Love on the Autism Spectrum - Navigating Neurodivergence in Relationships

Episode 003- Masking in Love: The Hidden Cost of Pretending in Neurodiverse Relationships.mp3


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In this emotionally attuned episode of Love on the Autism Spectrum, Blaze Lazarony shares the story of Harry and Sally — two fictional, but deeply relatable, characters navigating a common neurodivergent relationship dynamic: masking to maintain connection.


What starts as safety and mutual admiration slowly shifts into misunderstanding and disconnection. Sally begins to hide her needs to protect the relationship. Harry doesn’t know how to respond to emotions he doesn’t fully understand. And the quiet space between them begins to grow.


Through this story, Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony explores the quiet grief of being loved, but not fully seen — and how masking, especially in intimate relationships, often feels like survival rather than a conscious choice.


You’ll be invited to reflect gently on your own relationship dynamics, and to notice where you might be holding back the truth of who you are in order to feel safe or accepted.


In this episode:

  • A story that illustrates the emotional cost of masking
  • A compassionate reframe: masking is a brilliant adaptation, not a flaw
  • A “home play” practice to help you take small, honest steps toward unmasking in safe spaces

This episode is a tender and empowering reminder that love can deepen — not when we hide, but when we share our truth, one small piece at a time.


#MaskingInLove #UnmaskingAutism #LoveWithoutPretending #NeurodivergentCouples #AuthenticityInRelationships #LoveOnTheAutismSpectrum #NDPartnerships #RealYouRealLove #NeurodiverseHealing #PodcastsOnAmazonMusic

Visit https://www.loveontheautismspectrum.com/ or on Instagram @BlazeLazarony

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Love on the Autism Spectrum - Navigating Neurodivergence in RelationshipsBy Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT