Nutrition and wellness support for children and families with complex health needs | Autism, ADHD, Gut Health, Picky Eating
Nutrition and wellness support for children and families with complex health needs | Autism, ADHD, Gut Health, Picky Eating
The gut–brain connection plays a vital role in children’s focus, mood, digestion, and overall well-being. Stabilizing blood sugar with balanced meals helps prevent energy crashes and supports sustained attention throughout the day. Adequate protein intake supports neurotransmitter production, while key nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acid
The gut–brain connection plays a vital role in children’s focus, mood, digestion, and overall well-being. Stabilizing blood sugar with balanced meals helps prevent energy crashes and supports sustained attention throughout the day. Adequate protein intake supports neurotransmitter production, while key nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids help promote healthy brain development, learning, and emotional regulation, supporting optimal growth from the inside out.
Nutrition has a direct impact on behavior, attention, and emotional regulation. Artificial food dyes, excess sugar, ultra-processed foods, and additives such as MSG and high-fructose corn syrup can worsen hyperactivity, mood swings, and focus challenges in sensitive children. A functional pediatric nutrition approach focuses on reducing d
Nutrition has a direct impact on behavior, attention, and emotional regulation. Artificial food dyes, excess sugar, ultra-processed foods, and additives such as MSG and high-fructose corn syrup can worsen hyperactivity, mood swings, and focus challenges in sensitive children. A functional pediatric nutrition approach focuses on reducing dietary triggers while replacing them with whole, nutrient-dense foods that support brain health and nervous system balance. Through nutritional support, I help parents calm behavior, nourish the brain, and expand food variety - without pressure or power struggles.
Children frequently face unique nutrition challenges, including sensory sensitivities, limited diets, impulsive snacking, meal skipping, and reliance on carb- or dairy-heavy foods. Personalized nutrition plans are designed to meet each child’s individual needs, supporting balanced meals and snacks, improving nutrient intake, and gently ex
Children frequently face unique nutrition challenges, including sensory sensitivities, limited diets, impulsive snacking, meal skipping, and reliance on carb- or dairy-heavy foods. Personalized nutrition plans are designed to meet each child’s individual needs, supporting balanced meals and snacks, improving nutrient intake, and gently expanding food variety. This customized approach helps address picky eating, support growth, and promote long-term health.
Personalized nutrition coaching supports children’s energy, focus, and performance in school, sports, and daily life. By optimizing blood sugar balance, protein intake, and nutrient timing, functional nutrition strategies enhance stamina, recovery, and resilience. The result is improved physical performance, cognitive endurance, and overall well-being for growing children.
Therese is a functional and integrative registered dietitian (RDN) who believes deeply in natural living and whole-foods nutrition as the foundation for lifelong health. She takes a plant-forward, minimally processed approach, free from unnecessary additives, preservatives, and synthetic ingredients, and provides practical, realistic guidance that families can implement and sustain in everyday life.
Therese works with children and families locally and virtually, offering evidence-based nutrition support rooted in both science and nature.
Trained at Columbia University, with a background leading corporate wellness and performance-focused nutrition programs for Fortune 500 organizations, Therese now specializes in functional pediatric nutrition for children with picky eating, feeding and growth challenges, digestive conditions (constipation, IBS, IBD), food sensitivities, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and ADHD. Her personalized, root-cause nutrition plans are designed to support gut health, immune function, behavior, focus, and learning, helping children thrive.
What does a functional and integrative dietitian do?
A functional and integrative Registered Dietitian (RDN) takes a root-cause approach to nutrition, looking beyond symptoms to understand how food, digestion, blood sugar, nutrient status, and lifestyle affect health. This approach supports children, adolescents, families, and adults, using personalized, evidence-based strategies to improve energy, digestion, focus, behavior, and long-term wellness, without restrictive or one-size-fits-all diets.
Who do you work with?
I work with children, adolescents, and adults, including busy professionals and families seeking practical, functional nutrition support. My background includes many years supporting adults through corporate wellness programs with Fortune 500 companies, as well as working with children and families navigating picky eating, digestive issues, growth concerns, autism, ADHD, and overall wellness.
Do you work with families virtually?
Yes. I offer virtual nutrition counseling, which allows me to work with individuals and families regardless of location. Virtual care is often more effective for busy, dual-working households and professionals, offering flexibility, consistency, and real-world support without the stress of scheduling and attending in-person appointments.