San Diego Kids First

San Diego Kids First San Diego Kids First, is dedicated to providing thorough, but concise, expert advice on a number of topics to assist parents and their children.

Receive expert advice from Dr. Deborah Pontillo,a pediatric psychologist and expert in child development, behavior, and learning. She has received her Ph.D in clinical psychology from in clinical psychology and very highly specialized post-doctoral training in developmental child psychology at UCSD/Rady Children's Hospital. She has an extremely busy private practice in San Diego, CA, is a Voluntar

y Assistant Clinical Professor in the School of Medicine at UCSD, research collaborator, media consultant, invited speaker, published author, and mother of two wonderful children (ages 8 and 4)! At How2HelpMyChild.com you will find research-based, practical advice, guidance, and insights on a variety of topics pertaining to your child's development. Based on questions she has received over the years from thousands of families in my practice, she can provide sound solutions to common - and those not so common! - concerns!

04/28/2026

You don’t have to figure it out alone.�PCIT gives you in-the-moment support to navigate big behaviors with confidence.
Now available virtually�Reach out to learn more 🤍

04/17/2026

Navigating early childhood behavior can feel overwhelming but you don’t have to do it alone
Join us for a FREE virtual Lunch & Learn where we’ll share practical, real-life strategies you can actually use.
🗓 Friday, April 24�⏰ 12 PM�💻 Virtual
Led by Hilary Pincolini, BCBA, M.Ed and Dr. Deborah Pontillo
✨ Understanding & Supporting Early Childhood Behavior
We’d love to have you join us!
Reach out for details or RSVP

What is DBT?
A skills-based therapy that helps teens manage emotions, handle stress, and build stronger relationships.✨ ...
04/08/2026

What is DBT?
A skills-based therapy that helps teens manage emotions, handle stress, and build stronger relationships.
✨ Distress Tolerance
✨ Emotion Regulation
✨ Interpersonal Effectiveness
Wondering if it’s right for your teen? Send us a message!

03/11/2026

✨ Meet Anabelle Calderon, M.S., BCBA!
Anabelle is passionate about supporting children and families through compassionate, individualized care. Watch to learn more about her approach and how she helps kids grow and thrive.
Parents interested in working with Anabelle are welcome to reach out to learn more or schedule an appointment!
San Diego Kids First
🌐 www.sdkidsfirst.com (http://www.sdkidsfirst.com/)
📞 (858) 692-4187
✉️ contact@sdkidsfirst.com

02/25/2026

Join us virtually on March 6 at 12PM for a Lunch & Learn with Dr. Kayla Langer and Dr. Pontilo as we break down Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and how it supports teens through individual and group work.
We’ll also be sharing details about our upcoming Teen DBT Distress Tolerance Module focused on helping teens survive emotional crises without making things worse.
Perfect for parents wanting practical tools and real support.
Register through the link: https://forms.gle/SAsVEcNqcKSMBj2f9💻

✨ Exciting News! ✨San Diego Kids First is thrilled to announce that our Director of the Educational Psychology Departmen...
02/11/2026

✨ Exciting News! ✨
San Diego Kids First is thrilled to announce that our Director of the Educational Psychology Department, Kaydon Schanberger, M.Ed., is opening a NEW office on Coronado Island!
This new location will serve as a Learning & Development Center, focused on social-emotional learning, behavioral support, executive functioning and educational skill-building for children and families.
To celebrate, all new intakes at this location will receive 30% OFF from now through April 1st.
📞 Call today to learn more and schedule your intake!
🌐 www.sdkidsfirst.com (http://www.sdkidsfirst.com/)
📱 (858) 692-4187
📧 contact@sdkidsfirst.com

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual but support makes all the difference 💛Join our 4-Week Parenting Program led by Hila...
01/29/2026

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual but support makes all the difference 💛
Join our 4-Week Parenting Program led by Hilary Pincolini, BCBA at San Diego Kids First.
Learn practical, evidence-based strategies you can use right away.
📞 Call today to register: (858) 692-4187
📧 contact@sdkidsfirst.com
🔗 www.sdkidsfirst.com
Spots are limited, let’s get started! ✨

Open House + Networking Night ✨San Diego Kids First📅 Thurs 1/15 | ⏰ 6:30 PM📍 12625 High Bluff Dr, Suite 204Meet our team...
01/07/2026

Open House + Networking Night ✨
San Diego Kids First

📅 Thurs 1/15 | ⏰ 6:30 PM
📍 12625 High Bluff Dr, Suite 204

Meet our team, tour our space, and connect with the community.
RSVP via DM or email contact@sdkidsfirst.com

✨ Happy New Year to our amazing families! ✨Thank you for being part of our community we’re so grateful for you. We’re ex...
12/31/2025

✨ Happy New Year to our amazing families! ✨
Thank you for being part of our community we’re so grateful for you. We’re excited for all that the new year has in store and look forward to continuing to support your family in 2026💛

✨ Day 12 of Our 12 Days of Interventions ✨For our final day, we’re excited to share a special gift with our families: Br...
12/26/2025

✨ Day 12 of Our 12 Days of Interventions ✨

For our final day, we’re excited to share a special gift with our families: Bright Stars, a free video series created for parents raising bright children with mild autism spectrum profiles.

This short, practical series helps families understand why capable kids may still struggle with motivation, flexibility, social understanding, or behavior and what actually helps.

🎥 The series includes four short modules:
⭐ Understanding bright kids with mild ASD
⭐ Motivation beyond reward systems
⭐ Social skills & perspective-taking
⭐ Reducing rigidity and power struggles

Families tell us these videos help them feel less reactive, more grounded, and more aligned in their parenting.

Thank you for being part of our community this season. Wishing you a joyful holiday and a bright start to the new year 💛

Watch Bright Stars: https://sdkidsfirst.com/bright-stars/

—
Deborah Pontillo, PhD
Director, San Diego Kids First

Address

12625 High Bluff Drive , Suite 111
San Diego, CA
92130

Telephone

(858) 692-4187

Website

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