“There is a connection between autism, mental health, and danger,” admits global mental health therapist Lynette Louise. As an autism mother, Asperger’s individual, global in-home therapist and speaker, Lynette knows what she’s talking about. “There is an equally large danger in not being willing to discuss this truth openly.”

You won’t get the information Lynette is sharing anywhere else. Politics, knee-jerk reactions and a concern that autistic individuals will be stereo-typed and feared holds many tongues, but at what cost?

Lynette wrote an article titled Craziness Creeps up on us—Generation after Generation, which was published on OpEdNews.com. In this article she describes with candor, science and personal examples how this violence is often encouraged, if not created, on a national level by our unwillingness to take on the responsibility, or to believe in teaching our children sophisticated thinking.

In response to the horrendous horror of too many mass shootings, often ending in political posturing regarding gun laws and the mental health system, Lynette recorded a special episode of her podcast A New Spin on Autism: Answers with her once upon a time violent and autistic son, Rye. She also recorded a special episode in 2012 after the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting, wherein she takes us through the history of violence on a more personal, and surprisingly honest, level; as a mom and in her own home. Her youngest son (Rye) requested that she tell his story in order to help others. As a child he was known to accidentally kill animals, play imaginary games that included dead body parts and have violent meltdowns. As an adult he has been known to be the one that is taken advantage of, most recently having been attacked in his own apartment. Lynette skillfully shares his tale, uncovering the actions that have not only helped, but possibly saved him. In the more recent episode, Rye and Lynette talk about the more recent shooting and offer answers together.

One example of how Lynette suggests changing the story refers to the much talked about, rarely understood, autism meltdown. Lynette says, “If your child is having a meltdown, is screaming and hitting himself, do not run and give attention to the meltdown, do not yell at the child for the meltdown. Do react; stand in their presence and say, ‘when you are finished with that I would love to help you.’ If they are hitting themselves, offer them a squeeze. But do not do it as though you are saving them. Do it like you are teaching them how to help themselves, and then walk them through, logically, whatever led them to the meltdown.”

It is quite obvious that we are all connected, and that changing the story for one struggling family can matter for thousands, even millions, of others. It’s important that we be honest, and find answers.

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