Dr. Maria Rheaume, Licensed Psychologist

01/21/2026

I like this :)

01/15/2026

Real talk: I’ve slipped into perfectionist habits again. I caught myself putting way too much much pressure on myself to “do it all.” Who else struggles with this? More below ⬇️

01/14/2026

The superpowers of a mother’s body. Credit: Instgram: we.have.kids.now

01/12/2026

Last minute opening for an assessment this week! Appointment for tomorrow or Thursday morning. First dibs to anyone already scheduled or on the list. Call 518-834-0200. Self-pay. Autism, developmental, psychological.

01/12/2026

Go to my original post and read the caption to lean deeper into this

01/11/2026

👏🏼 I completely agree. Very well stated, Autism Out Loud

01/09/2026

Post credit: Art of Parenteen

Safety in reaction is what invites honesty.💛

01/09/2026

Connection before correction. Does the child feel safe and stress-free? Ensure that the expectations are not above their abilities.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for a child is pause and really see them. Behaviour is often the language of stress, fear, and unmet needs. When a child feels unsafe, overwhelmed, or pushed beyond their current skills, their nervous system goes into survival mode. Learning, self-control, and calm thinking simply are not available then.

Children do well when they can. When they cannot, it is usually because something around them is making things feel too hard. Sensory overload, big emotions, inconsistent adult responses, or a lack of connection can all show up as behaviour that looks challenging on the surface. Underneath, it is a child asking for help.

Repeated behaviour is not defiance. It is information. It tells us what is not working yet. Changing the environment is not giving in. It is choosing understanding, safety, and growth. And connection before correction is often where real change begins.

Behaviour changes when children feel safe, supported, and understood.

Comment CHILD and we will send you a message with a link to a free printable PDF of this resource.

01/09/2026

01/07/2026

Helpful for their development… and your heart!

01/05/2026

It’s refreshing to be back in the office after the holidays. I get to enjoy some beautiful artwork from my play therapy clients 😍

01/02/2026