Ruth Johnston: Autism and Schizophrenia: A Mother's Fight for Change

Send us a text Ruth Johnston shares her harrowing journey as the mother of an autistic son who developed schizophrenia, and how this experience drove her to advocate for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania following a family tragedy. • Ruth's son was diagnosed with autism as a teenager, after she had already been homeschooling him for years • Around age 13, he began showing signs of developing schizophrenia, though it took a decade to recognize the condition • Current laws prevented intervention despite clear evidence of his deteriorating mental state • Expert testimony revealed 5-34% of autistic individuals may develop schizophrenia as adults • Anosognosia (inability to recognize one's own mental illness) prevents many from seeking help voluntarily • AOT programs allow civil courts to mandate treatment before dangerous situations occur • The "black robe effect" of a judge's order can help individuals comply with treatment • Modern medications like Abilify can dramatically improve quality of life without severe side effects • Patient advocacy groups often oppose AOT but don't represent those with severe schizophrenia • Ruth founded AOT4AlleghenyCounty.com to advocate for these needed programs To learn more about Ruth Johnston's advocacy efforts or to get involved, visit AOT4AlleghenyCounty.com or email AOT4AlleghenyCounty@gmail.com. https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI) The content on Why Not Me: Embracing Autism amd Mental Health Worldwide, including discussions on mental health, autism, and related topics, is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect those of the podcast, its hosts, or affiliates. Why Not Me is not a medical or mental health professional and does not endorse or verify the accuracy, efficacy, safety of any treatments, programs, or advice discussed. Listeners should consult qualified healthcare professionals, such as licensed therapists, psychologists, or physicians, before making decisions about mental health or autism- related care. Reliance on this podcast's contents is at the listener's own risk. Why Not Me is not liable for any outcomes, financial or otherwise, resulting from actions taken based on the information provided. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.