Neurodevelopmental Integrative Care Clinic

Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health provides holistic care for children with autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sensory processing disorder, Tourette syndrome and certain behavioral issues. Our approach combines mainstream medical treatments with safe, effective alternative therapies.

As integrative providers, our goal is to treat the whole child rather than a set of symptoms. For children with autism spectrum disorder, for instance, we aim to address the digestive, nutritional and immune system issues that often accompany the behavioral symptoms of autism.

During the initial assessment, we thoroughly evaluate your child's health and development, looking at strengths as well as challenges. The assessment consists of two one-hour sessions, spaced one to three weeks apart. In between visits, we may ask you to complete laboratory tests or gather additional information.

After the assessment, we'll provide a treatment plan designed to meet your family's needs and values. This plan may include nutritional testing, dietary changes, use of supplements and behavioral interventions, as well as other strategies. In some cases, we also refer patients for complementary therapies, such as traditional Chinese medicine, biofeedback therapy, yoga or massage therapy. If you're considering or already using medication for your child, we’ll integrate it into the treatment plan.

We'll also help advocate for and coordinate other services that would benefit your child, such as intensive behavioral management or speech therapy.

Children have an innate drive and capacity to heal, and we encourage this by involving your child as much as possible in the treatment process. As your child's needs change over time, we'll continue working with your family to adjust the plan as needed.