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"...

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,...

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)....

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...

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...

Mona and Olga have a new co-host and welcome her to the 31st episode of the "Neurodiverse Love" podcast.  Manecia is in a neurodiverse marriage and shares her story in a way that is encouraging and enlightening.  During this episode, we all talk about the importance of understanding your partner and learning what you both need to succeed and thrive individually, and as a couple in a neurodiverse relationship.  This is definitely a "don't miss" episode!!!  We know that you will all enjoy...

As more and more adults are diagnosed with autism (or they self-diagnose), it is critical that we find ways to understand and accept the various neurotypes that exist.  We all bring strengths and opportunities for improvement to our professional and personal lives, however, if we are quick to judge or negate each other, and don't seek understanding and acceptance, we lose out on so many wonderful learning, healing and growth opportunities.  Many partners in Neurodiverse Love relationships may...

During this episode Olga and Mona discuss the difference between starting a relationship and knowing your partner is neurodivergent at the beginning, versus finding out after over 25 years of marriage.  Is one easier then the other and if so, why? If you are looking for a Neurodiverse Love coach with many years of experience working with neurodiverse couples and neurotypical women in ND relationships, contact Dr. Pnina Arad at https://lp.vp4.me/efpr Follow us on Instagram...

In this episode we talk about how important it was for us to let go of the things we dreamed of having and experiencing in our Neurodiverse Love relationships.  In addition, we have learned over time that having expectations of our partners caused a lot of emotional pain and disappointment.  While there are strengths and challenges in every relationship, in the beginning of a ND relationship you are often your partner's special interest.  During that time, they want to do whatever they can to...

Mona and Olga are both comfortable with most change, and don't need to know, or understand the details regarding every aspect of their lives.  Instead, they tried to "go with the flow" as much as possible and find joy and the lessons to learn in the ups and downs of life.  In their Neurodiverse Love relationships change was a major challenge for their partners and "going with the flow" could lead to anxiety, anger or other negative reactions from their partners.  Knowing the importance of...

Our conversation with Joanne Hatchard delves into some of the experiences she has had as a neurodivergent woman that have helped her learn to embrace herself fully, while creating a very flexible loving path to parenting her son who is also neurodiverse.  She also shares some of the lessons she has learned from her own childhood, being a mother and how embracing all her strengths and challenges with her life partner has made her Neurodiverse Love relationship thrive. Joanne is a social...

As the neurotypical partners in our relationships, we often felt like we had to make SO many concessions with our partners.  Whenever they were on the verge of a shutdown or a meltdown, or actively in one of those phases, we found ourselves repeatedly making changes in ourselves and our relationships to reduce our partners anxiety, anger or stress.  While we both wanted to be supportive of our partners, we have also realized that we repeatedly compromised parts of ourselves, and that this...

When you love your partner, but don't know how to address the challenges you are both experiencing, it is easy to lose yourself as you try to maintain hope in your Neurodiverse Love relationship.  In this episode, Olga talks about why her ex left their relationship and Mona shares why she chose to move forward on separating from her ex.  Understanding what would be required by both partners to maintain the Neurodiverse Love relationship made making some critical decisions a bit easier....

Understanding neurodiversity has helped us both learn that we sometimes trusted our partners and prioritized their needs, at the expense of ourselves and our emotional and physical well-being.  At various times, we thought our exes were trying to control things that happened in our relationship.  However, looking back, we now realize that their actions were an attempt to maintain the equilibrium they had created (or craved) in their lives.  Unfortunately, at the time, this looked like they...

The more we have learned about Autism Spectrum Differences (ASD) and Neurodiversity, the more we understand the men we were in relationships with.  In the beginning of our relationships, the men we fell in love with shared the best parts of themselves with us and made us believe that anything was possible.  However, as we really got to know these wonderful men, things changed very quickly. Because we believed they were capable of achieving anything they focused on, we supported their dreams...

We all have different ways of coping and dealing with the challenges in our lives. In this episode, Mona and Olga talk about some of the coping mechanisms they have used in their neurodiverse love relationships, and some that were used by their exes. Whether you are neurodiverse or neurotypical, understanding how best to cope with the ups and downs in your relationships is very important. This episode may raise some questions for the listeners and we look forward to hearing from those of you...

Healing, coping and emotional growth after a break-up happens differently for everyone.  Mona and Olga talk about how they have coped and grown over the last few years and what changes or growth they have seen in their exes.

Rachel provides some more insight on her experiences being raised by neurodiverse parents.  She has such a wonderful perspective on the strengths of both of her parents and has learned how to speak and understand both of their "languages" (emotional/feelings and rational/logical). Rachel and her dad have always shared so many special interests and having Mona as her "Momna" has created opportunities for expanded social skills and the ability to try new things and take risks, which didn't...

For this episode, Mona and Olga are joined by Amy Gravino, a Relationship Coach and Autism Specialist.  Amy works at the Center for Adult Autism Services for Rutgers University.  She is also the founder and President of A.S.C.O.T. Consulting, which offers autism consulting, college coaching, and mentoring services for organizations, schools, and individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.  Amy is an international speaker who has given TED talks, spoken twice at the United Nations...

Making, nurturing and maintaining friendships in a neurodiverse world can sometimes be difficult.  During this episode we share some of the  challenges we saw as our exes worked to build and maintain friendships based on "neurotypical standards", and why finding people who share similar interests can lead to finding the best friend you never knew you were looking for. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram @neurodiverse_love Thanks everyone!

Neither one of us knew how to handle meltdowns and shutdowns, but we experienced both.  Both were challenging to deal with and were emotionally draining for us and probably our exes.  Knowing your partner is neurodiverse can definitely help you deal with these issues, but unfortunately neither one of us were prepared enough to handle these as well as we would have liked to. Please feel free to e-mail us at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram @neurodiverse_love.  Thanks...

In this episode we discuss how our ex partners spoke "rational and logical" and we spoke with more "emotion and feelings" and the impact this had on our relationships. Follow us on Instagram @neurodiverse_love and feel free to reach out by e-mail at: [email protected]

When you don't know you are in a Neurodiverse relationships it can be difficult to understand how difficult change may be for your partner.  We talk about the challenges of major life changes, minor day to day changes and what lessons we learned that could have helped make handling changes easier for both of our partners and our relationships.

Emotional reciprocity is very important in most relationships.  It occurs when your partner is able to share his/her emotions, thoughts and feelings with you and have back and forth conversations about issues that are important to each of you as both individuals and romantic partners.  Without emotional reciprocity, your partner may fail to initiate or respond to any social interactions with you, especially those that involve emotions (yours or theirs).  Nothing can prepare you for a partner...