Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined Follow-up Q&A Panel

September Sedona Defenders Virtual Autism Expert Q&A Panel

Due to popular demand and an overwhelming response to our documentary film screening event of Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined in July, we are hosting an extended follow-up Q&A panel with our expert panelists.

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 follow-up autism expert Q&A panel!

Follow-up Q&A Panel with documentary producer/director Ryan Hetrick of the award-winning documentary Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined as well as with biomedical practitioners, a renowned autism biomedical researcher, and a biomedical mom who has used a holistic approach to help her own children to thrive.

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

Exciting Updates
Also, two of our panelists have exciting new updates that they will share with us during the event, you won’t want to miss hearing the exciting news live!

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

Panelists:

• Ryan Hetrick, Documentary Filmmaker, Producer/Director, Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined
• 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, BIS, NOFA OLC, Biomedical mom, Director of Operations, Moms Across America, Executive Director, Red Rock Wild School
• James B. Adams, Ph.D., Director of the Autism/Asperger’s Research Program at Arizona State University; President of Autism Nutrition Research Center
• Julie Lapidus, MSc, MSc, LMT, Founder/CEO, Autism Evolution; Author

Submit your questions for the Panelists here!

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.

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.

Samantha Malinski, BIS & NOFA OLC

• • Biomedical mom
  • Head of Operations, Moms Across America
  • Executive Director, Red Rock Wild School

Samantha Malinski is a passionate advocate for children’s and environmental health, as well as an educator. She currently serves as Head of Operations for Moms Across America, advancing national initiatives to eliminate glyphosate and toxic chemicals from our food and communities. She is also Executive Director of Red Rock Wild School, a nature-based learning program in Arizona, and founder of HEAL Verde Valley, which has inspired homeowners’ associations, 3 cities, and more than 250 golf courses to transition to organic, non-toxic land management practices.

Her advocacy began with her own family. When her sons were experiencing neurodivergent symptoms, Samantha 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.

Samantha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Humanities, with minors in Anthropology and Sociology) from Northern Arizona University, and is accredited in Organic Land Care through NOFA. Her work bridges personal passion and professional leadership, bringing both compassion and strategy to the fight for a healthier future.

James B. Adams, Ph.D.,

• • Director, Autism/Asperger’s Research Program, Arizona State University
  • President, Autism Nutrition Research Center
  • President, Autism Diagnostics
  • President, Gut-Brain-Axis Therapeutics
  • Chair, Scientific Advisory Board, Neurological Health Foundation

James B. Adams, Ph.D., is the Director of the Autism/Asperger’s Research Program at Arizona State University. His research focuses on the medical causes of autism and how to treat and prevent it including the areas of nutrition (vitamins/minerals, essential fatty acids, carnitine, digestive enzymes, special diets), oxidative stress, gut bacteria, microbiota transplant, probiotics, toxic metals, and seizures. He has extensively researched prenatal supplements to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and infant health problems, and has developed the first prenatal supplement tailored for each trimester. He has published over 180 peer-reviewed scientific articles, including over 60 related to autism.  He is the President of the non-profit Autism Nutrition Research Center, President of Autism Diagnostics, President of Gut-Brain-Axis Therapeutics, and chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Neurological Health Foundation. He has an adult daughter with autism.

Julie Lapidus, MSc, MSc, LMT

• • Founder/CEO, Autism Evolution
  • Author

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 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.

She is the author of the forthcoming book The Autism Generation: Understanding The Autism Epidemic From Causes To Solutions which will be coming out next year.

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.