How do I decide which supplements and health technologies are worth my time and money? Discover the 10 questions I ask before I use or recommend anything.

When you’re a parent searching for ways to support your child’s health, it can be overwhelming.

There are supplements, therapies, devices, technologies, practitioners, protocols, and products everywhere you look. Each one may come with impressive testimonials, promising research, or claims that it could make a difference.

But how do you know what is truly worth your time, money, and attention?

As an autism specialist with decades of experience in holistic health and working with families, I have learned that I can’t simply look at a product and ask, “Does this sound good?”

Before I consider adding a supplement, health technology, or other product to my program, I do my own research and evaluation.

I look at the science. I investigate the company. I look at how the product is made. I consider safety, quality, cost, ease of use, and whether it is genuinely practical for the families I serve. 

Because something can be innovative, popular, or expensive—and still not be the right quality or the right fit for every individual and their unique needs.

Most importantly, I ask whether it makes sense. And I don’t just recommend something and send families on their way. When I believe in a product or technology, I use it myself and share it with my family so I can have firsthand experience with it and understand how it fits into real life.

I like to approach anything in life with an open mind. I can’t even count how many potentially valuable options I may have missed if I hadn’t been open to looking into it further and trying them for myself, because first-hand experience is important to me too. 

Here are 10 of the questions I ask before I trust 

1. Is There a Scientific Rationale Behind It?

The first question I ask is: Does this make scientific and biological sense?

I have a very curious mind. I’m interested in understanding how something is supposed to work.

What is the proposed mechanism? What biological pathway or process is involved? Is there credible research supporting the underlying science?

I don’t believe that one study or one testimonial is enough to make a decision. I want to look at the bigger picture.

I also consider what type of evidence exists.

Is there peer-reviewed research? Human research? Laboratory research? Research on the specific product or technology? Or is the evidence primarily based on anecdotal reports?

These are all different levels of evidence, and I believe it’s important to understand the difference.

When I evaluate something new, I want to know not only what the company says it does, but also whether the science behind the concept is reasonable and supported by evidence.

2. How Is the Product or Technology Made?

Quality matters.

With a supplement, I want to know about the ingredients, sourcing, manufacturing, testing, and quality-control processes.

With health technology, I want to understand how the technology is created, how it is designed to work, and whether there are appropriate quality standards in place.

I look for transparency.

Where is it manufactured? What standards are followed? How is quality controlled? Are there independent tests or other ways to verify quality?

The more I learn about how something is created, the more confident I can be in evaluating whether it deserves consideration.

3. Who Is Behind the Company?

I don’t just look at the product.

I look at the people behind the product.

Who founded the company? What is their background? Why did they create this product or technology?

I want to know whether the company appears to be genuinely committed to developing something of value or whether the primary focus seems to be marketing.

I also look at how the company communicates.

Are they transparent? Do they make reasonable claims? Do they acknowledge what is known and what is still being researched?

To me, integrity matters.

I want to feel confident not only in what a company is selling, but also in the people and principles behind it.

4. Is It Safe?

Safety is always an important part of my evaluation.

I consider the known safety information, potential risks, contraindications, and possible interactions.

I also consider who will be using it.

Is it appropriate for children? Adults? Individuals with specific needs?

I am particularly interested in whether something is practical and appropriate for real-world use.

I never assume that because something is “natural” or “non-invasive,” it is automatically right for everyone.

Safety has to be considered on an individual basis.

5. How Bioavailable or Effective Is the Delivery Method?

This question can look different depending on what I’m evaluating.

With a supplement, I want to know how well the body can absorb and utilize the ingredients.

What form are the nutrients in? Is it easy to use? Does the body have to digest them? Are there factors that may affect absorption? Is the dose impactful?

With a health technology, I may ask a different question:

How does the technology deliver its intended effect?

For example, a phototherapy patch is fundamentally different from an oral supplement. It doesn’t work by providing nutrients or compounds to the body in the way a supplement does. Instead, it uses a non-invasive approach involving reflected light and specialized pattern designed to interact with the body’s own processes. It’s unique delivery approach based on the technology behind the patch.

So I don’t evaluate every product using exactly the same checklist.

The categories may differ, but the principle is the same: I want to understand how it is supposed to work and whether there is a reasonable basis for believing that the body can respond to it.

6. Is It Non-Invasive and Practical?

When I’m considering something for myself or my autism program, I ask:

Can families realistically use this?

Is it invasive?

Does it require injections or complicated procedures?

Does it require frequent appointments?

Can it be used at home?

Is it well tolerated?

These considerations matter.

Families are already juggling appointments, therapies, school, work, meals, supplements, and everything else that comes with daily life.

A product may be scientifically interesting, but if it is too difficult to use consistently, it may not be practical for the family.

That’s why I pay attention to how something fits into everyday life.

7. Is It Easy to Use?

Ease of use is not just about convenience.

It’s about consistency.

If something requires a complicated protocol, multiple doses throughout the day, special preparation, or a process that is difficult for a child to tolerate, that can become a hindrance.

I want to know:

Can a person easily understand how to use it?

Can it realistically become part of a family’s routine?

Can the family maintain it consistently?

The best intervention in the world won’t be helpful if a family can’t realistically implement it.

8. Is the Cost Reasonable for the Value?

Price is important—but I don’t look at price alone.

I look at value.

What does it cost to use this product or technology over time?

Is the cost reasonable compared with what it offers?

Could one product or technology potentially support multiple aspects of a person’s overall health journey, reducing the need to invest in numerous separate products or approaches?

I also consider whether it could complement the other things a family is already doing and potentially help them get more from their overall wellness plan.

In some cases, the most valuable option isn’t necessarily the least expensive product. It may be the one that offers the greatest overall value, is easy to use consistently, and can become a meaningful part of a family’s long-term approach.

My goal is always to be thoughtful about the financial investment I ask families to make. At the same time, I want to look beyond the initial price tag and consider the bigger picture: Could this technology or product provide enough value, versatility, and support to potentially help families simplify their approach, reduce the need for multiple separate interventions, or make the other things they are already doing more effective?

Ultimately, I’m looking for something that I believe has the potential to provide meaningful value—not simply something that is inexpensive.

Because sometimes, investing in the right tool can be more valuable in the long run than spending money on multiple products or approaches that don’t provide the results or benefits a family is looking for.

Parents should never feel that they have to purchase every product available to them. When I recommend a product or technology I do it because I genuinely believe it will make a difference in their overall plan and health goals.

9. Does It Address a Genuine Need?

This is where I start asking a bigger question:

Why would I add this to my program in the first place?

What need does it address?

What gap does it potentially fill?

Does it offer something that isn’t already being addressed through nutrition, lifestyle, foundational health support, or other parts of the program?

Does it provide a different avenue for supporting the body?

This is particularly important when evaluating a health technology.

A technology doesn’t have to replace everything else to be valuable. It may offer a different approach that can complement other strategies.

For example, a technology that is non-invasive and easy to use at home may be particularly interesting to me because it could provide families with another option that fits into their daily lives.

The question isn’t simply, “Is this a good product?”

The question is:

Is there a reason this product or technology belongs in the overall approach I’m using with families?

10. Does It Make Sense for the Families I Serve?

Ultimately, this is the question that brings everything together.

I ask:

Does the science make sense?

Is the quality there?

Is the company trustworthy?

Is it safe?

Is the delivery method appropriate?

Is it practical?

Is it affordable?

Does it address a genuine need?

And does it fit into the bigger picture?

For me, this is where I look at the whole person and the whole family.

I don’t believe there is one product that is right for every person or every family.

Every individual is unique, however, some products and technologies meet, and in many ways exceeds, the criteria I look for.

When I find something that checks enough of these boxes, I become interested in learning more.

An Example: Evaluating a Phototherapy Patch Technology

Now, I want to take this one step further. I want to show you what this process actually looks like in practice. One of the technologies I’ve spent significant time researching, personally using, and evaluating is LifeWave’s phototherapy patch technology.

I don’t evaluate a technology like this in exactly the same way I would evaluate a supplement.

With a supplement, I might focus heavily on the ingredients, dosage, form, absorption, and bioavailability.

With a phototherapy technology, I am looking at different questions.

How does the technology work?

What is the proposed mechanism?

What research is available?

How is the product manufactured?

What is the company’s history?

Who is behind the company?

What does the technology offer that is different from a traditional technology or supplement?

How easy is it to use?

Is it non-invasive?

Can it be incorporated into a family’s daily routine?

Is it affordable?

And most importantly, does it make sense as a potential addition to the overall approach I use with families?

That’s why I believe it’s important to understand that supplements and health technologies are not interchangeable.

They may work through very different pathways and delivery methods.

But I can use the same  principles to evaluate both.

I want to understand the science. 

I want to investigate the company.

Learn who is behind the company and the technology.

I want to look at quality and safety.

I want to consider how the product or technology is delivered.

I want to understand the cost.

And I want to determine whether it offers something meaningful that could potentially benefit the families I serve.

Why This Matters to Me

When I recommend or introduce something into my program, I take that responsibility seriously.

Families are investing their time, energy, hope, and often their hard-earned money into finding ways to support their children.

I don’t want to add something simply because it’s popular.

I don’t want to add something because everyone else is talking about it.

And I don’t want to recommend something based solely on a compelling testimonial.

I want to do my homework.

I want to research the technology or product.

I want to look beyond the marketing.

I want to understand the science and the quality.

And I want to ask the most important question of all:

Does this make sense for the families I serve?

That is the standard I strive to use when evaluating new supplements, technologies, and products for my program.

Because my goal isn’t to give families more things to buy.

My goal is to help families find the right tools, the right information, and the right strategies to support their journey—while making thoughtful, informed decisions along the way.

And when I find something that I believe is worth exploring, I want to be able to explain why I believe it deserves consideration.

That’s what I believe parents deserve.

After doing this kind of research and evaluation, one of the technologies that I have found to meet—and in many ways exceed—the criteria that I look for is LifeWave’s phototherapy patch technology.

I’ve spent time researching the technology, looking at the science and the company behind it, and considering how it fits into the bigger picture of what I teach families. 

Another very important factor for me is using the technology myself and sharing it with my family. After using it personally for over a year and sharing it with hundreds of families, I can honestly say that in my 39 years of experience in holistic health, I have rarely encountered a technology that has impressed me as much as this one in terms of the results I’ve personally experienced and witnessed. 

And just as importantly, it’s non-invasive, simple to use, and easy to incorporate into everyday life. I also believe it’s important to consider the overall value it provides and whether it’s a reasonable investment for the families I serve.

If you’d like to learn more about the Lifewave phototherapy technology and why I’ve personally chosen to use it and incorporate it into my work, visit thrivingwithpatches.com.

I’ve shared more about the technology, and my experience with it there, and if you have questions, or you’re not sure whether it’s right for you or your family, there’s also a link there to schedule a call with me. I’m happy to answer your questions and help you learn more so you can make an informed decision for yourself.

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This is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat. Every child’s level of recovery is different. No two people are the same. It is never implied that all children will have the same outcome. Results are all based on individual biology and the work that is done. This process takes time and various steps, effort and resources need to be weighed. Our programs are intended to help you become more knowledgeable and guide you to help bring your child a better quality of life, whatever that may be. We want to help by giving great content, direction and strategies that move you forward. Nothing on this page or any of our websites is a promise or guarantee of results or future outcomes. The results on this page and any of our websites are not typical or promised. In fact, there will be people who purchase this and other programs and never put the work into implementing the strategies taught and therefore will achieve little to no results. Our more detailed earnings disclaimer, privacy policy, and terms and conditions for this program and website can be accessed via the links below. We hold ourselves (and you) to a high standard of integrity. We are cheering you on every step of the way.