Transforming Communities
Leo, who is four years old, used to act out in group situations. He had a hard time transitioning from one activity to the next without having a meltdown. Eventually, he was diagnosed with a mild form of autism. But thanks to ECS Para Las Familias (PLF), Leo and his mother Evelynn started behavioral health services.
ECS Para Las Familias provides a range of bilingual early childhood mental health services to low-income children age 18 months to age 5. Behavior problems can arise due to trauma such as illness, accidents, neglect, domestic violence and child abuse. The program’s bilingual therapists provide screening, assessment, family and group therapy, school observation, teacher/provider consultation and parenting groups at PLF, in the child’s home or classroom.
In the beginning, the process was very stressful, Evelynn shared with GB Magazine. “I was blaming myself. I thought it was something I did that caused all of this. I didn’t understand.” Leo, the youngest of five children, was Evelynn’s first experience with a child on the spectrum. “You have a child, and everything is perfect,” Evelynn shared. “And then, you learn he is on the spectrum. You don’t really know what the spectrum is. I was nervous and afraid. I didn’t know what to expect.” But after a few sessions, Evelynn began to better understand her son. As she came to realize, she just needed to learn how to communicate in a new way.
A year later, the benefits are noticeable for Evelynn. “PLF showed me that it’s going to be okay,” Evelynn exclaimed. Leo is having fewer temper tantrums, and Evelynn is feeling more empowered as his mother. “PLF helped fix my routine and way of speaking to help Leo,” she said. “It was a change, but a change for the better.”
When COVID-19 struck, Evelynn and Leo were a few months into their sessions. But fortunately, they continued to receive services via telehealth which included play therapy kits that included unassuming items and are used during behavioral health sessions to reinforce feelings of safety and security.
If you would like to learn more, or to support Episcopal Community Services, please visit www.ecscalifornia.org.