Neurodiverse Couples Therapy
You aren’t connecting.
With every situation, it feels like you’re on different wavelengths in the way you perceive the world and communicate with each other.
Your partner feels emotionally disconnected and appears to put no effort into understanding how you feel. It can come across as a personal slight, and then you wonder – “Do they really love me?”
When it comes to something they’re interested in, all their attention is in full focus. But for sitting down with you and discussing problems or emotions, they seem checked out.
All you can think is that they don’t care about you or your feelings. What’s going on here?
You’ve tried everything.
You’ve tried all the different ways you can think of to communicate, to be patient, but you’ve reached the end of your rope.
It can often feel like a one-sided relationship, and you can’t quite understand why your partner isn’t interested in where you are coming from.
You feel hopeless – you don’t know if you can do this anymore.
Are they being selfish, or is there more going on here?
When this type of confusion and frustration comes to light, one or both partners may have Autism.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects the ability to communicate and interact with others and can also appear as sensory difficulties. Unfortunately, in many cases, individuals don’t receive a diagnosis until they reach adulthood.
I’m often the first to mention to a couple that one might be autistic and suggest an evaluation when I feel that neurodiversity may be the source of many of their problems.
While finally having an explanation can bring a welcome sense of relief; it can also bring on additional confusion – what now? Where do you go from here?
How Lyndsey, a Certified Neurodiverse Couples Counselor, Can Help
As an AANE (Asperger/Autism Network) certified couples therapist, I can speak your language and fully understand the frustrations arising in your relationship.
I’ll also help you find creative solutions and be innovative regarding how to communicate, reconnect, and understand each other.
It’s not surprising that many signs of autism present themselves in a romantic relationship. Our extensive need to interact and communicate can often be difficult for many individuals who are neurodivergent.
How do I know if it’s Autism?
Although autism presents differently in each person, you can look for some common traits if you feel that either you or your partner may have autism:
Do you or your partner experience difficulty understanding what others are thinking or feeling or viewing a perspective other than your own? Do you often notice that you take things literally – or exhibit “black and white thinking,” with trouble seeing the “gray areas”?
Do one or both of you struggle to understand sarcasm – or even common social norms and cues? When you try to engage, do you consequently make social gaffes and blunders, such as inappropriate jokes in public – and respond with hypersensitivity to criticism?
Perhaps one or both of you feel emotionally challenged when trying to express how you really feel. Maybe you see communication strictly to exchange information, leaving little room for expression of emotion, so your directness comes off unintentionally as blunt or disinterested.
How sacred is your sense of order and tranquility? Do you have extreme negative reactions to sensory overload or the slightest change to or interruption of your daily routine? Do one or both of you become hyper-focused on certain hobbies and activities?
If you identify with one or more of these situations, neurodiversity could be the cause of your disconnect.
Don’t waste another minute feeling frustrated on your own!
Call us today at (817) 562-6089 or click here to request an intake appointment. Let us help you bridge the gap. Our therapists work with clients and couples who identify as neurodiverse or co-neurodivergent.
Together, you can learn new ways to communicate and create a happy relationship again.