☀️ Kenzo
I go to lots of appointments. Sometimes I don't like the waiting rooms. But my doctors are really nice and they know about brains like mine! Mama comes to all my appointments and takes notes on her phone. She says the notes are very important.
💗 Mama
Figuring out who to see — and in what order — was genuinely one of the hardest things about this journey. There's no single roadmap. You're often piecing together a care team from referrals, parent groups, and sheer persistence. I want to share what we learned so you don't have to start from zero.
Building Kenzo's care team
💙 Daddy
The Philippine healthcare system has excellent specialists, but they're not evenly distributed, and those experienced with biomedical approaches to ASD are harder to find. Here's the order that made sense for us, and why.
🧑⚕️ Developmental Pediatrician
Diagnoses and manages developmental conditions including ASD. Coordinates therapy plans, monitors milestones, can prescribe and refer. This is where you begin — for formal diagnosis, baseline assessment, and a treatment roadmap.
💗 Mama
Our developmental pediatrician was the anchor of the whole team. She didn't dismiss our questions about biomedical approaches — she engaged with them. Finding a developmental ped who is open to integrative approaches is worth the extra effort. If you feel dismissed, it is okay to seek a second opinion.
🧬 Functional Medicine Pediatrician
Looks at root causes through metabolic, nutritional, and immunological testing. Takes a biomedical approach alongside conventional medicine — FRAA testing, Organic Acids Test, targeted supplementation, dietary protocols.
💙 Daddy
This was the piece we were missing for the first two years. A functional medicine pediatrician asks different questions — not just "what are the symptoms?" but "what is driving them at the cellular level?" Dr. Raymond Escalona of CreateHealth was the entry point for our biomedical testing. That connection came through Maya Forest School.
🥗 Nutritionist / Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian
Essential when following any restrictive diet like GFCFSF. A nutritionist ensures your child is meeting all their nutritional needs, can identify deficiencies early, and can make meal planning practical and culturally relevant.
💗 Mama
I want to be honest: we initially skipped this step and tried to manage the diet ourselves. That was a mistake. A qualified nutritionist — ideally one familiar with the GFCFSF diet — saved us months of guessing and helped us make sure Kenzo was getting everything he needed despite the restrictions.
⚡ Metabolic or Mitochondrial Specialist
If OAT results or other biomarkers suggest mitochondrial dysfunction, a specialist in pediatric metabolic disorders can guide targeted supplementation and monitoring. Not always necessary, but important if your functional medicine team identifies significant metabolic findings.
Tips for your first appointment
💗 Mama
I've been to dozens of these appointments. Here's what consistently makes them more productive:
- Bring video clips of behaviors — what you describe in words is often more powerful when the doctor can see it
- Bring a written timeline of developmental milestones and any regressions
- List all current medications and supplements with dosages
- Write down your questions beforehand — you will forget them in the room
- Bring someone with you to take notes while you focus on Kenzo
- Ask specifically about FRAA testing and the Organic Acids Test if biomedical evaluation interests you
💙 Daddy
And remember: you are your child's best advocate. You spend more time with your child than any specialist ever will. Your observations matter. A good doctor will listen to you. Don't let anyone dismiss your concerns — pursue until you find someone who takes them seriously.
📌 Doctor directory coming soon
We're building a list of specific doctors and specialists in the Philippines experienced with biomedical approaches to ASD — including locations, what to expect, and telemed availability. Check back soon.