Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined
July Sedona Defenders Documentary Film Screening
Come to our screening of the award-winning documentary film of Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined.
Dive into a groundbreaking documentary that showcases the success of families and practitioners who are transforming the lives of children with autism by changing their diet and the environments where they play, learn, and live.
Q&A Panel with documentary producer/director Ryan Hetrick following the movie as well as with biomedical practitioners and a biomedical moms (including one featured in the movie) who has used a holistic approach to help her own children to thrive.
Schedule:
5 PM: Movie Screening
6 PM: Q&A Panel with Filmmaker and Biomedical Practitioners
About the Panelists
Ryan Hetrick, Documentary Filmmaker, Producer/Director
Dr. Shawn Centers, MD(H), DO (H), MH,FACOP, Professor of Pediatrics & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Chief Medical Officer, The Integrative HOPE Center of AZ
Samantha Malinski, BA, Biomedical mom, Founder, HEAL Verde Valley movement
Heidi Bonaroti, OTR/L, Biomedical mom featured in the film; Co-owner & Director of Vocational Rehab., Touchstone Rehabilitation
Julie Lapidus, MSc, MSc, LMT, Founder/CEO, Autism Evolution
Organic GFCF Snacks and Drinks
Organic GFCF snacks and refreshments will be available from Elevated Treats by Christina Gala.On the menu will be delicious savory and sweet treats made by a local retreat chef including Lemon Lime Mini Pies, Chips and Guacamole, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Iced Golden Milk, and Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade.
Panelists Biographies:
Ryan Hetrick, Documentary Filmmaker, Producer/Director
Ryan has worked in the behavioral therapy field with individuals on the autism spectrum for over 18 years, engaging with clients ranging in age from 2 to 40. In addition, he served as a neurocognitive specialist and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist for the 50+ population. His experience spans various environments, including homes, schools, and employment settings. After utilizing modalities such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Floortime, and others, Ryan gradually recognized that behavioral therapy should not be the sole focus for these conditions; rather, biomedical treatment must take precedence.
Throughout his career, Ryan came to a significant realization: while behavioral therapy has its merits, it should not stand alone as the primary treatment for autism spectrum conditions. Instead, he discovered that biomedical interventions should be the primary focus. A pivotal moment for Ryan occurred when a family he was working with began implementing dietary changes. The results were astonishing! Their child experienced remarkable improvements in vocabulary, eye contact, and overall social engagement—achievements that far surpassed anything that had been accomplished in their behavioral therapy sessions.
After years of working with people on the autism spectrum, it became abundantly clear to Ryan that dietary and biomedical therapies were making a profound and positive impact. Faced with skepticism from his immediate family, colleagues, and even other professionals about the transformative potential of these approaches, Ryan felt a deep motivation to share these inspiring success stories. This passion led to the creation of the documentary Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined, which aimed to illuminate the real-life benefits of these interventions.
Learn more about Ryan Hetrick here
Dr. Shawn Centers, MD(H), DO(H), MH,FACOP
– Professor of Pediatrics & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
– Chief Medical Officer, The Integrative HOPE Center of AZ
– Pediatrician, Licensed Homeopathic & Integrative Physician
– Director of Medical Education, AutismOne
Shawn K. Centers, MD(H), FACOP, BCIM, BCIP, is an Arizona licensed Homeopathic and Integrative Physician, the Director of Medical Education for AutismOne, and an internationally known expert and professor of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Centers maintains a specialized consulting practice with an emphasis on rare, difficult-to-treat, developmental and neurological disorders, including children with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, immune disorders (including Lyme Disease, PANDAS/PANS), learning disorders, attention deficit disorder, asthma, allergy, autism, traumatic brain injury, and rare diseases. He has exceptional skills in using Homeopathic & Integrative Medicine, Craniosacral Osteopathy, Energy Medicine, and Biomedical Approaches in finding health for patients. Dr. Centers is board certified in pediatrics, is a founding Diplomate of the American Board of Holistic and Integrative Medicine, and was the founding Chair of the Board of Integrative Pediatrics. He is a former Chief Resident in Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey. Dr. Centers was the lead author of the pediatrics section of Foundations in Osteopathic Medicine the official text of the American Osteopathic Association used at over 300 medical schools worldwide.
Dr. Centers has served as a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Touro University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, The Arizona College Of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as other osteopathic colleges in the United States and abroad. Dr. Centers is a Professor Of Pediatrics and Integrative Medicine for the Ontario Federation of Osteopathic Professionals and the Toronto Academy of Osteopathy. Dr. Centers is a certified Master Herbalist, Emotion Code Practitioner, Master Trainer of Neurolinguistic Programming and Time Line Therapy, Defeat Autism Now Doctor, Expert in Essential Oil and Aromatic Medicine, Silva UltraMind Trainer, and was the Founding President of the American Academy of Pediatric Osteopathy.
Although Dr. Centers sees patients of all backgrounds and conditions, Dr. Centers has received international and national recognition for his pioneering work with autistic and autistic spectrum disorder children. His use of cranial osteopathy combined with the use of biomedical approaches, therapeutic grade essential oils, homeopathy, diet and nutrition, energy medicine and the therapeutic use of sound and light. This pioneering approach has greatly advanced the care of many children with autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Centers has been recognized for his use of advanced energy medicine techniques including the development of Photobiomodulation (The Lumi Light), advanced sound therapy technology representing the latest innovation in neuroscience and psychoacoustic technology.
Dr. Centers is a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (FACOP), the American Association of Integrative Medicine (FAAIM), the American College of Integrative Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Pediatric Osteopathy. In addition to his medical degree, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Georgetown College. He studied herbal medicine under John R. Christopher. He has extensively studied the techniques of John Grinder, Richard Bandler, and Thad Everet James. Centers utilize the Time Line Therapy techniques developed by Tad James, PhD. Dr. Centers is also a Master Trainer of Neurolinguistic Programming and Time Therapy.
As a result of his innovative work in the field of pediatrics, The International Association of HealthCare Professionals (IAHCP) selected Dr. Centers to be featured in The Leading Physicians of the World. He has been honored as a “Top Pediatrician” by the International Association of Pediatricians (IAP), is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Pediatrics Council, and Lifetime member of the American Council of Pediatrics Specialists. Dr. Centers is also certified in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Time Line Therapy and has been awarded a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Cranial Osteopathy.
Learn more about Dr. Shawn Centers here:
Samantha Malinski, BA
– Biomedical mom
– Founder, HEAL Verde Valley movement
When her sons were experiencing neurodivergent symptoms, Samantha Malinski used biomedical interventions to help her children to thrive. During the panel, she will share about her experiences and what worked for her sons to provide encouragement and valuable insight to others seeking advice and support.
Founder of HEAL Verde Valley, Educator, Organic Land Care Advocate, Environmental Health Activist, and mother of two boys. With an educational background in Humanities, Anthropology, and Sociology, Samantha leverages her passion for environmental health, research, and advocacy to drive meaningful change. Samantha’s unique approach has inspired multiple homeowners’ associations, three cities, and over 200 golf courses to adopt organic, non-toxic herbicide practices.
Heidi Bonaroti, OTR/L
– Biomedical mom featured in the film
– Co-owner & Director of Vocational Rehab., Touchstone Rehabilitation
Heidi has been on this journey since 2007 when her son was diagnosed at age 3. It was like being hit by a freight train because nothing could have prepared me for this. Our baby boy was born nearly perfect, developed normally reaching all of his milestones but at 18 months, Ben’s immune system went off-line. He stopped talking, started rigid stimming behaviors, didn’t play with his toys like he used to, forgot he had a brother and his eye contact faded away.
An occupational therapist, Heidi was working in pediatrics and most of her caseload had an autism diagnosis. The kids on a gluten-free casein free diet. were doing the best so she tried it with Ben. Three weeks into the diet, he put his hand on the door, looked right at her and said, “want to go outside.” From that point forward, she knew there was a gut/brain connection and the diet was a spring board for what was to come. A few months later, she went to her first DAN (Defeat Autism Now) conference in Anaheim where she met Jenny McCarthy and her son Evan. That amazing warrior mother was confirmation that they were on the right track with the diet and other biomedical interventions they were about to try. She also met Dr. Jeff Bradstreet who became their doctor & established treatment plans & interventions that would be pivotal for Ben’s recovery.
She quit her job so she could be home ensuring Ben’s diet was optimal and to supervise/participate in the 25 hours a week of ABA therapy. She did everything she could to help other parents around her learn what she was learning. She became a rescue angel for Generation Rescue so she could pass the baton of hope with each parent she talked to. She had the honor & privilege to create a parent support group called “DAN Moms” & founded “Nepenthe Wellness” which served to help families heal from the inside out.
She was fortunate to be part of Dr. Jim Adam’s FMT study at ASU where Ben was one of the best responders. His ATEC score went from 107 (moderate/severe) down to a 3 (below 5 is considered to be recovered). Since then, Ben has continued to improve. Throughout high school he ran track and cross country, making varsity his junior year, lettering in both. He just recently graduated with his high school diploma.
Although they have had setbacks from time to time, they continue to press forward to help Ben improve his confidence with language and social interactions. The one stone they had not yet turned over was CranioSacral, QRI laser & other treatments with Dr. Shawn Centers. She was blown away at how these gentle interventions allow the body to heal itself from the inside out. His current challenges are having the confidence to use his voice, to not doubt himself, to allow himself to relax in the moment and in conversations, to know what to say next. Thanks to the expertise of Dr. Centers, they notice improvements nearly every week.
Her definition of autism recovery is making a friend on your own. He does.
Ben is recovered, meaning his autism symptoms are nonexistent; you cannot pick him out of a crowd. He blends in with his typical peers and thrives among them.
Today Ben is 21 & one of the happiest young adults she knows. He has become a very gifted artist and will be illustrating their book, “Miracle Run” which will be published soon.
Learn more about Heidi Bonaroti here: https://www.
Julie Lapidus, MSc, MSc, LMT
– Founder/CEO, Autism Evolution
Julie Lapidus has been researching the top innovations and methods in the field of brain health and autism for the last 16 years. She is the founder and CEO of Autism Evolution, which works with parents of children with autism to help their children to thrive using a comprehensive, holistic approach using the best of biomedical and biohacking approaches. She has been trained by some of the top health practitioners in the world. She has consulted with clients in both outpatient and residential settings and has worked with parents of children from ages 2 to 30 around the world. Autism Evolution’s services and programs are offered virtually, and can be done from the comfort of one’s own home.
She holds a Master’s of Science in Sustainable Development from HEC Paris and a Master’s of Science in Sustainable Management from Fundação Getulio Vargas. She served as a director at an integrative behavioral health facility for 3 years.
She is currently in the process of publishing her first book on the causes of autism and how to address it. In addition to being a holistic wellbeing coach and biohacking expert and a MAPS (Medical Academy of Pediatric and Special Needs) member, she is a certified natural vision improvement coach, a licensed massage therapist (specializing in CranioSacral therapy), and an intuitive emotional healing coach.
Bookings
Bookings are closed for this event.