Services for Children

Integrative Medicine consults are appropriate for children of all ages, and can benefit both children who are generally healthy as well as children living with a chronic illness.

Many parents are seeking more in-depth information on topics such as: nutrition, growth, sleep, stress and stress management, exercise, safe supplements and vitamins, and environmental exposures in their children. A growing number of parents are also searching for accurate information about a complementary medicine or therapy they may be considering for their child.

Some examples of conditions where an integrative medicine approach, in conjunction with their ongoing treatment, has been shown to be effective in children living with chronic disease include: asthma, obesity, arthritis, diabetes, autism, ADHD, migraine headaches, chronic abdominal pain, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gastro-esophageal reflux, anxiety and depression. Children preparing for surgery or chemotherapy can also benefit from an integrative medicine approach to help them prepare and convalesce.

How does a Children's Integrative Medicine consult differ from what my general pediatrician offers?

An integrative medical consult for children is a specialty consult, and is different from a primary care pediatrician's services in the following ways:

  • The consult is much more time intensive than a regular pediatric visit, allowing for in-depth discussion of topics not usually covered in a routine pediatric visit.
  • Draws on the most up to date medical research in the rapidly evolving area of Integrative Medicine, which is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • Gives children and families an expanded set of treatment options to choose from.
  • Focuses on maximizing health, even if the child lives with a chronic illness.
  • Has a strong emphasis on education, with a goal of helping the child and family regain a feeling of control over their health care.

What ages of children does Dr. McClafferty see in consultation?

As a board certified pediatrician Dr. McClafferty is qualified to see children from birth through college age. She has broad experience with all age groups and with the full spectrum of childhood illness, from simple to complex.