THE TEAM
Amanda Shannon
Founder & President
Amanda's daughter Lily Grace was diagnosed with Autism at age three. Amanda was informed by the diagnosing physician there were no treatments available for Autism and to be prepared to have Lily institutionalized when she could no longer care for her. Amanda began to research alternative therapies for Autism. While searching for answers to this complex neurological disorder, she began to see the connection of the underdeveloped immune system, poor gut heath, and brain imbalances as well as the need to address toxicity and nutritional support with diet and supplements. She began researching therapies and treatments which could address any of these issues.
Amanda then developed a comprehensive team of providers for her daughter, which included ABA therapists, Pediatrician, Nutritionist, Occupational Therapist, Neurologist, Chiropractor and Speech Therapist. She held monthly meetings with these professionals to collaborate on a strategic plan to assist Lily in meeting her health goals. Against all odds, Lily Grace began to improve physically and mentally, and continues even today to make progress.
In an effort to help other parents impacted by Autism, she provided them resources to doctors and therapies which were effective for Lily. More importantly, she gave them hope that their child may see improvements in conditions and symptoms as Lily had. Amanda saw a need for a center where parents of chronically ill children could come to one location to find Integrative Therapies for ASD and give the parents educational and emotional support. She then opened Proactive Wellness of the Rockies and earned her Holistic Health Coach License through International Integrative Nutrition and became certified as a Brainwave Optimization Technician. Amanda also holds a certification in Mental Health First Aid through the National Council for Community and Behavioral Healthcare.
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​Amanda believed by starting a non profit, more children and their families could be positively impacted and founded the Lily Grace Foundation (LGF), who's mission is to provide children and their families diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, with educational programs, resources, scholarships and research for integrative therapies. LGF is consistently ranked as a non profit in good standing with the State of Colorado. LGF is proud to achieve Platinum Status, the highest ranking with GuideStar, an independent charity review organization. In addition, they have been awarded the Great Nonprofits Top Charity, a charity review organization supported by the Gates and Forbes Foundations, less than 1% of non profits receive this honor. In April of 2016, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper proclaimed Autism Awareness Month for the State of Colorado, via advocacy from LGF and on September 22, 2015 he authorized flags to be flown in honor of LGF and those affected by Autism and neurological disorders.
​After researching and implementing Yoga and Meditation into Lily's treatment program with positive outcomes, Amanda completed her Yoga Teacher Certification. She founded Relaxation Station, a Yoga Program, evidence based therapeutic modality provided free of charge to underserved children in Public School ASD classrooms.
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Dr. Debby Hamilton; MD
LGF Professional Advisor
Dr. Debby Hamilton began her education at Wesleyan University graduating with a BA in biology. Following her undergraduate education, she completed her M.D. degree at the University of Health Sciences in Chicago. She began her career in pediatrics as a general pediatrician in Rhode Island after residency training at Brown University’s Hasbro Children’s Hospital and the University of Massachusetts.
In Colorado, she completed fellowship training in pediatric nutrition at The Children’s Hospital in Denver. She was involved in two ongoing pediatric clinics: the Growth and Parenting Clinic treating children with growth and feeding issues, and the Pediatric Obesity clinic. Throughout this training she also worked with different pediatric specialists including gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, pulmonologists, neonatologists, and lactation consultants. Her training in adult nutrition included obesity and diabetes. During her nutrition training, she completed her Masters of Science degree in Public Health (MSPH) at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. For her nutrition fellowship and Master’s degree, she was funded by a National Institute of Health nutrition training grant focusing on zinc and iron intake in infants 6 to 12 months old.
In addition to her Board Certifications as a Pediatrician and a Physician Nutrition Specialist, she gained certification in Integrative/Holistic Medicine from the American Board of Integrative/Holistic Medicine (ABIHM). Her training in integrative medicine includes training in biomedical treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders through the Autism Research Institute and the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS), nutrition, medical aromatherapy, and pediatric and general integrative medicine.
In 2005, Dr. Hamilton founded Holistic Pediatric Consulting in Boulder, Colorado. This integrative pediatric practice is focused on diagnosing and treating chronic child health issues. A large part of the practice is for treatment of children with neurologic issues, especially Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD.
Dr. Debby Hamilton has spoken at numerous integrative conferences and on health-focused radio shows. In addition, Dr. Debby has written a book, Preventing Autism & ADHA, Controlling Risk Factors Before, During & After Pregnancy .