Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a common condition which manifests prior to the age of 7. It is neurologically-based in that studies suggest ADHD involves a deficiency in the part of the brain that helps us to sustain focus, concentrate, filter-out extraneous information, organize, plan, understand others’ actions, and inhibit impulses. Although there [...]
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder which is characterized by impairments in social functioning, communication and by restricted and/or repetitive behaviors. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) which was published in 2013 outlined three subcategories of ASD, ranging from Severity level 1 (requiring support), level 2 (requiring substantial support), and level [...]
We are thrilled to share a huge round of applause for Heidi Joachims, OT, OTR/L, for her outstanding parent presentation last Friday at a local elementary school! Heidi captivated an audience of over 20 engaged parents, diving into the fascinating world of regulation from an occupational therapist’s perspective. Her insightful guidance and practical tips empowered [...]
As students navigate adolescence, school pressures can take a toll on their well-being. At San Diego Kids First, Dr. Anna Basanty provides specialized support to help teens manage stress, build resilience, and develop coping skills. Through compassionate, evidence-based counseling, she empowers teens to thrive academically and emotionally. Is Your Teen Feeling Overwhelmed by Schoolwork? The [...]
Due to the high demand for our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) services and our commitment to making them widely accessible, we’re excited to expand our availability by offering additional low-fee, in-office SEL sessions. We are pleased to expand our low-fee Social Emotional Learning (SEL) sessions with Jenaya Vasquez, B.A., under the supervision of our Director [...]
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 [...]
Dear SDKF families, colleagues, and friends, Here at SDKF, my colleagues and I are often asked for tools and strategies on how to help our children (or teens) regulate their emotions. Our wonderful occupational therapist, Dr, Heidi Joachims “Dr. Jo” has written an exceptional article on co-regulation, or the ability for a parent, guardian, teacher [...]
If you’re parenting a toddler, you know firsthand that transitions can be some of the hardest parts of your day and often lead to tantrums. Take a look below to see what techniques our early childhood mental health specialists recommend trying at home! Here are five favorite preventative, aka “let’s try to get ahead [...]
At San Diego Kids First, we are committed to supporting every child's unique developmental journey. By introducing occupational therapy services, we aim to be as helpful as possible to parents and caregivers by providing the resources and support needed to ensure the best outcomes for your children. We are excited to announce that we are [...]
WE ARE EXCITED TO SHARE WE ARE NOW OFFERING A NEW SERVICE AT SAN DIEGO BEHAVIOR SOLUTIONS !! IN-HOME EXPOSURE RESPONSE PREVENTION (ERP) treatment for children and adolescents with OCD ! I have some very exciting news to share with you all! We have just launched a new therapeutic in-home service specifically designed to help [...]
