Behavioral Challenges – San Diego Kids First

Does your child look lost on the playground? Does he or she have difficulty playing with other children? How occupational therapy can help.

Does your child look lost on the playground? Does he or she have difficulty playing with other children? How occupational therapy can help.

sdkf2013-07-11T10:35:39+00:00

(Many thanks to my colleague Andrea De Marino, MHS, OTR/L for this article. For more about Andrea or occupational therapy visit her website at www.sensorysolutionsinc.com - Dr. Deb) Some children have a difficult time interpreting sensory information from their environments, whether it be from the sense of touch (tactile input), movement (vestibular input), [...]

Does your child look lost on the playground? Does he or she have difficulty playing with other children? How occupational therapy can help.sdkf2013-07-11T10:35:39+00:00

Dr. Pontillo Featured on ParentSavers National Podcast: Potty Training: Naptime and Nighttime: Tips for Parents!

Dr. Pontillo Featured on ParentSavers National Podcast: Potty Training: Naptime and Nighttime: Tips for Parents!

sdkf2013-07-18T13:06:33+00:00

Last month I had the great pleasure of being invited to be a featured expert on Parent Savers national podcast on nighttime potty training (Scroll down to the bottom of the post if you'd like to listen!) . Along with two parents of young children and the host, we discussed what to expect, various tips/strategies, [...]

Dr. Pontillo Featured on ParentSavers National Podcast: Potty Training: Naptime and Nighttime: Tips for Parents!sdkf2013-07-18T13:06:33+00:00

My Top 10 Classroom Strategies to Help your Child Focus and Pay Attention!

My Top 10 Classroom Strategies to Help your Child Focus and Pay Attention!

sdkf2014-01-11T10:33:43+00:00

By popular demand, here are my 10 top school recommendations for children struggling with focus and attention in class! Remember, no one strategy will be effective for every child. Take this list to school with you to discuss with your child's teacher which strategies would fit your child the best!! 1. Preferred Seating. Try placing [...]

My Top 10 Classroom Strategies to Help your Child Focus and Pay Attention!sdkf2014-01-11T10:33:43+00:00

Potty Training, Constipation, and Anxiety

sdkf2014-05-06T09:10:59+00:00

Hello Dr Deb, I have been trying to toilet train my almost 3 year old daughter for 4.5 months. We gave it a break after no progress with doing a poo on the toilet. She seems anxious and can't let go even if she is desperate and has already started going. We are on our [...]

Potty Training, Constipation, and Anxietysdkf2014-05-06T09:10:59+00:00

What to Expect when raising a child with Asperger’s/Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder

sdkf2014-05-16T09:13:34+00:00

Question: I would love more information on raising a child with Aspergers. Thank you! Answer: I appreciate this question and while it is very general (and I could write books on the topic!) I thought I would start by giving families a little bit of a ‘what to expect’ when raising a child with [...]

What to Expect when raising a child with Asperger’s/Mild Autism Spectrum Disordersdkf2014-05-16T09:13:34+00:00

How to Help an Older Child with Nighttime Bedwetting

sdkf2014-05-23T11:07:34+00:00

Hi Dr Deb, I have been counseling the parents of an 8y/o girl. Her mother describes her issue with bedwetting as follows. " She was in pull/ups at night until she was 6.She is a really heavy sleeper. She started wetting the bed in September right when she started 3rd grade and 2 weeks after [...]

How to Help an Older Child with Nighttime Bedwettingsdkf2014-05-23T11:07:34+00:00

Is sensory processing disorder (SPD) the new ‘catch phrase? Are we over-diagnosing?

sdkf2014-05-29T01:01:34+00:00

Question: "What is your opinion on "sensory processing delay"and OT therapy? Is this being overly diagnosed in your opinion and the new catch phrase? Thank you." -K Dear K: Thank you so much for submitting this question. I think there are many parents like yourselves who share the same concerns. To provide you the [...]

Is sensory processing disorder (SPD) the new ‘catch phrase? Are we over-diagnosing?sdkf2014-05-29T01:01:34+00:00

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

sdkf2014-12-14T12:20:40+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 Familiessdkf2014-12-14T12:20:40+00:00

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

sdkf2014-12-14T12:38:51+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!!sdkf2014-12-14T12:38:51+00:00

Parent Buddy Program

sdkf2014-12-17T22:45:22+00:00

Parent Buddy Program I recently had a parent email me this: "If becoming a parent changes your life completely, becoming a parent to a child on the spectrum gives that change a whole new dimension. It is heartbreaking to see your child struggle to pick up skills that seem to come so naturally to a [...]

Parent Buddy Programsdkf2014-12-17T22:45:22+00:00