follow through with the responsibilities I give you, then I trust you to make some of your own decisions. Start small and build on this.”Resources Mentioned & Related ReadingTri-Wellness: Lisa Shanken's practiceSocial Bloom & Love Bloom: Lisa's programs for building social confidence and relationships in neurodivergent-friendly environmentsUnderstood.org: Resources on ADHD, learning differences, and neurodiversityCHADD: Children and Adults with ADHDChild Mind Institute: Anxiety, emotional regulation, and guidance on neuropsych evaluationsSmart but Scattered by Peg Dawson & Richard Guare: Executive functioning basics for parentsThe Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline by Daniel Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson: emotional regulation and boundary-settingCommon Sense Media: Screen time guidance by age