October 23, 2019

Autism and Inclusivity in the Workplace, with Dr. Lynette Louise

Episode 26:

Dr. Lynette Louise, aka The Brain Broad, has a doctorate in bioscience, holds two board certifications in Neurofeedback (BCIA, NTCB) and is working on her Ph.D. (and is now ABD) in Psychology, with a specialty in Psychophysiology at Saybrook University.

Lynette is an international mental health and parenting expert, specializing in autism. She is a speaker, author, performer, popular podcast host, neurofeedback & autism expert, and creator/host/therapist for the international reality series FIX IT IN FIVE with LYNETTE LOUISE aka THE BRAIN BROAD, now showing on The Autism Channel. She is also the single mother of eight now grown children; six were adopted and four were on the autism spectrum. Only one of her sons retains his label and remains dependent.

In 2003 Lynette Louise became the only professional from the Autism Treatment Center of America to be certified in two modalities: Option Process Mentor Counselor and Child Facilitator. Though she is experienced in many behavioral modalities training from The Autism Treatment Center shaped her approach the most. Lynette has been practicing the Option Process since 1997 and working with autism since 1983, when she first began adopting children. Having helped hundreds of adults and children with a combination of playroom, dialogue, and family dynamics counseling, in 2004 Lynette began using Neurofeedback as an additional therapeutic modality for healing the brain. Formerly of The Brain Injury Therapy Clinic in Westlake where she worked closely with Dr. Burke chief scientist for EEG Spectrum, Lynette has successfully helped clients with Bipolar Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Tourettes, Seizure Disorders ADHD, Depression, Addiction, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Lynette Louise is also a speaker for RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) and does important talks on topics such as sexual abuse, domestic violence, and the effects of abuse on mental health. Her popular college topic, Getting Beyond Your Sexual History and Raising Your Relationship IQ – A Look at Tend and Befriend, teaches about the brain’s natural defense in abuse situations, the common mistake of victim-blaming and the relationship between the two. She then offers tools and simple tips for changing the story and staying safe.

What you’ll learn about in this episode:

  • Why Lynette was motivated to begin working with and specializing in autism after she adopted children who were on the autism spectrum
  • Why beginning her work with autism in the 1980s when few experts were even talking about autism offered new experiences and challenges to Lynette
  • What autism is, why it exists as a spectrum instead of a clear yes-or-no, and what common symptoms and traits exist in people on the autism spectrum
  • Why catering to common myths about autism can create and strengthen the challenges a person on the autism spectrum may experience in the workplace
  • How Lynette’s “four-to-one” strategy works, and how it can help with accessibility and comfort in the workplace for people on the autism spectrum
  • What perseveration is and why it specifically matters for people on the autism spectrum in the workplace when it comes to the tasks they are asked to complete
  • Why there are multiple factors that can make eye contact and communication difficult for people on the autism spectrum
  • Why it is vitally important to view people on the autism spectrum individually rather than as a group

Additional resources: