Project Description (150 words max):

This proposal seeks funding to launch an early autism intervention initiative for children from underserved communities by establishing a partnership between the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG). Children from low-income and minority backgrounds are often diagnosed with autism up to 2.5 years later than their peers, delaying access to critical early interventions which could have a substantial positive effect on their future development. Barriers include limited healthcare access, cultural stigma, and provider shortages. This initiative will provide integrative, family-centered care at both Osher and ZSFG to reduce delays and improve developmental outcomes. Through targeted outreach, evidence-based supplement interventions, and culturally informed education, this pilot aims to increase early referrals, support families, and offer equitable access to integrative pediatric autism care.

Deliverables (Year 1):

• Provide integrative autism evaluations and care for an initial cohort of underserved patients.
• Designate clinic slots at ZSFG’s Clinica Buena Vida for autism-specific care.
• Provide referrals and guidance to help families access available support such as ABA, speech, and occupational therapy
• Increase referrals to the Osher Center for more complex autism presentations.
• Develop and distribute culturally relevant educational materials for families.
• Track and evaluate referral trends, symptom improvements, and caregiver satisfaction through surveys and chart reviews.

Impact on Osher Center Community:

• Expands Osher’s reach to  increase our services to  low-income and historically underserved pediatric populations.
• Strengthens Osher’s partnership with ZSFG, promoting integrative medicine equity across UCSF campuses.
• Builds a model for integrative autism care within safety-net systems, with potential for future scale-up.
• Supports Osher’s mission to innovate and lead in equitable, whole-person pediatric care.

Team Members and Roles:

• Dr. Sanford Newmark, MD (Osher Center) – Project Co-Lead. Provides integrative autism evaluations at Osher and supports development of care protocols.
• Dr. Fatima Barragan, MD (ZSFG & Osher Center) – Project Co-Lead. Coordinates patient triage and treatment at ZSFG, leads outreach, and supervises care delivery.
• Clinica Buena Vida Support Staff – Assist in patient scheduling, follow-up, and interpretation needs.
• Osher Pediatric Integrative Medicine Team – Collaborate on evaluation metrics, supplement guidance, and educational materials.