Developmental Challenges

Understanding & Managing Impulsive Behaviors, by Marissa Juarez, AMFT

2026-02-06T23:30:12+00:00

Understanding and Managing Impulsive Behaviors, by Marissa Juarez, AMFTAs an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who works with children of all ages, I often meet fun, energetic, and highly active kids who struggle with impulsive behaviors. Impulsive behaviors are quick reactions or decisions that happen before thinking things through. These behaviors can show up at [...]

Understanding & Managing Impulsive Behaviors, by Marissa Juarez, AMFT2026-02-06T23:30:12+00:00

Introducing Dr. Anna Basanty, Ph.D

2024-10-28T18:44:34+00:00

We are excited to welcome Dr. Anna Basanty to our San Diego Kids First team! With extensive training and experience in psychological assessments and therapeutic interventions, Dr. Basanty is passionate about helping children and adolescents (ages 10 - 18) reach their full potential. She specializes in working with youth facing social and emotional challenges, including [...]

Introducing Dr. Anna Basanty, Ph.D2024-10-28T18:44:34+00:00

Psychotherapy or Social Emotional Learning Curriculum (SEL) ? Which is the best choice for my child?

2025-03-03T21:29:50+00:00

We often get phone calls and questions from parents, many of whom are calling to find a therapist for their child. In many cases, after speaking with the family and learning about their child’s challenges, I personally recommend Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum instead. Why? For many reasons- one of which is that Social Emotional [...]

Psychotherapy or Social Emotional Learning Curriculum (SEL) ? Which is the best choice for my child?2025-03-03T21:29:50+00:00

ATTENTION: all SCHOOL-AGED parents/staff/ administrators

2023-02-03T04:06:48+00:00

I’m excited to announce that San Diego Kids First is partnering with local schools to provide targeted services within the community! We greatly enjoy offering these services to school administration, staff, students, and families and welcome you to join us in our mission to maximize the developmental, social, emotional, behavioral, and academic potential of children [...]

ATTENTION: all SCHOOL-AGED parents/staff/ administrators2023-02-03T04:06:48+00:00

New Social Skills Group Training With San Diego Behavior Solutions!

2022-08-26T04:21:49+00:00

We are very excited to announce that we are offering TWO NEW ROUNDS of social skills group training between now and the end of the calendar year!  We are thrilled to be able to bring back this group for your little ones since our last sessions over Summer!  The first group will be for 6-8 [...]

New Social Skills Group Training With San Diego Behavior Solutions!2022-08-26T04:21:49+00:00

Dr. Pontillo’s Article For Francis Parkers Mental Health Pamphlet

2025-08-04T14:33:26+00:00

As a parent, as well as a professional who works with children, adolescents, and their families, I’d like to acknowledge how long, winding and strange the pandemic road has been for all of us! Nearly all of our normal structures and routines have been abolished or transformed into something different—and often, not for the better. [...]

Dr. Pontillo’s Article For Francis Parkers Mental Health Pamphlet2025-08-04T14:33:26+00:00

New Services!

2021-04-05T20:03:46+00:00

Great News! We've added to our list of services! We now offer four different levels of assessments!    I am so grateful to have such an amazing group of clinicians here at San Diego Kids First. Your child will be in great hands with our spectacular professionals! All assessments will be conducted by either Dr. [...]

New Services!2021-04-05T20:03:46+00:00

Introducing San Diego Behavior Solutions!!

2021-04-05T19:47:12+00:00

I have some very exciting news to share with you all! Anna Williams and I have just launched our new business, San Diego Behavior Solutions! Check out our website here  Anna has been a clinician at San Diego First for quite some time now. Together, we noticed a gap in the mental health field and [...]

Introducing San Diego Behavior Solutions!!2021-04-05T19:47:12+00:00

Parents ‘Gifting’ their Children the Opportunity to be successful in General Education Classrooms!!

2025-08-04T14:34:26+00:00

Hello! This last October, thanks to a parent sponsor (whose son has autism spectrum spectrum disorder) I had an amazing time presenting to teachers at their private school about the "ABCs of ASD" which is a new teacher training program I developed especially for teachers of students with ASD in a general education preschool or elementary/middle school. [...]

Parents ‘Gifting’ their Children the Opportunity to be successful in General Education Classrooms!!2025-08-04T14:34:26+00:00

Tips for the Holidays for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Families

2014-12-14T12:20:40+00:00

 I know from talking to a lot of parents in my practice that the holidays can be exceptionally stressful for a child on the spectrum. And so here are my tips on how to successfully navigate the holidays with your special needs child!! (PLEASE NOTE - I have included some exceptional suggestions I have received from parents on what's [...]

Tips for the Holidays for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Families2014-12-14T12:20:40+00:00
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