Many children, teens and adults struggle with anxiety at some point in their lives. Anxiety can be very distressing and debilitating. Extreme fear, worry, and anticipatory anxiety can lead children to begin to avoid situations and greatly limit their activities. Anxiety that is left unaddressed can also lead to poor self-esteem, poor self-confidence, and can [...]
Learning to tolerate and regulate one’s negative emotions (e.g. frustration, anger, etc.) is a developmental skill that often takes time and practice to master. If your child is exhibiting significant anger outbursts, or appears to “go from 0 to 60” when frustrated, he or she may benefit from learning more sophisticated self-regulation strategies. Below are [...]
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 [...]
Beginning Kindergarten is an exciting (and sometimes anxiety-provoking!) time for both you and your child. Getting your child started on the right foot is important. A positive experience in Kindergarten can help your child foster healthy self-confidence/self-esteem, develop social, study, and organizational skills, and cultivate a love for learning that will last a lifetime! Many [...]
San Diego Kids First is thrilled to announce that we’re opening new groups for girls aged 12–17! All girls in this age range are welcome, and to create the most supportive and meaningful experience, participants will be placed into smaller groups with peers close in age. Middle and high school can be a challenging time, filled with [...]
Preschool is often a child’s first experience in a semi-structured social environment. Whether a child enters preschool at 2, 3, or 4 years of age, the first school experience is designed to foster the development of cognitive skills, language and communication skills, fine and gross motor skills, and social skills. In addition, children are learning [...]
Dear Parents of Children in Preschool through 6th grade: I wanted to take a moment to highlight the ways I am able to support your child’s development and success. Whether I provide sessions in school or in the clinic, my focus is on addressing each child’s unique needs and helping them thrive both academically and [...]
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 [...]
Are you or your teen feeling overwhelmed by emotions, sensory challenges, or struggling to feel connected to your body? Our occupational therapy services offer a holistic, body-centered approach to help you navigate life's challenges with confidence and ease. What We Offer: - Mindfulness Practices: Reduce stress and cultivate emotional balance. Interoception Skills: Build awareness of [...]
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 [...]
