At Cortica, we believe that the most effective care approach begins with seeing each child as a whole person. We combine all of our services to support a child more completely and successfully.
We go beyond traditional ABA by addressing every part of your child’s health that influences learning and development. Since 90% of autistic individuals have at least one co-occurring condition, our Whole-Child model treats the full picture—mind, body, and beyond—to create lasting progress.
We treat every level of a child’s development to promote lifelong growth and developmental success.
Roots
Home, Family, Community, School
A child's foundation begins with the people and environments that surround them. We partner with parents, caregivers, educators, and communities to build a consistent, supportive circle around every child.
When families feel supported, children feel safe—and real progress begins.
Trunk
Brain & Body Systems
Healthy development starts from within. Our medical team addresses the biological systems that influence learning, behavior, and mood. By understanding your child's unique biology, we can personalize treatments that strengthen both body and brain.
When the body works in harmony, the mind can flourish.
Branches
Brain Networks in Action
These are the networks that power every skill—from focus and movement to connection and communication. We combine evidence-based therapies to strengthen these pathways, helping your child gain confidence and independence step by step.
Every connection built in the brain unlocks new possibilities.
Leaves
Lifelong Learning & Daily Skills
As your child's core skills grow, they begin to explore, connect, and give back. We nurture these abilities through play, social interaction, and real-world practice—helping your child develop independence and a sense of purpose.
Growth means more than milestones—it's learning to live, love, and belong.
Sunlight
Joy and Well-Being
Joy is the ultimate goal of development—when a child can express themselves freely, form meaningful connections, and engage with the world with curiosity and happiness. Every layer of care we provide is designed to bring your child closer to this feeling.
When the whole child thrives, joy naturally follows.
Cortica’s Whole Child model leads to dramatically better outcomes
A recent study found that more therapy hours don’t guarantee success—personalized, whole child care does.
Cortica is one of the few autism care organizations with outcomes published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, reflecting our commitment to evidence-based, transparent care.
65% of children at Cortica improved across multiple areas of development—far surpassing outcomes from typical community programs.
We go beyond ABA’s focus on only surface-level behaviors
Traditional ABA-only programs focus narrowly on behavior. Cortica’s model goes beyond that, combining medical, developmental, and behavioral treatment to address every factor that supports your child’s growth.
We create a complete therapy program for your child by combining the ten essential elements of whole-child care.
Our world-class clinical team, led by pediatricians and neurologists, addresses the full range of each child's needs
Genetics & Metabolism
Some children with autism have underlying genetic or metabolic differences that, once identified, can open the door to more personalized and effective care.
We recommend genetic and metabolic testing to uncover possible causes of your child’s autism, which can reveal specific genetic syndrome diagnoses (ex. Angelman Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, and Fragile X Syndrome) or biochemical pathways that may benefit from targeted treatments like dietary changes, supplements, or medications.
Seizures
Research studies show that about a quarter to a third of children diagnosed with autism will experience seizures—sometimes so subtle they're hard to detect—and these can quietly interfere with learning and development.
That’s why we recommend an EEG (a simple, painless test that measures brain activity) for all children with autism. If seizures are identified, we offer a range of effective treatments—including dietary changes, better sleep strategies, medications, and other therapies—to support your child’s brain health and development.
Sleep
Sleep problems (like trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, and waking up too early) affect up to 80% of children with autism and can seriously impact their mood, behavior, and development.
Sleep challenges can be caused by hormonal imbalances, gastrointestinal issues, airway obstructions, or even bedtime routines and environment. At Cortica, we identify and treat these root causes to help your child get the restful sleep their growing brain and body need.
GI Symptoms
About half of children with autism experience gastrointestinal symptoms—like constipation or reflux—that can affect behavior, mood, and learning.
If your child has ongoing GI issues, we may recommend tests like stool analysis or imaging to uncover the cause. With the right dietary changes, supplements, or medical treatments, even behaviors that haven’t responded to therapy alone can start to improve once gut health is addressed.
Medication & Diets
Many children with autism are picky eaters, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies that impact their development, behavior, and overall health.
From addressing nutrient deficiencies to managing symptoms with carefully chosen medications, our team helps families take an evidence-based, realistic approach to treatment—one that balances benefits, side effects, and what’s actually doable in everyday life.
Mental Health Symptoms
Children with autism often experience anxiety, inattention, or mood changes—which can sometimes cause more difficulty than the core symptoms of autism.
Through screening tools and close observation, we help identify these symptoms early and offer a range of effective supports—from counseling and supplements to medication—so your child can feel more balanced, focused, and emotionally well.
Social Communication
Many children with autism need support building social and communication skills—like making eye contact, taking turns, or forming friendships.
Therapies like speech-language, occupational, and behavioral therapy help build these skills by setting just-right goals and guiding your child through the developmental building blocks—such as motor coordination, language, and sensory processing—that support connection and communication. With the right support, your child can continue progressing to greater and greater levels of skill over time.
Behavior
Therapy helps children with autism build everyday skills and reduce challenging behaviors—but real progress happens when families are actively involved.
Therapies are most effective when families are actively involved—not just outside of sessions, but during them. When you participate in your child’s therapy, you learn how to apply the same strategies in daily life, helping your child’s progress carry over into real-world situations and grow over time.
Sensory-Motor
Sensory and motor challenges are common in autism and can affect everything from speech to balance, behavior, and daily routines.
Therapies like occupational, physical, and music therapy help strengthen these foundational skills by supporting your child’s ability to process sensations, move with coordination, and transition from repetitive to purposeful actions.
Child & Family Counseling
Autism affects the whole family, which is why caring for your own well-being is just as important as supporting your child’s.
Whether it’s through counseling, support groups, or simply taking time for self-care, nurturing your own mental health helps create the calm, connected environment your child needs to thrive. Whole-child care works best when the whole family feels supported—and you don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
Stories from parents like you.
Every day we see children soar to new heights. Here are some of their stories — as told by the people who love them.
Dr. Goh, Cortica’s Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, has authored a range of insightful resources on the whole-child care model to help families understand and navigate their autism journey.
Every child deserves care that sees the full picture of who they are, not just one part.
Dr. Suzanne Goh, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer
Every child deserves care that sees the full picture of who they are, not just one part.
Dr. Suzanne Goh, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer
Together, we can unlock joy
The first step to care with Cortica is scheduling a Clinical Intake Visit. We get started on day 1 with a comprehensive billable consultation designed to give you clarity and direction.
During this appointment:
Our specialists will listen to your child’s story and your family’s goals.
We’ll complete a developmental and medical review.
You’ll leave with a personalized roadmap for care, including therapies, support options, and insurance guidance.
