9 results for author: Dr_Swaggerty-Valdes

Postpartum Support in Miami

In addition to co-leading the Footsteps support group at Magnolia Birth House, I completed a course sponsored by Postpartum Support International and 2020 Mom that ran through the fall and winter. The course is fantastic as it teaches the professional about various perinatal issues including: How to diagnose and treat perinatal mood and anxiety disorders The impact on fathers and how fathers can also suffer from depression and anxiety The interplay of other mental health issues and substance abuse The importance of social support The role of culture The most important thing I have learned is how prevalent these problems are in ...

A Therapist’s Perspective on Transcendental Meditation

The type of therapy I offer is in-depth and often long-term. I believe lasting gains can only come from a careful examination of one's life and that takes time. That being said, sometimes I find that even when my patients come to the "end" of their treatment because they have worked through what brought them to me, they are better but still stressed. I'm talking about the everyday stress that we all have in some form...work, family, kids, parents, relationships. Most of us have schedules that are jam packed that leave little time to relax. This lack of rest and relaxation over time can beat us down. I have switched here from "they" to "us" because, as ...

North Miami Postpartum Support Group

Regardless of how prepared a woman is or how much she looked forward to her pregnancy and her baby's birth, the perinatal period may include some unexpected "highs" and "lows." Footsteps is a weekly postpartum support group offered on Thursdays at the Magnolia Birth House in North Miami Beach. This is an opportunity for moms to gather with each other in a supportive environment and share their stories and struggles. The group is facilitated by North Miami Psychologist Nicole Swaggerty-Valdes, Ph.D. and Magnolia Birth House and The Gathering Place co-creator Tamara Taitt, M.S., LMFT and operates under a peer support model. Babies in arms are ...

Dr. Sanderson Presenting on Autism at Miami Country Day School

This fall, Dr. Sanderson presented a two-part series on Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Classroom to the Lower School teachers and administrators of Miami Country Day School. In part one, she did a terrific job of training the teachers to identify warning signs of Autism in their students. In part two, she provided examples of problems behaviors and common challenges with Autism and taught strategies to address them. As usual, Dr. Sanderson gave it her all and the staff appreciated it. It was a pleasure working with teachers who show this level of caring for their students.

Autism Treatment Lecture at Nova Southeastern University

New research provides compelling evidence that if Autism Spectrum Disorder is diagnosed and treated early, children can make life-changing gains. Parents are put in the difficult position of determining which Autism treatment is best for their child. With so many treatments out there, it is difficult to know which road to take. On Friday, 5/13, Dr. Sanderson gave a continuing education lecture for psychologists at Nova Southeastern University entitled, "Evidence-Based Practices for Treatment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children." She did a terrific job explaining best practice treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder ...

Autism Signs in Toddlers: What To Look For

Trained and experienced professionals can often diagnose Autism between 18 and 24 months, and sometimes even earlier, yet the average age that a child in the U.S. receives an Autism diagnosis is four-and-a-half years old. This is often because many parents and professionals miss the early signs of Autism. Although it’s never too late to begin treatment and see some progress, a child’s best opportunity to learn critical developmental skills, including language, socialization, and problem solving is during the infant and toddler years. This relates to brain plasticity, or the brain’s ability to strengthen certain pathways, reorganize itself, or ...

We Now Accept The Gardiner Scholarship (PLSA)!

The Autism Clinic at Nicole Valdes, Ph.D. and Associates, P.A. is proud to announce that we are now providers for the The Gardiner Scholarship, formerly called the Personal Learning Scholarship Account (PLSA). This is a scholarship fund for special needs similar to the McKay scholarship but it only requires a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. You do not need to have had an IEP in the public school system to receive it. Ages three through 12th grade are eligible and other diagnoses are eligible. Read more about this fantastic resource at:  https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-parents/special-needs/how-the-scholarship-works/

Miami Psychiatrist Using DNA Info to Prescribe Medication

In the course of working with patients in therapy, I sometimes encourage them to also see a Psychiatrist for medication. I have observed that many patients are fearful of medication because of negative past experiences, the most common being trying an antidepressant once and having horrible side effects. Fortunately, there is now a way to choose an antidepressant based on one’s body chemistry to minimize the risk of side effects and increase efficacy. Dr. Melissa Jackson, a Psychiatrist in Midtown Miami, is using groundbreaking medical technology to help choose the best combination of medications for her patients. The Genecept Assay is a genetic ...

Miami Autism Expert Dr. Jenn Sanderson

Hello and welcome! Thank you, Dr. Nicole Valdes for the gracious introduction. I’m happy to have recently joined Dr. Valdes in her Miami practice, where I focus primarily on providing diagnostic assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). My clinical and research experience and training have included individuals of all ages primarily with ASD and developmental disabilities, but have also included children and adults with related behavioral, social emotional, and learning challenges. So many I’ve met along this journey have inspired me in ways that are difficult to put into words. My own mentors and colleagues have also challenged and ...