Welcome to CARE
The Center for Autism Research and Education was founded in 2003 in order to combine both state of the art clinical practice and innovative research. Dr. Cindy Schneider and the staff at CARE welcome the challenge, joy, and fulfillment of working with individuals with autism and their families. We believe that every patient can achieve a higher level of health. The CARE protocol is individualized to meet the needs of each patient, but the underlying philosophy of our treatment remains the same–Give the body what it needs to heal, avoid the foods and toxins that are not consistent with optimal health, and initiate appropriate therapies. This strategy allows the highest possible level of health and cognitive function. Emphasis is placed on nutritional and metabolic testing, which guides recommendations and accelerates the rate at which healthcare and developmental goals are met.
The greatest hurdle to progress in autism research has been the unwillingness of so many to accept a paradigm shift. Autism is treatable.Children with autism are medically ill, not psychologically challenged. Identifying and eliminating problematic foods, chemicals, and toxins while correcting nutritional deficiencies and providing the nutrients necessary for normal growth and development is a reasonable and effective strategy. Answering questions and questioning answers captures the essence of our mission at CARE.
The CARE healthcare philosophy:
Dr. Cindy Schneider practices functional, integrative medicine. This philosophy emphasizes the identification and treatment of the underlying causes of medical conditions rather than just the symptoms. Her approach to health challenges includes the optimization of each patient’s nutritional status and key metabolic pathways. A detailed history is obtained on every patient, which begins the process of discovering the cause or causes of his or her symptoms. Many have suffered needlessly for years and gone through extensive medical workups elsewhere, only to find that their health problems were entirely treatable with lifestyle changes and proper nutritional support.
Our approach at the Center for Autism Research and Education emphasizes the following:
- Comprehensive nutritional and metabolic testing Lifestyle and dietary counseling and education to minimize exposure to environmental toxins
- An organic, nutrient-dense diet is a critical component of any treatment plan
- Food allergies and sensitivities are frequently the cause of unusual or difficult to treat medical issues and can easily be addressed
- Today’s children are alarmingly over-medicated and the long-term side effects of these medications are largely unknown.
- Once underlying health and nutritional issues are addressed, most children can be treated without prescription medications
- It is always easier to reverse health challenges that are relatively recent in onset, but it is never too late to achieve better health!
What to expect from your first visit:
We allow 110 minutes for new patient visits. Because most of our patients have significant medical challenges, this time is necessary to obtain a detailed history, review previous medical records, and conduct a physical examination. In all honesty, the current medical system has failed most of our patients. More comprehensive visits are needed to understand each patient’s unique constellation of symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan.
To make the best use of your appointment time, please bring the following documents:
1. Completed new patient questionnaire
2. Copies of any important medical records and laboratory results. We do not want to waste valuable appointment time making photocopies of records.
3. A list of any prescription medications and exact dosages
4. Printout of the supplement facts of any nutritional supplements. If you prefer, you can bring the supplements to your appointment.
5. A recent photograph: This will help us remember you or your child when test results come in and when you call our office.
6. Vaccination record
7. Growth charts
Due to the chemical sensitivities of many of our clients, we ask that everyone attending the appointment refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, and scented lotions the day of your appointment. Likewise, many of our patients have food allergies and sensitivities and need to be protected from accidental exposure. Feel free to bring a water bottle to your appointment, but please refrain from other beverages and limit snacks to items that are gluten, casein, corn, soy, and nut-free.
Our Financial Policy:
Because insurance coding is not designed for extended visits, nutritional and metabolic screening, or preventative health measures, we do not accept insurance. Payment is due at the time of service. If requested, we will provide treatment and diagnostic codes for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. We do not accept Medicare or Medicaid and would be considered out of network by most insurance companies.