Neurodiverse Mediation: Clients with Adult Autism, ADHD, and PTSD-Nicole Knowlton

Oct 28, 2025

Nicole Knowlton, a neurodivergent specialist with expertise in ASD and ADHD assessment and mediation, dives deep into unique mediation strategies for individuals with autism, ADHD, and PTSD. She discusses the complexities of divorce and estate disputes in neurodivergent families, emphasizing tailored approaches. Nicole highlights how hormonal fluctuations impact emotional regulation and medication effects, advocating for increased awareness and practical strategies to enhance mediation outcomes. Her insights offer a compassionate lens on resolving conflicts while preserving relationships.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Mediation Tailored To Neurodivergence

Neurodiverse mediation tailors the process to autistic, ADHD, and PTSD-affected adults and families rather than treating behaviors as personality flaws.
Nicole emphasizes preserving long-term family relationships and creating parenting plans that consider neurodivergent stress responses.

ADVICE

Plan For The Child's Long-Term Future

Use mediation to envision long-term parental relationships rather than short-term emotional victories during separation.
Focus discussions on shared future goals for the child to produce collaborative, durable parenting plans.

ADVICE

Accommodate Neurodivergent Responses

Prepare mediations to accommodate shutdowns, meltdowns, flashbacks, sensory needs, and extra processing time.
Seek mediators knowledgeable about neurodivergence to avoid misinterpretation and escalation into litigation.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

If you would like more information about the resources Mona provides through Neurodiverse Love you can check out her website at neurodiverselove.com

——————————————————————————

During this session from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference Nicole Knowlton, MA, MDR, JD shares information about neurodiverse mediation.

Neurodiverse Mediation focuses on resolving conflicts involving neurodivergent individuals, such as those who are autistic, or have ADHD, PTSD or a combination. It addresses challenges like communication differences, emotional dysregulation, and sensory needs, particularly in divorce, parenting, and estate disputes. Specialized mediators help create customized solutions and ensure fairness while managing the unique difficulties neurodivergent people face under stress. An additional part of understanding neurodivergence vulnerabilities includes a closer look at hormonal changes related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoria Disorder (PMDD), and menopause. These changes may have a significant impact on emotional regulation, medication efficacy, and relationship dynamics. By understanding these factors, mediators can foster more compassionate and effective conflict resolution.

Nicole would describe herself as a neurodivergent specialist. She has personal and family experience with autism, ADHD, PTSD and PMDD. Her education and training includes a focus on ASD and ADHD assessments, marriage and family therapy, family law, and conflict resolution among neurodivergent individuals, couples and families. Personally, she was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD late in life. It was thanks to her children that she obtained the correct diagnosis. Nicole is divorced after a 13-year neurodiverse relationship and was initially drawn into this area to do her part to spread awareness, help identify other untreated or undiagnosed autistics, and help families and couples separate with a long-term plan of success. Nicole had a very messy divorce and if she had the right information, everyone would have suffered so much less. She is so grateful when families opt to mediate divorce when there are children involved.

You can contact Nicole at the link below:

NICOLE KNOWLTON | Neurodiverse Couples