

Is This Autism?-Co-Authors Donna Henderson,Sarah Wayland and Jamell White
May 3, 2024
55:40
If you would like to learn more about the resources available through Neurodiverse Love, including the Neurodiverse Love Conversation Cards and Workbook, please go to: www.neurodiverselove.com
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During this episode, Mona has a great conversation with Donna Henderson, Sarah Wayland and Jamell White, the authors of "Is This Autism-A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else" and "Is This Autism-A Companion Guide for Diagnosing". The topics addressed include:
- The value of explicit, direct communication.
- Making assumptions that may not be true.
- Misinterpretation during communication.
- Understanding high and low context.
- Taking things personally or judging your partner.
- Being held accountable for something you didn’t say but may have been inferred.
- Be curious when you feel yourself getting triggered.
- Be aware of the amount of time you need to transition from work to conversation.
- Get engagement first and then start communicating.
- May have different fundamental needs around communication.
- Needing voice inflection to understand meaning.
- Flat affect or tone of voice may be received incorrectly.
- Needing to process things out loud- vs- alone.
- How can you each get your needs met without overpowering or neglecting the other?
- Understand if your partner needs more processing time during a conversation.
- Understand what leads to flooding or shutdown during conversations.
- Understand when you’re hyperverbal you may be flooding your partner.
- Asking your partner for what you need at the beginning of a conversation.
- Understanding that you and your partner may define words differently.
- Accepting that there are differences that may not be changeable.
- Not having time awareness can create challenges and your partner may need transition reminders.
- When frustrations are festering because you haven’t communicated explicitly what you need.
- One person should not have all the burden of change.
- What are the top 3 things that are challenges in your relationship?
- Learning how to regulate your nervous system before engaging in a conversation with your partner.
- There are different ways of connecting and we need to understand each other’s needs.
- Sharing activities may be a great way for you to connect with your partner or family member.
- What was your partner’s family’s communication style?
- Understanding that fear in communication can create challenges.
- People are usually doing the best they can with what they have.
- Just ask!!!
- See things through a curiosity lens.
You can contact Jamell White at: drjamellwhite@gmail.com
You can contact Donna Henderson at: www.drdonnahenderson.com
You can contact Sarah Wayland at: www.guidingexceptionalparents.com