FM Health Naturally, founded by Samantha Del Valle, is reshaping the landscape of autism care by merging functional medicine with a family-centered approach. The organization’s mission is to provide a holistic, scientifically-grounded alternative to traditional autism treatments, focusing not only on the child with autism but also on the health and well-being of the entire family.
Recognizing that autism is not solely a behavioral issue, FM Health Naturally views the condition as a complex interplay of biological imbalances, sensory processing differences, and familial dynamics. This perspective drives the organization’s unique approach, which seeks to address the physiological factors potentially influencing autism while supporting family systems and promoting sustainable health for parents and caregivers.
FM Health Naturally’s flagship program, The Autism Path: Ascend Beyond; Embrace Within, is a 16-week intensive program designed to provide families with the tools and resources they need to manage autism through functional medicine. This program goes beyond the typical behavioral approaches often used to address autism, offering personalized intervention strategies based on comprehensive assessments of overall health and well-being. The program helps families address common issues such as gut health, inflammation, and nutritional support, which some studies suggest could influence behavioral and cognitive functions. However, it is important to note that the full extent of these interventions’ effectiveness should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
What sets FM Health Naturally apart is the organization’s focus on the entire family system. Parents often face significant emotional and physical strain when caring for a child with autism, and this can lead to burnout and strained family dynamics. Understanding the importance of maintaining a balanced family system, FM Health Naturally provides support not only for the child with autism but for parents, siblings, and the family as a whole.
The organization’s approach includes five pillars of transformation: comprehensive family assessment, sensory-smart environment design, neurodivergent communication, sibling support, and parent preservation. These pillars ensure that all aspects of family life are addressed, from creating home environments that support regulation for all family members to ensuring that parents have the tools they need to prioritize their own health and well-being.
In addition to its remote in-person programs, FM Health Naturally offers its participants access to a unique digital ecosystem through NaturalHealth.VIP, an exclusive private community and phone app. This platform provides on-demand resources, peer support forums, and direct access to practitioners, helping families stay connected and supported even outside of their scheduled program sessions. The app’s features also include a searchable resource library, recipe databases, meal planning tools, and live Q&A sessions, ensuring that families have continuous access to helpful information and guidance.
Samantha Del Valle’s personal journey as a mother of three neurodivergent children has been the driving force behind the creation of FM Health Naturally. As a certified Naturopath and Functional Medicine Provider, Samantha’s experiences navigating the conventional medical system and the lack of comprehensive care for her children inspired her to create a new approach to autism support. She states, “When my youngest child was diagnosed with autism, we were offered behavioral therapy and medication—nothing that addressed why her body was in constant fight-or-flight mode. After discovering how profound the gut-brain connection was in his case, I became determined to create a more comprehensive approach for families like ours.”
FM Health Naturally’s programs are rooted in functional medicine principles, utilizing a range of functional medicine and holistic assessments to help uncover potential health issues such as inflammation, gut imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies. By exploring these underlying health factors, the organization aims to help families understand the complexities of autism and support children with autism through more comprehensive and evidence-based strategies. However, it is important to remember that the effectiveness of these interventions varies from individual to individual, and families should work closely with their healthcare providers to determine the most suitable approach for their needs.
The organization’s family-centered model also emphasizes the importance of parental health, which is often overlooked in traditional autism treatments. Parents are provided with sustainable self-care strategies, helping them prevent burnout and maintain their energy levels, which is critical for the overall success of the family system. The goal is to ensure that parents have the emotional and physical resources they need to support their child’s development and manage the stresses of caregiving.
FM Health Naturally’s holistic approach is proving to be highly effective. Families who complete the organization’s programs report improvements in both the child’s and the parents’ health and well-being. Children often experience reductions in behavioral challenges, improvements in sleep, and progress in social engagement and emotional regulation. Parents report improved energy levels, better sleep, and a reduction in anxiety and depression, leading to a greater sense of well-being and increased confidence in their parenting.
The organization’s comprehensive approach also leads to improvements in the family dynamic. Families report enhanced communication, better resource distribution, and greater household harmony. In fact, many parents note that while they initially sought out FM Health Naturally to help their child, they found that the improvements in their own health and well-being were equally transformative for the family as a whole.
FM Health Naturally’s ability to offer a more integrated, family-wide approach is what truly sets it apart in the field of autism support. By focusing on both the child and the family, the organization ensures that families can experience long-term success and resilience. Parents are not only equipped with the tools to help their child thrive but are also given the support they need to maintain their own health and well-being.
FM Health Naturally’s founder, Samantha Del Valle, is passionate about continuing to raise awareness about the importance of a holistic, family-centered approach to autism care. “The physical suffering of children with autism often goes unaddressed, and the emotional toll on families is rarely recognized,” she explains. “At FM Health Naturally, we are committed to providing families with a comprehensive roadmap that addresses the complexities of autism, not just for the child but for everyone in the family.”
For more information on FM Health Naturally and its family-centered approach to autism support, visit FM Health Naturally. Stay connected through social media: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
