Whole-person support for ADHD and autism
ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental differences, not character flaws. They shape how a person focuses, organizes, senses the world and relates to others, and they come with real strengths as well as challenges. Our role is to understand the whole person, reduce the things that make daily life harder, and build on what already works. We support children, teens and adults, and we involve families wherever it helps.
What ADHD can look like
- Inattention: losing track of tasks, missing details, forgetting appointments, difficulty starting or finishing work, losing things.
- Hyperactivity and impulsivity: restlessness, talking over others, acting before thinking, difficulty waiting.
- Emotional dysregulation: quick frustration, intense reactions, rejection sensitivity.
- In adults: chronic overwhelm, procrastination, unfinished projects, time blindness and burnout, often in people who coped well until life became more demanding. See adult ADHD signs that are often missed.
What autism can look like
- Differences in social communication, such as finding small talk or unwritten social rules exhausting
- Strong preferences for routine and predictability
- Deep, focused interests
- Sensory sensitivities to sound, light, textures or crowds
- Masking or camouflaging traits, especially common in girls and women, which can lead to exhaustion, anxiety and late diagnosis
ADHD and autism often occur together, and both commonly travel with anxiety, depression, sleep problems and digestive issues.
How we assess
A good assessment looks beyond a symptom checklist. We take a developmental history, gather input from family or school where appropriate, and screen for things that can look like ADHD or make it worse: poor sleep or sleep apnea, anxiety, depression, thyroid problems, iron deficiency, heavy screen use and trauma. For formal testing, see ADHD testing; for a broader picture, our Biopsych Assessment brings history, symptoms and relevant labs into one plan.
How we help
Skills, coaching and therapy
Practical strategies for planning, time management, task initiation and emotional regulation make a large difference. For autistic patients, we focus on reducing overload, protecting energy and supporting self-advocacy rather than forcing masking. Parents get concrete tools for routines, transitions and meltdowns.
Sleep
Sleep problems are very common in ADHD and autism and make attention, mood and behavior worse. Improving sleep timing and quality is often one of the fastest wins. See sleep and insomnia.
Nutrition and the gut
Regular meals with protein help steady energy and focus. We check iron and other nutrients where relevant, and support children with very selective eating. Digestive problems are common in autism and deserve attention. See gut-brain and digestive health and nutritional psychiatry.
Screens and environment
Screen habits, sensory load at home and school, and daily structure all shape symptoms. See screen dependency and focus and motivation.
Medication
Medication can be very effective for ADHD. Stimulant medications are controlled substances, which are outside naturopathic prescribing scope in Washington, so when a stimulant is part of the right plan we coordinate with your primary care physician, psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner while we support everything around it. We can discuss non-stimulant and supportive options where appropriate. See holistic ADHD treatment.
Our experience with complex presentations
Care is led by Dr. Koichi Tanji, ND, LMHC, FMAPS, a Fellow of the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs who works with complex neurodevelopmental presentations. When a childโs symptoms change suddenly and dramatically, especially after an infection, we also consider PANS / PANDAS.
Related reading: integrative care for adult ADHD, ADHD treatment in Bellevue and neurodivergent-affirming care.
Getting started
We see patients in person at 2135 112th Ave NE, Suite 201, Bellevue, and by secure telehealth anywhere in Washington. We are in-network with Premera, Regence, BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna and Kaiser PPO. Most people begin with our Biopsych Assessment. Book online or call (425) 278-6166.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
