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Can Neurodiverse Relationships Work? 💙 

In this episode, we joined Jodi Carlton and a panel of experts on her YOUR Neurodiverse Relationship podcast. In this Part 1 of the discussion, the panel share real insights and proven strategies to help neurodiverse couples thrive.

What You’ll Learn:

👉 Success stories from neurodiverse couples

👉 How nervous system regulation impacts relationships

👉 The role of language, expectations & teamwork

👉 Key strategies for overcoming challenges

Meet the Experts in This Episode:

🔹 Laura Schreiner – Licensed counselor (IL) specializing in neurodivergent individuals & couples. https://www.laurasnc.com/

🔹 Jana Smith – Resilience & nervous system coach, expert in chronic illness & Cassandra Syndrome recovery. https://www.janamsmith.com/

🔹 Natalie Roberts – Award-winning neurodiverse relationship coach, co-founder of Loving Difference & co-host of Myth Busting Neurodiverse Relationships. https://natalieroberts.com/

🔹 Heather Parks – Somatic coach specializing in neurodiverse families, co-host of Loving Difference & Myth Busting Neurodiverse Relationships. https://heatherparks.co.uk/

🔹 Mona Kay, MSW, Ph.D. – Host of Neurodiverse Love Podcast, creator of Neurodiverse Love Conversation Cards & Workbook, and organizer of the Neurodiverse Love Conference. https://www.neurodiverselove.com/

🔹 Heidi Hackney – ICF-certified coach, mentor, & co-founder of Autistic Voiceover Artists (AVA), supporting autistic adults in the voiceover industry. https://thecan-docoach.com/

🔹 Dr. Stephanie C. Holmes – Autism researcher, ordained minister, author of Uniquely Us, and host of Neurodiverse Christian Couples Podcast. https://www.holmesasr.com/

🔹 Robin Tate, M.A., M.S., BCC, ACC, CAS – Neurodiverse couples coach, certified autism specialist, and founder of Robin Tate LLC. https://www.robintatellc.com/

🔹 Barbara Grant, MMFT, CAS, NDCC – Neurodiverse couples coach, co-host of Neurodiverse Couples Coaches Corner, and co-author of Uniquely Us. https://bg-hc.com/

🔹 Debbie King – Counselor specializing in neurodiverse relationships, trauma, & toxic family dynamics, offering global support via Zoom. https://www.facebook.com/WellingboroughCounsellor/

🔹 David Glick – Founder of Triad Psych in Marietta, GA, a clinic specializing in neurodiversity, learning disabilities, and ADHD. Former special education teacher with a Master's in Special Ed and Social Work, he has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years. https://triadpsych.org/

*****

Want to learn more or join us on the road to being YOU and thriving in your own neurodiverse relationship or family? 

Join Loving Difference at https://www.lovingdifference.net/

Loving Difference - HOPE and a Way Forward for Neurodiverse Relationships ✨
Loving Difference is hosted by Natalie Roberts and Heather Parks. The Loving Difference Relationship System they coach, specifically designed for neurodiverse relationships, prioritises recovery first and new foundations for better communication and connection. Subscribing members in the programme hosted there are solving the biggest issues experienced in neurodiverse relationships: exhaustion, being YOU, communication, connection, intimacy, resentment and reactivity. 

#neurodiverse #neurodiversity #asd #autismspectrumdisorder #autismawareness #aspergers #autism #dontletanyonedullyoursparkle #aspergersrelationship #mentalhealth #happyrelationship #neurodiverserelationship #cultivateyourhappiness #beyouagain #beyou #liveslow #livewithintent #autismspectrum #neurodiverselove #lovingdifference #adhd #love #neurodiversecouple #coach #neurodiverserelationshipcoach #neurodiversefamilycoach

www.lovingdifference.net

♟️Are you playing an invisible game of chess in your neurodiverse relationship?

Are you open to the possibility that you may be unintentionally controlling yourself, situations, issues, outcomes, other people?

As I took a different path to resolve the hamster wheel of issues in my neurodiverse relationship/family I realised I was. Initially I was shocked and ashamed. I didn't think I was that kind of person. I didn't want to be that kind of person. I saw how others controlled or appeared to control me or how they did it with others but I'd never looked at myself!

It was a big thing to admit and an even bigger thing to decide to do something about. I thought it would mean giving up on what I'd longed for or needed or what I thought others should be doing or who I thought I had to be or should be to fit in and feel secure and be liked and all that kind of thing.. I know we all have our own versions of these!

Turns out there are different, better and much healthier ways for ALL of this. When we say to members that we don't use compromise or ultimatums they don't believe us!... that's because we've learned, been taught and believe and live in a culture where they are required or the only way to sort the big stuff out. Turns out that's not true 🤯 ... another myth busted!

If you notice you are, we're celebrating with you. No shame, only compassion. You can do something about it! These are all such helpful clues to bring into some coaching support.. that you can put together with learning some new ways to handle the same situations, the same people differently WITHOUT letting go of your hopes and dreams, for you, them and situations you're in.

Enjoy the episode!

*****

Want to learn more or join us on the road to being YOU and thriving in your own neurodiverse relationship or family? 

Join Loving Difference at https://www.lovingdifference.net/

Loving Difference - HOPE and a Way Forward for Neurodiverse Relationships ✨
Loving Difference is hosted by Natalie Roberts and Heather Parks. The Loving Difference Relationship System they coach, specifically designed for neurodiverse relationships, prioritises recovery first and new foundations for better communication and connection. Subscribing members in the programme hosted there are solving the biggest issues experienced in neurodiverse relationships: exhaustion, being YOU, communication, connection, intimacy, resentment and reactivity. 

#neurodiverse #neurodiversity #asd #autismspectrumdisorder #autismawareness #aspergers #autism #dontletanyonedullyoursparkle #aspergersrelationship #mentalhealth #happyrelationship #neurodiverserelationship #cultivateyourhappiness #beyouagain #beyou #liveslow #livewithintent #autismspectrum #neurodiverselove #lovingdifference #adhd #love #neurodiversecouple #coach #neurodiverserelationshipcoach #neurodiversefamilycoach

www.lovingdifference.net

If you're here, you're likely experiencing Trigger Dominoes in your neurodiverse relationship, a catalogue of triggers on a daily basis for many years, resulting in unhappiness, disconnection and exhaustion. In today's episode, Natalie is flying solo and sharing some more on this relationship game we're often playing and how we can change the rules and the outcomes of the game!

*****

Want to learn more or join us on the road to being YOU and thriving in your own neurodiverse relationship or family? 

Join Loving Difference at https://www.lovingdifference.net/

Loving Difference - HOPE and a Way Forward for Neurodiverse Relationships ✨
Loving Difference is hosted by Natalie Roberts and Heather Parks. The Loving Difference Relationship System they coach, specifically designed for neurodiverse relationships, prioritises recovery first and new foundations for better communication and connection. Subscribing members in the programme hosted there are solving the biggest issues experienced in neurodiverse relationships: exhaustion, being YOU, communication, connection, intimacy, resentment and reactivity. 

#neurodiverse #neurodiversity #asd #autismspectrumdisorder #autismawareness #aspergers #autism #dontletanyonedullyoursparkle #aspergersrelationship #mentalhealth #happyrelationship #neurodiverserelationship #cultivateyourhappiness #beyouagain #beyou #liveslow #livewithintent #autismspectrum #neurodiverselove #lovingdifference #adhd #love #neurodiversecouple #coach #neurodiverserelationshipcoach #neurodiversefamilycoach

www.lovingdifference.net

In this episode we're in conversation with Dr Stephanie Holmes from Neurodiverse Christian Marriages, answering questions from her listeners. Natalie and I share our perspectives and, of course, try to bust some myths that we think are stereotypical, unhelpful and untrue! We cover why it's highly problematic to tell another person that they may be neurodivergent and we also ask a question about what else other than neurodiversity may be contributing to relationship issues. 

We hope that you enjoy listening. We'd love you to takeaway the message that there is so much more hope and possibility ahead than the 'everything is fixed and nothing can change' stereotypical messages that we found at the beginning of our journey and which left us feeling hopeless and stuck. 

⭐️ You can change your experience without having to get someone else somewhere. There is a way forward when your partner is unable or not interested in discovering more or going to couples counselling. 

⭐️ You can reverse the impact of unknown neurodiversity and recover from the persistent stress and BE YOU again.  

⭐️ The truth that we've found is that there is hope and a way forward. The Loving Difference Relationship System supports you to create more choices and more possibility in your neurodiverse relationship. 

If you'd prefer to listen to a short summary of this conversation, you can find it on YouTube at this link https://youtu.be/HQqD11rhrsE

With thanks to Stephanie Holmes for hosting this conversation and for giving us permission to publish this recording on our podcast. And, if you'd like to find out more about Neurodiverse Christian Marriages here's the website https://www.christianneurodiversemarriage.com/

*****

Want to learn more or join us on the road to being YOU and thriving in your own neurodiverse relationship or family? 

Join Loving Difference at https://www.lovingdifference.net/

Loving Difference - HOPE and a Way Forward for Neurodiverse Relationships ✨
Loving Difference is hosted by Natalie Roberts and Heather Parks. The Loving Difference Relationship System they coach, specifically designed for neurodiverse relationships, prioritises recovery first and new foundations for better communication and connection. Subscribing members in the programme hosted there are solving the biggest issues experienced in neurodiverse relationships: exhaustion, being YOU, communication, connection, intimacy, resentment and reactivity. 

#neurodiverse #neurodiversity #asd #autismspectrumdisorder #autismawareness #aspergers #autism #dontletanyonedullyoursparkle #aspergersrelationship #mentalhealth #happyrelationship #neurodiverserelationship #cultivateyourhappiness #beyouagain #beyou #liveslow #livewithintent #autismspectrum #neurodiverselove #lovingdifference #adhd #love #neurodiversecouple #coach #neurodiverserelationshipcoach #neurodiversefamilycoach

www.lovingdifference.net

Celebrating 10 years of friendship, recovery, career change and the creation of the Loving Difference programme, Heather shares how difficult it was back then to prioritise herself enough to seek support. The myth we're busting in this episode is that you have to figure it out alone. The new truth we want members to hear is that there is hope and a way forward. There is a way to recover, heal and find healthier ways of relating in your neurodiverse relationship. 

*****

Want to learn more or join us on the road to being YOU and thriving in your own neurodiverse relationship or family? 

Join Loving Difference at https://www.lovingdifference.net/

Loving Difference - HOPE and a Way Forward for Neurodiverse Relationships ✨
Loving Difference is hosted by Natalie Roberts and Heather Parks. The Loving Difference Relationship System they coach, specifically designed for neurodiverse relationships, prioritises recovery first and new foundations for better communication and connection. Subscribing members in the programme hosted there are solving the biggest issues experienced in neurodiverse relationships: exhaustion, being YOU, communication, connection, intimacy, resentment and reactivity. 

#neurodiverse #neurodiversity #asd #autismspectrumdisorder #autismawareness #aspergers #autism #dontletanyonedullyoursparkle #aspergersrelationship #mentalhealth #happyrelationship #neurodiverserelationship #cultivateyourhappiness #beyouagain #beyou #liveslow #livewithintent #autismspectrum #neurodiverselove #lovingdifference #adhd #love #neurodiversecouple #coach #neurodiverserelationshipcoach #neurodiversefamilycoach

www.lovingdifference.net

Today’s episode is Heather’s presentation at the online Neurodiverse Love conference in February 2023. Heather’s busting the myth that things will only get better if your partner changes or if you change even more than you have already.

We want you to know the new truth, that it takes two to create a pattern and only one to change it.. You can change your experience of the relationship by focusing on yourself. Listen or watch along to find out more and pop back to the previous episode to hear my presentation if you’ve not heard or watched it yet. We used slides in the presentation so some things may be a little tricky to make sense of. If you’re listening to the podcast, you can watch instead via our Loving Difference youtube channel or even better come and join us at our online home in Loving Difference.

*****

Want to learn more or join us on the road to being YOU and thriving in your own neurodiverse relationship or family? 

Join Loving Difference at https://www.lovingdifference.net/

Loving Difference - HOPE and a Way Forward for Neurodiverse Relationships ✨
Loving Difference is hosted by Natalie Roberts and Heather Parks. The Loving Difference Relationship System they coach, specifically designed for neurodiverse relationships, prioritises recovery first and new foundations for better communication and connection. Subscribing members in the programme hosted there are solving the biggest issues experienced in neurodiverse relationships: exhaustion, being YOU, communication, connection, intimacy, resentment and reactivity. 

#neurodiverse #neurodiversity #asd #autismspectrumdisorder #autismawareness #aspergers #autism #dontletanyonedullyoursparkle #aspergersrelationship #mentalhealth #happyrelationship #neurodiverserelationship #cultivateyourhappiness #beyouagain #beyou #liveslow #livewithintent #autismspectrum #neurodiverselove #lovingdifference #adhd #love #neurodiversecouple #coach #neurodiverserelationshipcoach #neurodiversefamilycoach

www.lovingdifference.net

A different episode of the podcast for you today.. In this episode and the next one, we’re sharing our presentations from the Neurodiverse Love conference that happened online in February 2023. We loved the opportunity to share our experience with others there and now we’re bringing them to a wider audience via the podcast too. In Natalie's presentation today she's busting the myth that surviving or just liking your neurodiverse relationship is the best you can hope for.

We want you to know the new truth that the impact of unknown neurodiversity in your relationship is reversible and you can thrive… and flourish. We used slides in the presentation so some things may be a little tricky to make sense of. If you’re listening to the podcast, you can watch instead via our Loving Difference youtube channel or even better come and join us at our online home in Loving Difference.

*****

Want to learn more or join us on the road to being YOU and thriving in your own neurodiverse relationship or family? 

Join Loving Difference at https://www.lovingdifference.net/

Loving Difference - HOPE and a Way Forward for Neurodiverse Relationships ✨
Loving Difference is hosted by Natalie Roberts and Heather Parks. The Loving Difference Relationship System they coach, specifically designed for neurodiverse relationships, prioritises recovery first and new foundations for better communication and connection. Subscribing members in the programme hosted there are solving the biggest issues experienced in neurodiverse relationships: exhaustion, being YOU, communication, connection, intimacy, resentment and reactivity. 

#neurodiverse #neurodiversity #asd #autismspectrumdisorder #autismawareness #aspergers #autism #dontletanyonedullyoursparkle #aspergersrelationship #mentalhealth #happyrelationship #neurodiverserelationship #cultivateyourhappiness #beyouagain #beyou #liveslow #livewithintent #autismspectrum #neurodiverselove #lovingdifference #adhd #love #neurodiversecouple #coach #neurodiverserelationshipcoach #neurodiversefamilycoach

www.lovingdifference.net

🌟 We're here with Festive Hope and a Way Forward!

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Diwali, New Year's, Parties, Family Gatherings... We used to dread the festive season. With festive myths busted and new ways to navigate challenges WITHOUT compromising what matters most to us, we now sparkle our way through the season!

A special edition episode ... we're here to bust the myth that your festive seasons will forever be rubbish and doomed to be a disaster!

We're not into surviving the season, we know you've done that for long enough! We're here to inspire and share our first ways that began to turn the festive wheels of change so that, year by year, we could begin to thrive in it.

Sharing challenges and new ways about festive seasons past and present, how our perspectives have changed with greater understanding, clarity and an open mind to the possibilities of how festivities can be reimagined WITHOUT compromising what matters most to you.

Interested to find out more and take some step by steps to a more sparkly festive season?

The Loving Difference Programme includes coach support and resources for reimagining your festive season!

*****

Want to learn more or join us on the road to being YOU and thriving in your own neurodiverse relationship or family? 

Join Loving Difference at https://www.lovingdifference.net/

Loving Difference - HOPE and a Way Forward for Neurodiverse Relationships ✨
Loving Difference is hosted by Natalie Roberts and Heather Parks. The Loving Difference Relationship System they coach, specifically designed for neurodiverse relationships, prioritises recovery first and new foundations for better communication and connection. Subscribing members in the programme hosted there are solving the biggest issues experienced in neurodiverse relationships: exhaustion, being YOU, communication, connection, intimacy, resentment and reactivity. 

#neurodiverse #neurodiversity #asd #autismspectrumdisorder #autismawareness #aspergers #autism #dontletanyonedullyoursparkle #aspergersrelationship #mentalhealth #happyrelationship #neurodiverserelationship #cultivateyourhappiness #beyouagain #beyou #liveslow #livewithintent #autismspectrum #neurodiverselove #lovingdifference #adhd #love #neurodiversecouple #coach #neurodiverserelationshipcoach #neurodiversefamilycoach

www.lovingdifference.net

It's been a while!!!.... it felt really good to get back to recording our conversations!

If you're feeling lost, stuck and hopeless in your neurodiverse relationship and your partner can't or doesn't want to work on the issues that you think need sorting out, we're here with hope and a way forward! Here's some of the things we hear from people...

'If my partner doesn't want to see a professional together, I don't see how anything can change!' | 'My partner's too scared to see someone - is there any other options?' | 'My partner doesn't accept we're in a neurodiverse relationship and won't see anyone to sort things out. I'm losing hope that things can ever get better if I can't get them to couples counselling. What do I do?' | 'I've said I'll leave if they won't come with me but I think that's made things worse. Can you help?'

So if you're ready to sort things out and your partner isn't what CAN you do?! The good news is.... LOTS!!

In this episode, we're busting the myth that things can only get better if both partners are on board with sorting the relationship out and both are willing to attend professional relationship support together.

So many people we speak to have either forced, dragged, coerced, or used ultimatums to persuade their partner along to couples counselling or some other form of professional support for couples and been bitterly disappointed with how it went or the results they achieved. It's often done more harm than good, for individuals and the relationship or outcomes have been temporary.

We know there are good outcomes for people too .. it's just probably not those who are listening to this podcast! If you're here, you've more likely been finding the information that concludes or seems to imply that there's no way your relationship can ever improve unless both partners are actively involved in sorting out the issues that one or both of them are experiencing - that all feels like a dead end of it's only you right now that's ready to sort things out.

We're here with a different perspective because ten years ago we faced the same dead end and it left us feeling more stuck and powerless to change our situation, for us, for our children, for the relationship. It was devastating. We found a new way through... so let's dive into our next conversation.

*****

Want to learn more or join us on the road to being YOU and thriving in your own neurodiverse relationship or family?

Join Loving Difference at https://www.lovingdifference.net/

Loving Difference - HOPE and a Way Forward for Neurodiverse Relationships ✨

Loving Difference is hosted by Natalie Roberts and Heather Parks. The Loving Difference Relationship System they coach, specifically designed for neurodiverse relationships, prioritises recovery first and new foundations for better communication and connection. Subscribing members in the programme hosted there are solving the biggest issues experienced in neurodiverse relationships: exhaustion, being YOU, communication, connection, intimacy, resentment and reactivity.

#neurodiverse #neurodiversity #asd #autismspectrumdisorder #autismawareness #aspergers #autism #dontletanyonedullyoursparkle #aspergersrelationship #mentalhealth #happyrelationship #neurodiverserelationship #cultivateyourhappiness #beyouagain #beyou #liveslow #livewithintent #autismspectrum #neurodiverselove #lovingdifference #adhd #love #neurodiversecouple #coach #neurodiverserelationshipcoach #neurodiversefamilycoach

www.lovingdifference.netRecently we got together to celebrate being friends for nine years and a special AUA (Ask Us Anything!) answering questions from Loving Difference members.In 2014, we both felt like we were suffocating and trapped in lives we couldn't change. It was as if life had drained the life out of us. We hoped that discovering neurodiversity would sort out the daily nightmare that our lives had become. Meeting each other, we started to breathe again. We found ways to bring ourselves back to life, woke up from the nightmare and step by step by step began to experience the love, connection, peace and harmony we'd been craving. We love that we get to create some of that magic and share those ways with you!In our celebration conversation, we touched on a range of topics including - life before meeting in November 2014, - friendship origins, - how we shrink geography, - what inspired Loving Difference, - acceptance, - knowing we'd be ok and - the limits of labels.You won't be surprised to hear that we didn't get through all your amazing questions so there will be a sequel!!Enjoy! ✨ps. If you’ve run out of hope and ways, sign up for Loving Difference via www.lovingdifference.net