No Ordinary Love: Neurodiversity in Intimate Relationships

Hosted by: Caron Starobin, and joined by panelists Libby Sinback & Sarah Wayland.

This panel presentation examines why neurodiversity matters in terms of justice, equity, and inclusion in couples relationships. It will highlight tools from Relational Life Therapy (RLT) that can be used to support intimate connection and cherishing in neurodiverse relationships.

• Examine the social and historical context for the concept of neurodiversity
• Identify and examine vulnerabilities, injustices, and inequities that neurodiverse people experience or are at risk of experiencing, particularly in relationships
• Demonstrate the applications of RLT with neurodiverse couples including slowing down the model; adjusting for diverse learning, sensory, social communication, emotional, and executive function needs; setting expectations; and creating the relational space for grief, repair, and cherishing
• Examine shame and family of origin issues in neurodiverse relationships through an RLT Lens
• Discuss similarities and differences in neurodiverse and neurotypical relationships through an RLT Lens
• Discuss how and why RLT is a model that is a particularly effective relational model with neurodiverse couples