Neurodiverse Love-Sharing Lessons Learned and Lived Experiences in Neurodiverse Relationships

We have changed the account we will be using for Season 2, so please check out the first episode and subscribe at: https://anchor.fm/neurodiverse-love or check out the link in our bio on Instagram @neurodiverse_love We hope you will join us and subscribe to Season 2 of the "Neurodiverse Love" podcast as Mona and Manecia share more lessons learned and lived experiences. We will also have more guests joining us on the podcast. We hope that hearing from others in "Neurodiverse Love" relationships, as well as those who are providing counseling or coaching to neurodiverse couples, will be helpful as you forward on your neurodiverse journey. If you would like to be a guest on the "Neurodiverse Love" podcast please e-mail us at: [email protected] or DM us on Instagram @neurodiverse_love For more resources on neurodiverse relationships please check out our website at: neurodiverselove.com If you are interested in joining the on-line "Neurodiverse Love" peer support group for the neurotypical partner, please send us an e-mail or a DM on Instagram. Thanks for listening and for being a part of the "Neurodiverse Love" journey.

During this episode Mona, Olga and Manecia talk about how we have dealt with our emotions SO differently then our neurodivergent partners, and discuss the impact this has had on our relationships. When we have shared our emotions and feelings with our current or past partners, they might respond by shutting down, looking very confused, or appear indifferent. Understanding and coming to terms with how differently our partners processed our emotions has been a challenging journey, however, during this episode we have some epiphanies that may help others. We discuss how important it is to understand that the way in which our partners may have showed they care about us is very different then we may have wanted or expected them to react, when we would get emotional. Sometimes we need a hug, at others times we need calming reassurance that "everything is going to be okay" and we may expect our partners to "read our minds" about what we need. No matter what, (paraphrasing Oprah), we want to know that our partners "hear us" "see us" and "understand us" and we talk about some of the ways in which neurodiverse couples may be able to achieve this. We hope you gain some insight from our mistakes, and the lessons we have learned on our neurodiverse journey's. If you are in a "Neurodiverse Love" relationship, or provide coaching or counseling to Neurodiverse couples we would like to hear from you. If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast please contact us by e-mail at: [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram: @neurodiverse_love If you are interested in joining one of our free Zoom support groups for the neurotypical in a neurodiverse love relationship, please e-mail us or send us a DM on Instagram. Also, please visit our website at: neurodiverselove.com for more resources. Thank you for listening and please share this episode with others who may be in a "Neurodiverse Love" relationship:-)

In this episode, we talk about what we did do, as well as what we didn't do, to take care of ourselves in our neurodiverse relationships. We also delve into why acknowledging and letting ourselves feel and work through our emotions is SO important. Even though both partners may have different ways of expressing their emotions, we talk about the importance of understanding and experiencing your emotions in the ways that are healthy and healing for you (and don't cause harm to others). Lastly, we talk about the ways in which we have grown in our relationships and how important it is to empower yourself, create boundaries and take time for "you", even when you feel like you're putting everyone else first. Thank you for listening!:-) If you would like to be a guest on the podcast, please email us at: [email protected]. You can follow us on Instagram @Neurodiverse_love Check out our website at: neurodiverselove.com If you would like to join one of our twice monthly "Neurodiverse Love" peer support groups you can send us a DM on Instagram or email us to get the Zoom link.

During this episode we talk about how important emotional reciprocity is to the neurotypical partner and how each partner needs to create their own happiness, instead of relying on the other to be their only source of fun and happiness. We also talk about some of the ways in which each partner can get their needs met through respectful. loving communication. In addition, we talk about the challenges couples may have because of unresolved trauma from undiagnosed autism and how that can have an impact on the neurodiverse relationship. As we continue to expand our podcast content, we are sharing more information that we hope will be helpful to neurodiverse couples, or those that are looking to begin a neurodiverse relationship. Every love relationship takes work, however we also know that going into a neurodiverse relationship when you are expecting a neurotypical relationship, can bring many challenges and unintentional pain that we hope this podcast and the other resources and information we offer will help lessen. If you are the neurotypical partner in a neurodiverse relationship and you want to join our twice monthly peer support group, please send us an email at: [email protected], or follow us on Instagram @neurodiverse_love and send a DM to get the Zoom link for the support group. You may also want to check out our website at: neurodiverselove.com Thank you for listening to the Neurodiverse Love podcast and please share this podcast with anyone you know who is in a neurodiverse love relationship, or is interested in starting one.:-)

We are so excited to share this episode with our listeners. Kate and Clark have been married for 9 years and in October, 2020, Clark was officially diagnosed as autistic. During this episode, this neurodiverse couple share openly and honestly about the ups and downs of being in a ND Love relationship. They share how they met, what attracted them to each other, what it's like to receive an ASD diagnosis as a married adult with two children. They also talk about how they are learning to handle communication challenges, the importance of emotional reciprocity, more effective ways to address meltdowns and shutdowns, the importance of time alone, and how being in a ND relationship is a lot like speaking two different languages and always trying to translate in your head, so you "get it right". This is the first time we have had a Neurodiverse couple on the podcast and we would love to hear from more neurodiverse couples who want to share their stories. We also want to thank Kate and Clark for being both vulnerable and authentic with us. Their love for each other is an inspiration and we really enjoyed talking with them during this episode. If you are the neurotypical in the relationship and would like to be a part of our "Neurodiverse Love" peer support group, please send us an email at: [email protected], or you can send us a DM on our Instagram page @neurodiverse_love. The group meets twice a month through Zoom, for about an hour, and we will send you the Zoom link if you would like to join us. In addition, for more information on "Neurodiverse Love" relationships, please visit our website at: neurodiverselove.com. Thank you for listening to this episode and please share it with others who may also be in a "Neurodiverse Love" relationship.:-)