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Parent Coaching for Early Development & Autism Support

Evidence-based early intervention that empowers parents to support communication, development, and daily routines with confidence.

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How We Support Your Child and Your Family

Little Lightbulbs provides parent coaching–led early intervention that fits into your real life — mealtimes, play, transitions, and daily routines. Together, we build skills step by step so progress continues long after sessions end.

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SDRC Vendored Provider

Early Start services provided through the San Diego Regional Center for eligible infants and toddlers with autism or developmental delays.

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Project ImPACT® Coaching

Evidence-based parent coaching that supports communication, social engagement, and connection through everyday routines.

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FGRBI Parent Coaching

Family-Guided, Routines-Based Intervention focused on collaboration, confidence, and meaningful progress in daily life.

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Private Parent Coaching

Personalized support for families seeking parent coaching outside of Regional Center services or in addition to them.

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How We Work

This answers the unspoken parent question: What will actually happen with my child?

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1.

Initial Consultation

We start by getting to know you and your child. We talk through strengths, concerns, and daily routines so we can understand what support will be most helpful right now.

2.

Personalized Care Plan

Together, we create a thoughtful plan based on your child’s needs, goals, and pace. Support is practical, flexible, and designed to fit into real life.

3.

Ongoing Support & Progress

Sessions focus on steady growth over time. We check in regularly, adjust strategies as needed, and make sure progress feels meaningful and manageable.

4.

Family Collaboration

Parents are supported with clear, practical strategies they can use at home and in everyday routines. The goal is confidence, not overwhelm.

Meet Your Provider

Compassionate, experienced support centered on families and everyday life.

Kathryn Jacobson is an early childhood educator and parent coach with a strong foundation in family-centered, routines-based early intervention. She holds a Master of Science in Education and is an FGRBI Certified Coach, Project ImPACT Certified Coach, and SDRC Vendored Provider.

Before transitioning into early intervention, Kathryn spent ten years as a classroom teacher in New York City and North Philadelphia, working closely with young children and families across diverse educational settings. This experience continues to inform her work, bringing a practical, empathetic approach grounded in real classroom and family life.

Throughout her career, Kathryn has supported infants, toddlers, and young children within home-based and community settings, with a particular focus on early communication, social engagement, emotional regulation, and parent coaching. Her work emphasizes helping families understand how development unfolds within everyday routines, empowering parents to feel confident supporting their child throughout the day.

Kathryn founded Little Lightbulbs with the belief that meaningful progress happens when support is individualized, relationship-based, and embedded into daily life. By working directly with families in their natural environments, she is able to collaborate closely with parents and caregivers, ensuring strategies feel manageable, respectful, and sustainable.

Her approach is grounded in evidence-based, family-centered practices, including completion of the PEACE Study with Penn Medicine, which focuses on strengthening parent–child interaction and emotional connection.

Outside of her professional work, Kathryn enjoys life on the water, spending time sailing, and building a connected community in San Diego

Training & Certifications

  • Master of Science in Education (M.S. Ed)

  • Family-Guided Routines-Based Intervention (FGRBI) Certified Coach

  • Project ImPACT Certified Coach

  • PEACE Study Participant – Penn Medicine

  • University of Pittsburgh – Course Sponsorship, Foundations of Infant Mental Health

  • SDRC Vendored Provider

  • Ongoing professional development in early intervention, parent coaching, social communication, and early childhood development

What Makes This Approach Different

Support is personal, collaborative, and built into everyday routines. Families are never left guessing. Clear communication, trust, and transparency guide everything we do.

Our Work Is Guided By

Parent coaching led, not clinic based

Evidence-based, family-centered practices

Support built into daily routines

A calm, respectful approach to development

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Our Specialists

Compassionate professionals. Trusted partners in your child’s journey.

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Jessica Moore

Family Support & Care Coordinator

Jessica supports families throughout their entire journey, from initial inquiry to ongoing care. She helps coordinate services, schedules, and communication between families and therapists. With a warm, attentive approach, Jessica ensures parents feel informed, supported, and confident in their child’s care plan. She believes strong family relationships are essential to meaningful progress and works to create a welcoming, transparent experience for every family.
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Anna Lopez, M.Ed.

Sensory & Social Skills Program Coordinator

Anna designs and leads small-group programs that support social interaction, sensory regulation, and peer engagement. Her sessions provide structured opportunities for children to practice communication, turn-taking, and cooperative play in a supportive setting. Anna believes social skills develop best when children feel accepted and encouraged rather than pressured. She works closely with the therapy team to ensure each child’s individual needs are respected within group activities.
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Michael Reed, BCBA

Behavioral & Emotional Support Specialist

Michael focuses on helping children understand and manage their emotions while developing positive, functional behaviors. He emphasizes predictable routines, emotional regulation, and positive reinforcement strategies that reduce stress and frustration. Michael collaborates closely with families and educators to ensure consistency across home and school environments. His calm, respectful approach helps children feel safe while learning skills that support long-term emotional resilience.

Common Questions

Clear, thoughtful answers to help you understand services, feel confident in your decisions, and know what to expect as you support your child’s development.

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  • Support is designed for families who have questions or concerns related to autism, developmental delays, communication, behavior, social engagement, or daily routines. If you’re noticing differences in how your child communicates, plays, regulates emotions, or participates in everyday activities, a consultation is a helpful first step to determine whether this approach is the right fit for your child and your family.

  • Services primarily support infants and toddlers, including children eligible for Early Start due to autism or developmental delays. When appropriate, support may also extend to young children beyond age three, depending on family needs and goals.

  • Sessions are play-based and routines-focused, often taking place in your home or natural environment. Time is spent engaging with your child through play, daily activities, and interactions while supporting development related to communication, social engagement, regulation, and learning. Caregivers are guided throughout the session so strategies can be carried into everyday life.

  • Parents and caregivers are central to the work. Sessions focus on coaching and collaboration so families feel confident supporting their child with autism or developmental delays throughout the day. The goal is for progress to continue during everyday routines, not just during sessions.

  • Support is individualized based on your child’s strengths, challenges, interests, and daily routines. Care plans address areas such as communication, social engagement, behavior, regulation, and independence, and are shaped through observation, conversation, and ongoing collaboration with families. Plans evolve as your child grows and priorities change.

  • Progress is tracked through ongoing observation, caregiver feedback, and goals rooted in daily routines. When appropriate, standardized tools such as the DAYC-2 and ASQ-SE are used to help inform understanding of development and social–emotional functioning. Rather than focusing on isolated skills, progress is measured by meaningful changes in communication, regulation, engagement, and participation in everyday life for children with autism or developmental delays.

  • Yes. Collaboration is an important part of supporting children with autism and developmental delays. When helpful, coordination with Early Start service coordinators, early childhood programs, or other professionals can be included to support consistency across environments.

  • Many children with autism or developmental delays benefit from support across multiple areas of development. This approach focuses on integrating strategies across communication, behavior, social engagement, and routines rather than separating skills into isolated services. Families are supported in understanding options and coordinating care as needed.

  • Getting started begins with a consultation. This is a chance to talk through your questions, share concerns, and decide together on next steps. From there, support is tailored to your child and your family’s priorities.

Latest Articles

Professional insights, guidance, and stories to support your child’s journey

Explore Our Blog
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Working Together: How Families and Therapists Support Progress

Progress in therapy often depends on more than just the sessions between a therapist and their client. Families play a crucial role in supporting change and growth outside the therapy room. When families and therapists work together, they create a stronger foundation for lasting improvement. This post explores how collaboration between families and therapists helps individuals move forward, with practical examples and clear strategies. The Importance of Family Involvement in Therapy Therapy...
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The Importance of Play in Learning and Development

Play is often seen as just a way for children to pass time, but it holds a much deeper role in learning and development. It shapes how children understand the world, develop skills, and build relationships. This post explores why play matters and how it supports growth in meaningful ways. How Play Builds Cognitive Skills Play encourages children to think creatively and solve problems. When kids engage in pretend play or build with blocks, they practice planning, experimenting, and adapting....
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Helping Children Manage Emotions in a Calm and Healthy Way

Children experience a wide range of emotions as they grow, from joy and excitement to frustration and sadness. Learning how to manage these feelings calmly and healthily is essential for their emotional development and overall well-being. When children understand their emotions and how to express them appropriately, they build stronger relationships, improve their problem-solving skills, and develop resilience. This post explores practical ways to help children manage their emotions...
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Where Would You Like to Go Next?

Explore our services, get in touch with our team, or access helpful resources for families and caregivers.

Our Services

Learn how support is thoughtfully tailored to children and families through relationship-based, routines-focused care.

Explore the approach, areas of support, and how services are designed to fit into everyday family life.

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Have questions or ready to take the next step?

Reach out to ask questions, schedule a consultation, or talk through whether this approach feels like the right fit for your family.

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