Welcome to the Knowledge Center

This section is designed to provide parents, families and health providers information on common concerns within the field of child development and behavioral health. Please contact us with any comments or questions by visiting our contact page.

Deborah Pontillo, Ph.D.

“I am proud of the way in which San Diego Kids First has grown, first and foremost, by listening to the needs of the community. By seeing patterns of need emerge from many unique stories. Because I’ve seen just how empowering a good stiff dose of solid information, clearly explained, can be, I’ve written and gathered this set of resources. The internet is a big place. It can be difficult to know how much faith to put into what you find there. This Knowledge Center is meant to be a safe, inviting and trustworthy space, curated by someone who’s been listening to the community for more than 25 years.”

– Dr. Deborah Pontillo

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What Others Say About Us

I am a general pediatrician with a special interest in ADHD, spending about 20% of my clinical time caring for ADHD patients. I have known Dr Pontillo since 2005 and have an enormous respect for her clinical skills and insights. She is my “go to” psychologist for more complicated developmental issues and for diagnosis of subtle high functioning disabilities. Dr. Pontillo’s interest in her patients and her ability to clearly delineate developmental problems allows parents to move forward with establishing a treatment plan. She is an invaluable resource to the San Diego Pediatric community.

Nicholas Levy, MD, Medical Director, El Camino Pediatrics, V. Asst Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, UCSD

Dr. Pontillo is an exceptional, and one-of-a-kind child psychologist. I have referred many children of my patients to Dr. Pontillo and she has always given them the best care and attention. Referring a patient to another professional is a big responsibility. I always look for a colleague who is efficient, professional, experienced and one who is able to come up with a clear diagnosis. I keep referring to Dr. Pontillo because of her expertise, efficiency and especially her warm and caring personality that is extremely necessary when dealing with children. I very highly recommend Deborah Pontillo, Ph.D as a child diagnostician, developmental and behavioral specialist, and therapist.

David Kravetz, M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, UCSD

I’ve been referring my patients to Dr. Pontillo for the past several years with the utmost confidence that she will care and understand their developmental needs. Dr. Pontillo always provided them with a balanced and age appropriate intervention to help not only the child but the family as a whole.

Chrystal de Freitas M.D., Pediatrician Carmel Valley Pediatrics