S. Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor Shares Tips To Prepare Kids on the Spectrum for School

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - July 14, 2016 - PRLog -- School in South Florida will start in just over a month. And while all parents of young students are typically nervous for the new school year and the academic, social, athletic and disciplinary struggles it can bring, according to Natalia Perez, licensed mental health counselor in the State of Florida and board certified behavior analyst, parents of those children on the autism spectrum face an even steeper hill to climb.

"Kids on the spectrum encounter a larger amount of stress with the unknown and in their minds – unchartered waters," said Perez, LMHC BCBA LPC. "This is because they usually experience high levels of anxiety when they do not know what is expected or when changes in their routine occur."

To assist with the unknown and worry that often comes with a new school year, Perez has outlined a few tips for parents to utilize before the first day of school. They are:

1.    Before focusing on the new school year, take the time to prepare your child for the end of summer. Let them know exactly when school starts by using a visual schedule (i.e. calendar, board on the wall). This is a simple and great way to help decrease potential anxiety.

2.    Bring your student with you to the store to buy school supplies. By allowing him/her to choose supplies, colors, styles, etc. that they like will help enhance their motivation and excitement to start the school year.

3.    Knowing who your child's teacher is can be critical in creating a smooth transition into the new school. As parents, we worry that the teacher won't know our child and/or how to handle them. To help with this, draft a letter to the teacher in which you describe your child and call out his/her strengths and weaknesses.

4.    Most importantly, stay positive! Changes can be difficult and challenging for all kids, let alone children on the spectrum. Then on top of that, we as parents are often just as (if not more) stressed. It's important to remember that our kids can feel and sense what we are feeling; therefore, remind yourself to remain positive…always.

About Natalia Perez, MS, BCBA, LPC, LMHC

Natalia Perez is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She is the founder of Florida Family Support, a therapy practice dedicated to children with autism and/or on the spectrum as well as their families. Natalia founded Florida Family Support in 2015 after years of experience working with children with autism and/or on the spectrum, and realizing that the family is the most integral piece of the support system. Her practice focuses on providing the needed behavioral therapy as well as family support and counseling to ensure they are prepared to handle the stressors and issues that will present. Natalia meets individually with her therapy clients and leads multi-family support groups.

Natalia has worked in the field of mental health counseling for a decade. She received her MS in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University after moving to the United States from Colombia, where she studied psychology. In addition she is a Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina and a Licensed Mental health Counselor in the State of Florida; she is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and an approved CMS Infant Toddler Development Specialist. Natalia speaks both English and Spanish fluently. She lives with her family in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Learn more at www.flfamilysupport.com.

To sign up, visit www.FLFamilySupport.com. Contact Florida Family Support at info@FLfamilysupport.com or 305-305-6367.