During this episode I talk with another AANE Certified Therapist, Kory Chase, LCSW. Kory worked for the school system for 20 years before she started her private practice. She specializes in conducting autism assessments and working with neurodiverse couples and individuals. Kory shares a little bit about her family history with neurodiversity and the journey she was on to find a professional she could trust to conduct an autism assessment for her daughter. During this journey, Kory took a deep dive into gaining more understanding about autistic females, so she could better understand how to support and parent her daughter. We also talk about how to communicate about neurodiversity with other family members and the strength based suggestions she has. In addition, we discuss a lot of other very important topics including:

• Trusting and believing when someone shares they are autistic and asking "what is the cost of me believing what I am being told"?
• That autistic individuals are often misdiagnosed many times before getting the correct diagnosis.
• The importance and value of a diagnosis, or self-identification, and that this is SO much bigger then the DSM!
• How it may feel after finally getting the correct assessment.
• The value and importance of psycho-education and defining and understanding what success and connection look like to each partner in a neurodiverse relationship.
• Understanding how your partner processes hard things and accepting that some things are not intentional.
• Neurodiverse couples can become "Power Couples" when they recognize how differences can enhance their relationship.
• Defining & understanding "Emotional Connection" and understanding each others love languages.
• Importance of knowing & understanding "expectations".
• Finding overlapping interests.
• The role of solitude in creating calm.
• Differences in sex, physical intimacy and relationship dynamics.
• Rules in the beginning of a relationship and how they change over time.
• The impact of understand intimacy through the lens of movies and porn and the impact of changing sensory sensitivities.
• The best thing we can do is ask questions and find people that understand and get us!

You can contact Kory at: www.korychase.com.

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If you are interested in becoming an AANE certified therapist, or coach, or would like to register for the "Neurology Matters' training available through AANE, for couples or individuals in neurodiverse relationships, you can register at: aane.thinkific.com. Please use the code NeurodiverseLove25 to get 25% off the registration fee. To learn more about AANE, or to find an AANE certified therapist or coach in your area, please click here and look at the map halfway down the page.

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For more information about the support groups available for "neurodiverse couples" or the "neurotypical/non-autistic partners" please check out: www.neurodiverselove.com or follow Mona on Instagram @neurodiverse_love

You can also contact Mona at: neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com

Thank you for being a part of the Neurodiverse Love community!

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