BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.3.1//EN TZID:America/Phoenix X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/Phoenix BEGIN:VEVENT UID:280@az.childrenshealthdefense.org DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20250719T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20250719T190000 DTSTAMP:20250717T194114Z URL:https://az.childrenshealthdefense.org/events/sedona-defenders-meet-up/ SUMMARY:Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined DESCRIPTION:July Sedona Defenders Documentary Film Screening\nCome to our s creening of the award-winning documentary film of Restoring Balance: Autis m Redefined.\n\nDive into a groundbreaking documentary that showcases the success of families and practitioners who are transforming the lives of ch ildren with autism by changing their diet and the environments where they play\, learn\, and live.\n\nQ&\;A Panel with documentary producer/direc tor Ryan Hetrick following the movie as well as with biomedical practition ers and a biomedical moms (including one featured in the movie) who has us ed a holistic approach to help her own children to thrive.\n\nWatch the tr ailer here.\n\nSchedule:\n5 PM: Movie Screening\n6 PM: Q&\;A Panel with Filmmaker and Biomedical Practitioners\nAbout the Panelists\nRyan Hetrick \, Documentary Filmmaker\, Producer/Director\n\nDr. Shawn Centers\, MD(H)\ , DO (H)\, MH\,FACOP\, Professor of Pediatrics &\; Osteopathic Manipula tive Medicine\, Chief Medical Officer\, The Integrative HOPE Center of AZ\ n\nSamantha Malinski\, BA\, Biomedical mom\, Founder\, HEAL Verde Valley m ovement\n\nHeidi Bonaroti\, OTR/L\, Biomedical mom featured in the film\; Co-owner &\; Director of Vocational Rehab.\, Touchstone Rehabilitation \n\nJulie Lapidus\, MSc\, MSc\, LMT\, Founder/CEO\, Autism Evolution\nOrga nic GFCF Snacks and Drinks\nOrganic GFCF snacks and refreshments will be a vailable from Elevated Treats by Christina Gala.On the menu will be delici ous savory and sweet treats made by a local retreat chef including Lemon L ime Mini Pies\, Chips and Guacamole\, Chocolate Chip Cookies\, Iced Golden Milk\, and Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade.\n\nPanelists Biographies:\nRyan Hetrick\, Documentary Filmmaker\, Producer/Director\n\nRyan 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 addi tion\, he served as a neurocognitive specialist and a Certified Brain Inju ry Specialist for the 50+ population. His experience spans various environ ments\, including homes\, schools\, and employment settings. After utilizi ng modalities such as Applied Behavioral Analysis\, Cognitive Behavioral T herapy\, Floortime\, and others\, Ryan gradually recognized that behaviora l therapy should not be the sole focus for these conditions\; rather\, bio medical treatment must take precedence.\n\nThroughout his career\, Ryan ca me to a significant realization: while behavioral therapy has its merits\, it should not stand alone as the primary treatment for autism spectrum co nditions. 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 astonis hing! 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.\ n\nAfter years of working with people on the autism spectrum\, it became a bundantly clear to Ryan that dietary and biomedical therapies were making a profound and positive impact. Faced with skepticism from his immediate f amily\, colleagues\, and even other professionals about the transformative potential of these approaches\, Ryan felt a deep motivation to share thes e inspiring success stories. This passion led to the creation of the docum entary Restoring Balance: Autism Redefined\, which aimed to illuminate the real-life benefits of these interventions.\n\nLearn more about Ryan Hetri ck here\n\nDr. Shawn Centers\, MD(H)\, DO(H)\, MH\,FACOP\n- Professor of P ediatrics &\; Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine\n- Chief Medical Office r\, The Integrative HOPE Center of AZ\n- Pediatrician\, Licensed Homeopath ic &\; Integrative Physician\n- Director of Medical Education\, AutismO ne\n\nShawn K. Centers\, MD(H)\, FACOP\, BCIM\, BCIP\, is an Arizona licen sed Homeopathic and Integrative Physician\, the Director of Medical Educat ion for AutismOne\, and an internationally known expert and professor of O steopathic Medicine. Dr. Centers maintains a specialized consulting practi ce with an emphasis on rare\, difficult-to-treat\, developmental and neuro logical disorders\, including children with epilepsy\, cerebral palsy\, im mune disorders (including Lyme Disease\, PANDAS/PANS)\, learning disorders \, attention deficit disorder\, asthma\, allergy\, autism\, traumatic brai n injury\, and rare diseases. He has exceptional skills in using Homeopath ic &\; Integrative Medicine\, Craniosacral Osteopathy\, Energy Medicine \, and Biomedical Approaches in finding health for patients. Dr. Centers i s 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 P ediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey. Dr. Centers was the lead author of the pediatrics section of Foundations in Osteopathic Medici ne the official text of the American Osteopathic Association used at over 300 medical schools worldwide.\n\nDr. Centers has served as a Clinical Pro fessor of Pediatrics at Touro University\, Lake Erie College of Osteopathi c Medicine\, A.T. Still University\, The Arizona College Of Osteopathic Me dicine\, as well as other osteopathic colleges in the United States and ab road. Dr. Centers is a Professor Of Pediatrics and Integrative Medicine fo r the Ontario Federation of Osteopathic Professionals and the  Toronto Ac ademy of Osteopathy. Dr. Centers is a certified Master Herbalist\, Emotion Code Practitioner\, Master Trainer of Neurolinguistic Programming and Tim e Line Therapy\, Defeat Autism Now Doctor\, Expert in Essential Oil and Ar omatic Medicine\, Silva UltraMind Trainer\, and was the  Founding Preside nt of the American Academy of Pediatric Osteopathy.\n\nAlthough Dr. Center s sees patients of all backgrounds and conditions\, Dr. Centers has receiv ed international and national recognition for his pioneering work with aut istic and autistic spectrum disorder children. His use of cranial osteopat hy combined with the use of biomedical approaches\, therapeutic grade esse ntial oils\, homeopathy\, diet and nutrition\, energy medicine and the the rapeutic use of sound and light. This pioneering approach has greatly adva nced the care of many children with autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Centers has been recognized for his use of advanced energy medicine techniques in cluding the development of Photobiomodulation (The Lumi Light)\, advanced sound therapy technology representing the latest innovation in neuroscienc e and psychoacoustic technology.\n\nDr. Centers is a Fellow of the America n College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (FACOP)\, the American Association of Integrative Medicine (FAAIM)\, the American College of Integrative Pedi atrics\, 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 Bandl er\, and Thad Everet James. Centers utilize the Time Line Therapy techniqu es developed by Tad James\, PhD. Dr. Centers is also a Master Trainer of N eurolinguistic Programming and Time Therapy.\n\nAs a result of his innovat ive work in the field of pediatrics\, The International Association of Hea lthCare Professionals (IAHCP)  selected Dr. Centers to be featured in  T he Leading Physicians of the World. He has been honored as a “Top Pediat rician” by the International Association of Pediatricians (IAP)\, is a D istinguished Fellow of the American Pediatrics Council\, and Lifetime memb er of the American Council of Pediatrics Specialists. Dr. Centers is also certified in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Time Line Therapy and has been awar ded a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Cranial Osteopathy.\n\nLearn m ore about Dr. Shawn Centers here:\n\nSamantha Malinski\, BA\n- Biomedical mom\n- Founder\, HEAL Verde Valley movement\n\nWhen her sons were experien cing neurodivergent symptoms\, Samantha Malinski used biomedical intervent ions to help her children to thrive. During the panel\, she will share abo ut her experiences and what worked for her sons to provide encouragement a nd valuable insight to others seeking advice and support.\n\nFounder of HE AL Verde Valley\, Educator\, Organic Land Care Advocate\, Environmental He alth 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 ch ange. Samantha’s unique approach has inspired multiple homeowners’ as sociations\, three cities\, and over 200 golf courses to adopt organic\, n on-toxic herbicide practices.\n\n\nHeidi Bonaroti\, OTR/L\n\n- Biomedical mom featured in the film\n- Co-owner &\; Director of Vocational Rehab.\ , Touchstone Rehabilitation\n\nHeidi has been on this journey since 2007 w hen her son was diagnosed at age 3. It was like being hit by a freight tra in 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\, star ted rigid stimming behaviors\, didn't play with his toys like he used to\, forgot he had a brother and his eye contact faded away.\n\nAn occupationa l 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 doi ng the best so she tried it with Ben. Three weeks into the diet\, he put h is 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 t he 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 confi rmation that they were on the right track with the diet and other biomedic al interventions they were about to try.  She also met Dr. Jeff Bradstree t who became their doctor &\; established treatment plans &\; interv entions that would be pivotal for Ben's recovery.\n\nShe quit her job so s he could be home ensuring Ben’s diet was optimal and to supervise/partic ipate 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 wi th each parent she talked to. She had the honor &\; privilege to create a parent support group called "DAN Moms" &\; founded "Nepenthe Wellnes s" which served to help families heal from the inside out.\n\nShe was fort unate to be part of Dr. Jim Adam's FMT study at ASU where Ben was one of t he 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 continu ed to improve. Throughout high school he ran track and cross country\, mak ing varsity his junior year\, lettering in both. He just recently graduate d with his high school diploma.\n\nAlthough they have had setbacks from ti me to time\, they continue to press forward to help Ben improve his confid ence with language and social interactions. The one stone they had not yet   turned over was CranioSacral\, QRI laser &\; other treatments with D r. Shawn Centers.  She was blown away at how these gentle interventions a llow 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 al low himself to relax in the moment and in conversations\, to know what to say next.  Thanks to the expertise of Dr. Centers\, they notice improveme nts nearly every week.\n\nHer definition of autism recovery is making a fr iend on your own. He does.\n\nBen is recovered\, meaning his autism sympto ms are nonexistent\; you cannot pick him out of a crowd. He blends in with his typical peers and thrives among them.\n\nToday Ben is 21 &\; one o f the happiest young adults she knows. He has become a very gifted artist and will be illustrating their book\, "Miracle Run" which will be publishe d soon.\n\nLearn more about Heidi Bonaroti here: https://www.touchstonere habilitation.com/\n\nJulie Lapidus\, MSc\, MSc\, LMT\n- Founder/CEO\, Auti sm Evolution\n\nJulie Lapidus has been researching the top innovations and methods in the field of brain health and autism for the last 16 years. Sh e is the founder and CEO of Autism Evolution\, which works with parents of children with autism to help their children to thrive using a comprehensi ve\, holistic approach using the best of biomedical and biohacking approac hes. She has been trained by some of the top health practitioners in the w orld. She has consulted with clients in both outpatient and residential se ttings and has worked with parents of children from ages 2 to 30 around th e world. Autism Evolution’s services and programs are offered virtually\ , and can be done from the comfort of one’s own home.\n\nShe holds a Mas ter’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 y ears.\n\nShe is currently in the process of publishing her first book on t he 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 Pedi atric and Special Needs) member\, she is a certified natural vision improv ement coach\, a licensed massage therapist (specializing in CranioSacral t herapy)\, and an intuitive emotional healing coach.\n\nLearn more about Ju lie Lapidus here\n\n ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://az.childrenshealthdefense.org/wp-content /uploads/Sedona-pexels-thomas-shockey-6418929-scaled.jpg LOCATION:Ultimate Light Mission\, 2115 Mountain Road\, Sedona\, AZ\, 86336\ , United States X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=2115 Mountain Road\, Sedona \, AZ\, 86336\, United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Ultimate Light Mi ssion:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Phoenix X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Phoenix BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20240719T170000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR