215 Coram Avenue
Shelton, CT 06484
203.710.3937
Autism
Beyond the Diagnosis
Every child has a story that
extends beyond a label.
The Diagnosis Is Part of the Story
An autism diagnosis can provide important answers.
It can also leave important questions unanswered.
Why does one child struggle with anxiety while another struggles with focus?
Why do some interventions help while others don't?
Dr. Soalt looks beyond the diagnosis to understand
the factors influencing how each child thinks, feels,
learns, and experiences the world.
What Dr. Soalt Evaluates
Dr. Soalt's evaluation looks beyond symptoms and diagnoses to identify factors that may be influencing how a child functions day to day.
Nutrition and nutritional deficiencies.
Digestive health and gut function.
Neurotransmitter balance.
Sleep and nervous system regulation.
Food sensitivities and intolerances.
Environmental influences.
Emotional and sensory processing.
School and learning challenges.
An Individualized Approach
No two children with autism are alike.
Many children with autism also experience co-occurring ADHD, anxiety, or sensory processing challenges, which is why Dr. Soalt's evaluation looks at the whole picture rather than autism in isolation.
Recommendations may include nutritional support, lifestyle strategies, expressive therapies, behavioral supports, environmental considerations, or additional evaluation when appropriate.
The goal is not to fit the child into a predetermined plan.
The goal is to understand the child well enough to create a plan that fits them.
Moving Forward With Clarity
Many families arrive with years of unanswered questions, conflicting recommendations, and the feeling that something important is still being missed.
Understanding what may be contributing to a child's challenges creates a different starting point.
One grounded in information.
One guided by a plan.
And one that helps families move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
This individualized evaluation — rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol — is what Dr. Soalt offers autistic children and their families in Shelton, CT and across Fairfield County and Connecticut.
Common Questions About Autism and This Approach
Can naturopathic medicine actually help with autism?
Naturopathic medicine doesn't treat autism itself, but it can identify and address contributing factors — such as nutritional deficiencies, gut health, sleep issues, or sensory processing challenges — that may be affecting how a child functions day to day. Addressing these factors often supports meaningful improvements alongside other therapies and supports.
Does diet or nutrition affect autism symptoms?
For many children, yes. Nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivities, and gut health can all influence mood, focus, sleep, and behavior. Dr. Soalt's evaluation looks specifically at these factors to determine what may be relevant for your child.
Is this an alternative to ABA, speech therapy, or occupational therapy?
No. This approach is designed to work alongside existing therapies like ABA, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, not replace them. The goal is to identify additional physiological or environmental factors that may be affecting your child's progress in those therapies.
My child has autism and ADHD (or anxiety) — do you address both?
Yes. Many children with autism also experience co-occurring ADHD, anxiety, or sensory processing challenges. Dr. Soalt's evaluation considers the whole child rather than looking at autism in isolation.
What does an initial evaluation for autism look like?
Dr. Soalt's evaluation considers your child's history, current symptoms, and factors such as nutrition, digestion, sleep, sensory processing, and environment. From there, she builds a plan tailored to your child rather than following a standard protocol.
My child already has an autism diagnosis. What can this add?
An existing diagnosis is a starting point, not the full picture. Dr. Soalt's evaluation looks at what may be contributing to your child's specific symptoms beyond the diagnosis itself, which often reveals additional factors that can inform treatment.