Tarpon Springs Pediatrics, Carlos A. Hidalgo, MD

11/21/2025

Autism & Nutrients
Autism is a complex biochemical pattern involving detoxification, neurotransmitter synthesis, redox balance, mitochondrial efficiency, inflammation control, and nutrient transport. When these systems fall behind, the brain becomes overwhelmed, the gut becomes reactive, and behavior reflects the child’s underlying biochemistry.

Most children diagnosed with autism share a predictable set of genetic variants that change how they use nutrients, respond to stress, clear toxins, and regulate their nervous system. These variants do not “cause” autism, but they create higher nutritional demands that the body cannot meet on its own. When these pathways are understood and supported, the child’s development, communication, and sensory tolerance often improve.

I analyze genes like GULOP, SLC23A1, MTHFR, MAOA, PEMT, SLC6A4, and NDUFS7 because they impact core biological functions: serotonin regulation, methylation, vitamin C transport, mitochondrial ATP production, oxidative stress control, bile flow, and detoxification. These are the same systems that influence speech, sensory processing, gut health, emotional balance, inflammation, immune function, and neurological development.

This is why some children experience sensory overload, chronic inflammation, gut issues, anxiety, fatigue, and difficulty with emotional regulation. Their genes are not dysfunctional. They simply require more targeted nutrients to operate normally. Vitamin C, niacin, magnesium, choline, B vitamins, phospholipids, amino acids, and mitochondrial support nutrients can make a profound difference when matched to the underlying genetic pattern.

This approach is not guessing. It is not symptom-based. It is precision nutrition. When you understand how a child’s genes shape their biochemistry, you can support the exact pathways that need help and reduce the load on the systems that are struggling.

Autism is not a lack of potential. It is often a lack of biochemical support. And once you understand the genetic patterns, everything changes.

Health Co.
Via

11/20/2025

The Longest Table event in Tarpon Springs ❤️

Join us for The Longest Table, hosted by the Tarpon Springs Downtown District Main Street!
Sunday, November 16 | Tarpon Avenue | 1–3 PM
Hundreds of residents, city leaders, business owners, students, and community partners will come together for an outdoor, family-friendly lunch designed to bring our community closer.
Bring your own meal, take a seat at the table, and connect with new faces and familiar ones as we share time, stories, and conversation together.
What to Expect:
Shared tables – bring your own meal and join others to connect and be part of the community.
Interactive community booths – local organizations sharing resources and initiatives.
To-go options @ local restaurants – easy takeout options prepared for the event.
Free food option – available for anyone unable to provide a meal.
Donation opportunity – support Shop with a Cop, helping Tarpon P.D. give back this Christmas season.
Sunday, November 16 | 1–3 PM
Tarpon Avenue between Alt 19 & Safford Ave
Learn more, RSVP, or volunteer here:
https://forms.gle/MZjaLeFNmEDo8hJ27
Questions? Contact us at tarponspringsdowntowndistrict@gmail.com

11/20/2025

Get helpful and practical advice on how to parent a defiant child, an issue most parents deal with at one time or another. Tap the link in the first comment for more. ⬇️

11/17/2025

What reading to a one year old looks like!

11/17/2025

Why is reading to your baby a good thing?

Reading to babies offers a wealth of benefits that go beyond mere entertainment. It significantly boosts language development, allowing infants to absorb diverse sounds and words that help shape their language skills. By hearing various words and phrases, babies build a strong foundation for understanding how language works, setting them on the path to effective communication.

Engagement with books also enhances cognitive skills. Through stories, babies are introduced to concepts such as numbers, shapes, and colors, stimulating their imagination and creativity. This early exposure lays the groundwork for critical thinking as they grow.

Moreover, reading helps to strengthen emotional bonds. Sharing stories creates a nurturing environment, fostering a deep connection between caregiver and baby. This quality time not only cultivates trust but also makes little ones feel cherished and secure.

Regular reading sessions also improve attention span. Babies learn to focus on the narrative, captivated by the rhythm of your voice and the illustrations on the pages. This practice is instrumental in developing their listening skills.

In addition to cognitive and emotional benefits, reading fosters social skills. Through the interactions found within stories, babies begin to recognize emotions and social cues, gaining insights into relationships that are vital as they grow older.

Establishing a routine that includes reading provides a sense of stability for babies. Knowing that storytime is a regular part of their day can create a comforting atmosphere, allowing them to feel grounded and secure.

Incorporating reading into daily life nurtures development and creates lasting memories. By making this simple practice a priority, you invite adventure, learning, and connection into your world together.

11/17/2025

11/17/2025

Children under 3 years old do not need socialization with other kids. What they truly need is you. During these early years, the brain is rapidly developing, and the strongest foundation for emotional and cognitive growth comes from secure, consistent interactions with a parent or primary caregiver.

At this stage, a child learns trust, safety, and emotional regulation through your presence, voice, touch, and responsiveness. Playdates or group activities cannot replace the deep attachment and brain wiring that occur when you respond to their cues, comfort them, and engage in one-on-one play.

Simple activities like reading, talking, singing, and gentle play help the brain form connections that will support future social skills. When children feel safe and valued in their relationship with you, they are better prepared to interact with others when the time is right.

Prioritizing quality time and attention in these early years is more important than arranging social encounters. Your presence, patience, and responsiveness create the secure base every young child needs to grow confidently, emotionally healthy, and socially ready for the future.

11/13/2025

Fewer teens are using drugs-but experts say there is another big threat to watch for.

https://www.parents.com/fewer-teens-are-using-drugs-but-experts-say-theres-another-big-threat-to-watch-for-11841173?

Gen Alpha, aka kids born between 2010 and 2024, and older teens have a different vice, according to experts.

11/13/2025

Games to Help Kids Practice Following Directions

These games help kids develop listening skills, improve focus, and learn to follow directions, all through the power of play.

11/11/2025

🌟 Honoring Our Heroes This Veterans Day 🌟

At our office, we would like to take a moment this Veterans’ Day to express our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Your courage, dedication, and sacrifices have paved the way for the freedoms and opportunities we cherish every day.

As a pediatric office, we understand the importance of community, safety, and the future. The sacrifices made by our veterans ensure that our children can grow up in a world filled with hope and possibility. We are profoundly thankful for your service and the unwavering commitment you have shown to protect our nation.

Today, we honor not only those who have served but also the families who have supported them. Your strength and resilience are an inspiration to us all.

Let’s take this opportunity to support our veterans and their families in any way we can. Whether through a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or involvement in community initiatives, every small act of appreciation makes a difference.

Thank you, veterans, for your service. You are our heroes, and we are forever grateful. ❤️

11/11/2025

Last chance to learn about adoption this year! ✨
Join us for our final Information Session of the year on Wednesday, November 12 at 6pm via Zoom. Bring your questions, we’ll bring the roadmap to adoption. 💕👉 Register here: http://bit.ly/3DhhTq