Autism & Leucovorin: Perspectives from Parents to Physicians

March Sedona Defenders Virtual Autism Expert Q&A Panel on CHD.TV

On September 22, 2025, the White House held a press conference on leucovorin (folinic acid) and its potential applications for autism. However, while a media frenzy followed, a lot of details were missing in the news about the specifics and nuances of this treatment method.

For instance, did you know that for leucovorin to be effective, your child must follow a special diet?

Also, leucovorin is a treatment specifically for cerebral folate deficiency, which affects 40% of children with autism.

In this special Q&A panel featuring the former Director of Medical Education for AutismOne, an award-winning filmmaker, and a mom who successfully used leucovorin to help her son with level 3 autism, learn about what it takes to really help a child with autism to thrive and learn more about this FDA-approved treatment and whether it might be helpful for your loved one on the autism spectrum. 

The event will be virtual, so you can join from the comfort of your own home. Whether you came to our last event or wish you had, you will not want to miss this autism expert Q&A panel!

If you missed our prior events, you can watch the documentary screening of the award-winning documentary Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined here prior to this Q&A panel event.

RSVP Below To Join The Event:
Please register below so we know to expect you. The direct link on CHD.TV is here.

Panelists:

• Dr. Shawn Centers, MD(H), DO (H), MH, FACOP, Professor of Pediatrics & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine | Chief Medical Officer, The Integrative HOPE Center of AZ
• Ryan Hetrick, Director, Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined
• Viviana Sarah Perez, Biomedical mom

Co-Hosts:

• Julie Lapidus, MSc, MSc, LMT, Author, The Autism Generation: Understanding the Autism Epidemic from Causes to Solutions | Founder & CEO, Autism Evolution
• Austin Sellevold, Community Coordinator, Children’s Health Defense Arizona Chapter

Submit your questions for the Panelists here!

Panelists Biographies:

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
• Former Director of Medical Education, AutismOne

Shawn K. Centers, MD(H), FACOP, BCIM, BCIP, is an Arizona licensed Homeopathic and Integrative Physician, the former 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.

Ryan Hetrick, Documentary Filmmaker, Director, Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined

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.

Viviana Sarah Perez

Sarah is a mother of two, wife, and college student dedicated to biomedical advocacy inspired by her son’s autism journey. Through research, practitioner collaboration, and intentional home-based strategies, she works to support his development while ensuring her daughter feels equally nurtured and valued. She is currently studying to become a holistic dietitian to support other parents of children on the spectrum at Arizona Western College. She is passionate about amplifying the voice of informed parents in biomedical conversations.

Julie Lapidus, MSc, MSc, LMT

• Author, The Autism Generation: Understanding the Autism Epidemic from Causes to Solutions
• Founder & CEO, Autism Evolution

Julie Lapidus is the author of the forthcoming book The Autism Generation: Understanding The Autism Epidemic From Causes To Solutions being published by Skyhorse and Children’s Health Defense Books. From causes to solutions, it provides a groundbreaking roadmap for understanding and addressing the autism epidemic.

She 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 of Science in Sustainable Development from HEC Paris and a Master of Science in Sustainable Management from Fundação Getulio Vargas. She also previously served as a director at an integrative behavioral health facility.

In addition to being an autism wellbeing specialist, biohacking expert and a MAPS (Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special Needs) member, she is a certified natural vision improvement coach, a licensed massage therapist (specializing in CranioSacral therapy), and an emotional healing coach.

She also serves as a community coordinator and board member for Children’s Health Defense Arizona Chapter.

Austin Sellevold

Austin has been passionate about natural health for over 15 years. As the world evolves, he finds both joy and challenges in helping everyday people create a more regenerative future. Now, he’s on a freelance, grassroots mission, bringing his entrepreneurial spirit to wellness, service, and gratitude for the community. Drawing from the reality that food is medicine, the body is its own healer, and that we can each restore balance in mind, body, and nature for ourselves, Austin offers plant-based catering, independent consulting, and home garden design from a small private space in Chandler, Arizona.

He’s volunteered with Arizona Children’s Health Defense as a Community Coordinator since 2021.