Counselor Laura Schreiner opens up about her own 20-year neurodiverse marriage—sharing expert insights, hard truths, and what makes love last.
In this episode, neurodiverse relationship expert, Jodi Carlton, sits down with returning guest Laura Schreiner, a seasoned counselor who specializes in working with #neurodivergent adults and couples. Laura shares insights from her own 20-year #neurodiversemarriage, offering a rare and compassionate look at how communication struggles, #masking, #emotionalburnout, and unmet expectations play out in real life—and what it looks like when couples decide to stay in it and do the work.
💬 You’ll hear Laura break down:
- Why communication isn’t linear in neurodiverse partnerships
- How she and her #autistichusband navigate misunderstandings with humor and empathy
- The surprising shift that helped her let go of “fixing” and focus on her own growth
- What really makes or breaks these relationships in the long run
Whether you’re the #autisticpartner, the #neurotypical one, or somewhere in between—this episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and hard-earned truth.
00:00 Can Neurodiverse Relationships Work Long-Term?
01:23 Meet Laura Schreiner: Counselor & Neurodiverse Partner
02:45 Why Laura Speaks for Both Partners in This Episode (Respecting Privacy in Neurodiverse Relationships)
05:52 What Makes Neurodiverse Relationships So Challenging? And What Are Some Solutions
06:12 Communication Is Not Linear
08:02 Her Husband’s Powerful Quote on Communication Challenges
09:35 Jodi and Laura Talk About the Shame, Embarrassment, and Self-Criticism Neurodivergent Partners Often Experience
13:13 Pulling the Thread: A Real-Life Example of a Communication Breakthrough
20:58 Responding to “Why Should I Be the One Doing All the Work?”
24:14 Believing in Yourself & Doing the Inner Work: What Makes a Neurodiverse Relationship Work
26:58 Her Husband’s Self-Awareness Breakthrough
28:53 Letting Go of Codependency in Neurodiverse Relationships
33:04 Coming Up Next: More Wisdom from Laura in Part 2
✨ About Laura Schreiner:
Laura Schreiner is a licensed professional counselor in Illinois who specializes in working with neurodivergent adults and couples. Her expertise is deeply personal—Laura discovered in 2017 that her husband is autistic, a revelation that reshaped both her personal and professional life.
Certified in Neurodiverse Couples Therapy through the Asperger/Autism Network (AANE), Laura combines over 15 years of clinical experience with firsthand insight into the unique dynamics of neurodiverse relationships. She is currently developing new ways to educate and support the neurodiverse community on how brain wiring differences shape communication, connection, and partnership.
To follow Laura’s work or get in touch, visit laurasnc.com.
👉 Real stories. Tangible strategies. Watch more honest conversations from Season 5: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSyXJdjUav7qLvkJFwE-KcG73-Fzuzu29
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#communicationchallenges #codependencyrecovery #emotionalboundaries #marriageadvice #selfawareness
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👩💼 About Your Host: Jodi Carlton, MEd
Jodi Carlton is a neurodiverse relationship coach with over 20 years of experience as a therapist, coach, author, and educator. She’s also neurodivergent herself—diagnosed with ADHD as an adult—and brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. After 19 years in a marriage with an autistic partner and raising neurodivergent children, Jodi developed a deeply personal understanding of what it takes for relationships like yours to work—and the pitfalls that can derail them. She now coaches individuals, couples, and families around the world using a solution-focused approach that delivers real clarity and lasting change.
👉 Explore more episodes, free resources, quizzes, and courses:
https://jodicarlton.com
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