Functional medicine for autism takes a holistic approach, looking beyond just a diagnosis to address the underlying biological factors contributing to a child's autistic symptoms. It doesn't aim to "cure" autism – autism is a neurodevelopmental difference, not a disease to be cured – but rather to optimize your child's health and well-being by identifying and treating the root causes of their difficulties. Our approach differs from a conventional medical approach in that we look for the root cause of the behavioural traits, rather than trying to alter the behaviour itself. At Barefoot Medicine, our D.A.R.I.N.G.Approach to Healthcare uses scientifically backed studies to inform treatment choices, such as the CHARGE Study, which stands for Childhood Autism Risk from Genetics and Environment.