Meet the Director
Deborah Kempston BS, OTR/L, Owner/Director
Mrs. Kempston has over 35 years of pediatric Occupational therapy experience in hospitals, schools and clinics. Ms Kempston served 20 years in the public schools including San Diego Unified and Mesa Public Schools in Arizona. She worked 2 years at San Diego Children's Hospital and 7 years at UCSD Medical Center. In addition, She worked with the neuro-developmental population 0-21 at California Children's Services for 7 years.
Mrs. Kempston is certified in Sensory Integration and has extensive training including Sensory Integration and Praxis Certification, and completion of advanced mentorship training at the SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) Foundation in Denver with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller. She has worked with a variety of diagnosis and ages with sensory processing disorders, including children with ASD, ADD, ADHD, Hearing Impaired and Learning disabilities.
Mrs. Kempston is Pediatric Neuro-developmental treatment certified and has worked with a variety of neuromuscular disorders including Cerebral Palsy, Prematurity, brain trauma.
Mrs. Kempston has extensive experience in early intervention populations working with the NICU follow-up clinic, Pediatric and NICU populations at UCSD Medical center and 0-3 population through CCS and early intervention home therapy. She served on the Special Education Early Childhood Assessment team at San Diego Unified & has worked with the 3-5 population in the school district and various clinics.
Mrs. Kempston has extensive experience in feeding with at risk infants on the NICU and pediatric floors, neuromuscular disorders such as Cerebral palsy and brain injury in the hospital setting, through the public schools and CCS. More recently she has worked with the Autism Spectrum Disorder population in clinics and early intervention.
Mrs. Kempston has extensive work with hand function and handwriting. Through the public schools she worked with Handwriting Without Tears Programs, Classroom teaching including Kindergarten pilot programs "The Write Direction" and computer based grant programs she wrote and implemented. She has extensive experience in splinting and hand remediation with neuromuscular disorders and with the pediatric burn population for 5 years at UCSD Medical Center Burn Unit.
Regarding Vision skills and therapeutic listening processing, She has a certification to Teach the PACE processing and cognitive Enhancement program developed by vision therapy and cognitive therapy experts. She is also certified in Therapeutic Listen and the Interactive Metronome, both specialized tools using sound, music and timing.
Mrs. Kempston has a special interest in music and dance. She has taught therapeutic dance for special needs population and yoga for kids classes.
Meet Our OT Staff
Erin Monise, OTD, OTR/L
Erin Monise, OTD, OTR/L
Erin Monise, OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Erin graduated with her Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy; with an emphasis in pediatric neurology from the University of St. Augustine. She has completed continuing education courses in Hippotherapy, behavior management, myofascial release and feeding therapy. Dr. Erin is passionate about getting the whole family in
Dr. Erin graduated with her Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy; with an emphasis in pediatric neurology from the University of St. Augustine. She has completed continuing education courses in Hippotherapy, behavior management, myofascial release and feeding therapy. Dr. Erin is passionate about getting the whole family involved to create holistic home programs. Her previous work experience includes working in a feeding/swallowing specialty clinic and on a ranch based clinic with children and horses.
In her free time she enjoys kayaking, painting, and playing board games.
Sherri Drehobl, COTA/L
Erin Monise, OTD, OTR/L
Erin Monise, OTD, OTR/L
After working in the Special Education system within the school setting since 2000, Sherri returned to school and graduated from Grossmont College with her Associates degree in Occupational Therapy in 2008. She has been practicing as a pediatric COTA in both in school districts and the outpatient clinic setting. She has experience working
After working in the Special Education system within the school setting since 2000, Sherri returned to school and graduated from Grossmont College with her Associates degree in Occupational Therapy in 2008. She has been practicing as a pediatric COTA in both in school districts and the outpatient clinic setting. She has experience working with toddler through 23 years old and has specialized training in Handwriting Without Tears and Size Matters, the Zones of Regulation, S’cool Moves, and Interactive Metronome. In her spare time, Sherri teaches yoga in several settings. She enjoys water sports, live music, and spending time with family and friends. She is fortunate to have travelled to 4 continents and loves to learn about the world through travel.
Nikita Jones, COTA/L
Erin Monise, OTD, OTR/L
Nikita Jones, COTA/L
Nikita graduated from California State University, Northridge in 2010 with a B.S. in Kinesiology. She became interested in occupational therapy after her two nephews were diagnosed with autism. After working as a behavior interventionist, she graduated from Grossmont College's Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 2014. Since then,
Nikita graduated from California State University, Northridge in 2010 with a B.S. in Kinesiology. She became interested in occupational therapy after her two nephews were diagnosed with autism. After working as a behavior interventionist, she graduated from Grossmont College's Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 2014. Since then, she has worked for various pediatric clinics in San Diego, as well as the San Diego Unified School District. She has experience working with toddlers to high schoolers with a focus on self-regulation and sensory . In her spare time, Nikita enjoys learning languages, roller skating, and playing the bass guitar. She also enjoys spending time with her family, husband, and dog Duncan.
Meet Our PT Staff
Serwyna Aquino, RPT
Serwyna has over 20 years of experience working as a Physical Therapist in the US and abroad. She started her career working as a PT Supervisor at The Philippine National Police General Hospital and has mentored aspiring PT students prior to migrating to US. She also volunteered in non-profit organizations for children with special need
Serwyna has over 20 years of experience working as a Physical Therapist in the US and abroad. She started her career working as a PT Supervisor at The Philippine National Police General Hospital and has mentored aspiring PT students prior to migrating to US. She also volunteered in non-profit organizations for children with special needs like Pedyakamp. She worked at Rancho Physical Therapy Center for Pediatrics and Neurology for many years. After that, she started the Physical Therapy Program at Temecula Valley Therapy Services and served as the PT Director for 7 years. She has completed continuing education in neuromuscular reeducation, self-regulation strategies and techniques for children with Autism, ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder, ProAct Training, neurological and pediatric physical therapy. She loves working with children; helping them achieve the highest quality of life possible and involving their family using a holistic approach.
She is also a Financial Educator and is an advocate of National Financial Literacy in North America. She has a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. As a family, they love exploring the world together and has been to many countries in Europe and Asia.
Jessica Banta, Business Manager
Jessica Banta, Business Manager
Jessica Banta, Business Manager
Jessica is a Marine wife and mom to two precious girls. She graduated with her B.A. in Journalism and Business in 2010 from the University of Cincinnati. She spent most of her professional career in the retail industry in Merchandising. After a military move brought her across the country, she decided to take some time away from work and
Jessica is a Marine wife and mom to two precious girls. She graduated with her B.A. in Journalism and Business in 2010 from the University of Cincinnati. She spent most of her professional career in the retail industry in Merchandising. After a military move brought her across the country, she decided to take some time away from work and focus on raising her children.
Jessica started at Home Grown OT 4 Kids as a client with her daughter, Aria. She jumped at the opportunity to get back into the workforce and join an amazing team who ultimately improves the lives of children.
Jessica brings her knowledge and experience in the business world to contribute to Home Grown OT 4 Kids.
In her spare time, Jessica loves on her two rescue dogs, Addi and Cooper, runs a local mom's group and goes to the beach every chance she gets
Diane Lucero, Office Assistant
Jessica Banta, Business Manager
Jessica Banta, Business Manager
Diane joined the team in December of 2020. She is a certified medical assistant with over 10 years experience. She has worked with a variety of doctors and is extremely knowledgeable about the medical field. Her heart and compassion for patients is what really sets her apart. She is married with 2 beautiful children. In her spare time
Diane joined the team in December of 2020. She is a certified medical assistant with over 10 years experience. She has worked with a variety of doctors and is extremely knowledgeable about the medical field. Her heart and compassion for patients is what really sets her apart. She is married with 2 beautiful children. In her spare time she enjoys reading, dancing,
going to church, and loves spending her days outdoors with her family!
Julia Hernandez, OT & PT Aide
Jessica Banta, Business Manager
Julia Hernandez, OT & PT Aide
Julia recently graduated from CSUSM with her bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development. She has background experience working with children in ABA therapy as well as volunteer opportunities. She is on her way to getting her master's in Occupational Therapy. Outside of work she loves to spend time with friends and family while also going to the gym, reading, and hiking.
Announcement
We are excited to share we have added Physical Therapy to our offered services!