Tamyra Cooper MSW, LCSW

03/12/2026

An essential resource for caregivers.

02/25/2026

02/23/2026

Super helpful visual!

02/18/2026

ACES is closed due to a lovely winter storm
⛈️
Stay safe and warm!

02/17/2026

The teenage years can feel confusing for both young people and the adults who love them. If your teen seems bigger in emotions, later to sleep, or drawn to risk and independence, you’re not doing anything wrong — you’re seeing a brain in development.

This stage is not about pushing you away, it’s about growing up. Your steady presence, calm boundaries, and understanding of what’s happening beneath the behaviour matter more than ever.

Save this as a reminder that development is not defiance — it’s growth in progress.

02/07/2026

Lots to like about this visual

When a young person is in meltdown, their nervous system has moved into survival mode.
This means the thinking, reasoning, language-based parts of the brain are offline.

So phrases like:
“Calm down.”
“You don’t need to be upset.”
“Use your words.”
or “Stop it.”
aren’t just unhelpful — they can intensify the overwhelm.

Not because the child is choosing not to listen —
but because they are not able to in that moment.

This post breaks down what not to say at each stage of the meltdown cycle:

• Escalation
• Crisis (the peak)
• Recovery (the Blue Phase)

Because the timing of our response matters just as much as the words we use.

If you want a deeper understanding of what’s happening in the brain during these stages — and how to support each phase with calm, connection and safety — you’ll find the full Timeline of a Meltdown resource via link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

FOLLOW for our next post - What to Say During a Meltdown

02/03/2026

Not all avoidance is defiance. Sometimes it’s anxiety, overwhelm, and a deep need for autonomy.

Children with a PDA profile often experience everyday demands as a threat to their sense of control and safety. Their responses can look puzzling on the surface, but underneath is a nervous system trying to cope.

Today’s visual shares some common signs of PDA to help you spot patterns with compassion, not judgement. Understanding is the first step toward support.

01/22/2026

Love this for so many different reasons :)

01/17/2026

On sorrowful days, many parents and caregivers are searching for ways to support their children as they hear about violence and traumatic events in the news. We’ve gathered trusted guidance and reputable resources to help you have age-appropriate, supportive conversations that can reduce fear and build a sense of safety. Visit our website to read Talking With Children About Violence in the News: Guidance for Parents and Caregivers and find tools to support your family during difficult times: https://namimn.org/talking-with-children-about-violence-in-the-news-guidance-for-parents-and-caregivers/

Via Early Risers Podcast

01/16/2026

01/16/2026