Who is Hidden Culprits, Clearer Path for?
- Have you completed Step 2: Pin-Point to Progress?
- Have you got your Health Strategy so that we can add to it as we progress through Step 3?
- Is your Mood & Food Journal up-to-date?
If the answer to these questions is YES, then you are ready to proceed!
What Is the Hidden Culprits, Clearer Path Programme?
This is Step 3 of the 3-Step Nourishing Neurodiversity Programme.
The first step is called "Nourish to Flourish" and showed you two main things: whether your child was getting the right nutrients for his or her body systems to function properly, and whether those nutrients could be accessed and used by the body efficiently.
The second step, Pin-Point to Progress allowed us to remove obstacles to progress such as food sensitivities that may not have been obvious but which were contributing to the systemic inflammation. We also gained significant pivotal insights into the functioning of neurotransmitters, detoxification processes and mitochondrial function.
In this final step, we will look at factors in your child's environment that may be contributing to his or her symptoms. This could be chemicals in the environment such as glyphosate, which is known to be a contributing factor to autism symptoms even from maternal exposure. It could also be due to heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury or lead in the water or in our food. Another factor is spores from mold and fungi which could be naturally occuring in the environment or within the home in damp or old buidings or even extensions without an adequate dampcourse.
It is important that you complete this step after Steps 1 and 2 so that we know your child's detoxification pathways are already improving. Identifying specific triggers in this test will help us know what needs to be avoided or changed in the environment as well as what specific practical measures can be put in place to limit exposure and what your child needs protecting from.
Bespoke Nutritional Advice & Resources
You will have another 3 months' access to our online customizable meal plans that are specific to your child's dietary needs. This may be the Autism Spectrum Disorder Meal Plan, Mitochondrial Support, Core Food Plan etc.
2 Advanced Functional Tests
Is your child's autism linked to hidden mold exposure either in the environment or around your home? Could they be struggling to eliminate heavy metal toxins present in food and drinking water and the air we breath?
For children with autism, whose systems may be particularly sensitive, hidden toxins could be exacerbating symptoms like sensory sensitivities, cognitive difficulties and behavioral challenges.
By uncovering these hidden culprits we can take targeted action to avoid or eliminate exposure, creating a clearer path towards a healthier, happier future for your child.
MycoToxins Tests
These will identify the presence of mycotoxins – potent toxins produced by mold – that can wreak havoc on neurological function and overall well-being. Results will show which specific spores are present and which organs they are likely to affect.
Heavy Metals Hair Strand Analysis:
This tests for both toxic and essential elements. A hair strand is useful because it absorbs minerals over time in much the same way as organs would. In some instances the report is able to identify whether the source came from food or the environment, which will help us know how to reduce exposure in future.
Expert Guidance & Support
We will have four 1:1 sessions between 60 minutes and 45 minutes long. This will be either telephone or video call.
- Review your current Health Strategy, Mood & Food Journal and update on your child's current state of health and wellbeing.
- Review the Mycotoxins & Glyphosate reports
- Review the Heavy Metals hair analysis results
- Update Health Strategy
Client Portal
To keep consultations, advice and information running as smoothly as posible, we use GetHealthie, an electronic health records platform to keep your information secure.
- Download the Healthie App to stay organized
- Schedule video or telephone calls for all your consultations, get appointment reminders, reschedule if you need to.
- Secure Chat feature for clients with quick questions
- Keep all your results together in one place for sharing with your child's healthcare team so you don't have to keep repeating yourself.
- Use the shared journaling feature if you want feedback and encouragement
- Set Health Goals & Reminders
- Access Courses, videos, handouts tailored specifically for you.
- Access your Online meal plan with meals specifically suited to a gluten-free and casein-free diet, the best starting point for anyone on the autism spectrum.
What You Can Expect...
Lets Make a Plan
If you answered 'yes' to any of the questions at the top of the page, then a personalized approach using functional medicine for autism could be the solution you are looking for.
However, functional medicine for autism is new to most people, so before you go any further, I would recommend you find out more for yourself by following these steps.
- Watch this video about Functional Nutrition for Autism. It is a 40-minute talk I (Simone Buehner) gave a The Autism Show, Cardiff in 2024.
- Read this blog post about the CHARGE Study. CHARGE stands for Childhood Autism Risk from Genetics and Environment. The study found that up to 40% of autism symptoms are due to environmental causes rather than genetic. This means that if we can identify and address the environmental causes (diet, environemntal toxins, detoxification pathways etc) then we can potentially improve autism symtpoms very significantly.
- If you are still unsure or have more questions, you can Book a FREE Discovery Call with Simone, otherwise you can click below to get started right away!
Our D.A.R.I.N.G. Approach
At Barefoot Medicine Ltd. we have a trademarked protocol known as the D.A.R.I.N.G. Approach, which we use to get to the root cause of any health condition. Unlike convventional medicine, we focus on body systems, not symptoms, which is why we get lasting results, rather than a quick fix that suppresses symptoms.
Discover
4 In-Depth 1:1 Consultations
Roots to Radiance Consultation: A deep dive into your child's health history and current challenges.
Metabolic Health Review: Learn how to tailor your child's meals and snacks to meet the nutritional deficiencies that have been identified by the laboratory. If your child is a 'picky eater' (as most are) we will cover strategies for short, medium and long-term benefit, which may include supplementation so we can 'break the cycle' of malnutrition and picky eating. You will also be offered in-depth advice on addressing sensory sensitivities around food.
Gut Health Review: We will discuss the findings from the lab results and add actionalbe steps to your childs health strategy to address the findings. However, this is a very detailed topic, so there will be additional resources for you in your Healthie portal to refer to as and when you are ready Consultations will cover what you 'need' to know only, so as not to overwhelm you.
Health Strategy Call: A customized plan to address your child's unique needs, including dietary recommendations, targeted supplementation and lifestyle adjustments. The goal of the strategy is for it to be realistic and achievable foor your whole family. This is a long term solution, not a quick fix, so the important thing will be to tackle everything in order, one step at a time.
Analyze
Advanced Functional Testing
- MycoTox Profile: to uncover environmental toxins that may be triggering a 'drip feed' immune response that is causing systemic inflammation. Many children on the autism spectrum have difficulty clearing toxins from their body, so over time the accumulation can increase inflammation and make autism symptoms appear to worsen.
- Toxic and Essential Elements: Some minerals are critical for body functions, others are highly undesirable such as arsenic and lead. Using a hair strand analysis will identify levels of these elements, giving us a clearer picture of any additional supplementation that may be needed, or if further detoxification is advised.
Report
Personalized Health Strategy
This is a living document that we began in Step 1, so you will be given advice and information to update this strategy with more in-depth knowledge as we get the next set of results in.
Integrate
Pacing & Patience!
Journaling: As yiou saw in Step 1, the Mood & Food Journal is extremly helpful in identifying what is working and what we need to prioritize going forward.
Nourish
Food As Medicine
- Online Meal Plan: When you get your results back, you may wish to change to a different meal plan such as anti-inflammatory, detoxification, mitochondrial support etc. Throughout the programme, you will be given 3 months' free access to our online meal plans and you are welcome to try out different ones as your results come through.
- Herbal Remedies May be useful to aid digestion, boost energy, calm the mind etc.
- Nutraceuticals: I use a company that specializes in supplements for neurodiversity, and although they only deal with helathcare professionals, I can create an account for my clients to order supplements as and when needed, without you coming through me each time.
Guide
Client Portal
Healthie App: Your Health Strategy will be available on your portal for step-by-step guidance. You will also be able to refer to handouts, online courses, videos and your lab reports or any documents we share. If you get 'stuck' there is also the secure chat facility on there so you can reach out to Simone, or if you are a client you will have credits to access Simone's calendar so you can book a telephone or video call for a longer discussion.
Memberships and Accreditations
So You Know You Are in Good Hands
