About this episode

Rachel Fulginiti discusses holistic care and support for adopted children with Dr. Aaron Hartman, focusing on trauma, nutrition, and medical advocacy.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Rachel sits down with functional medicine physician and adoptive father Dr. Aaron Hartman to explore how early trauma, environmental factors, and holistic healthcare can shape the lives of foster and adopted children. Dr. Hartman shares the story of adopting his daughters through foster care and how his journey parenting a child with complex medical needs transformed his medical practice. Together, Rachel and Dr. Hartman discuss navigating the healthcare system, advocating for special-needs children, and practical ways families can support neurodivergent kids—emotionally, nutritionally, and medically. This conversation offers hope, validation, and actionable guidance for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents navigating complex challenges. 🌱 In This Episode, We Discuss: Dr. Hartman’s journey adopting and his challenges with the system - being wrongful accused and having to defend himself without being defensive and taking it personally. Parenting children with medical and developmental challenges Navigating Child Protective Services and medical advocacy Why early intervention can change a child’s life trajectory Functional and…

People in this episode

Host: Rachel Fulginiti

Guest: Dr. Aaron Hartman

Topics covered

• adoption
• holistic healthcare
• foster care
• special needs
• neurodiversity
• medical advocacy

Keywords

• foster care
• adoption
• holistic healthcare
• neurodivergent kids
• medical needs
• child advocacy
• nutrition
• trauma

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• Money, Foster Care & the Real Cost of Growing Your Family (with Dylan Snowden) · April 7, 2026 · 50 min
• Single Mom by Choice While Fostering - Life update with Maryanne Grant · April 2, 2026 · 54 min
• Play Therapy, Trauma & Healing: What Foster & Adoptive Parents Need to Know · March 24, 2026 · 31 min
• 21 Kids Later: The Truth About Foster Care, Loss, and Adoption · March 17, 2026 · 52 min

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