Divergent Conversations

Sandra Coral, somatic therapist, founder of Neurodivergent Narratives, discusses the impact of labels on neurodivergent individuals and the use of somatic therapy. Topics include narratives, empowerment through personal exploration, the significance of somatic work, interpreting behaviors in educational settings, and navigating privilege and power.

Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a mental health professional specializing in AuDHD, joins Patrick Casale to dive deep into rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD). They explore how RSD is masked and its profound effects on shame and connection. The conversation also highlights the links between RSD, PMDD, and different perspectives from ADHD and autistic individuals. Plus, they share practical strategies for managing RSD to foster a nurturing environment and emphasize the importance of understanding core needs to break the cycle of shame.

If you struggle with rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), navigating social media can be complicated. Social media is both a place where many neurodivergent individuals are able to find connection and be seen, but it can also be a place where impulsivity and reactiveness can run rampant, both on the giving and receiving end of online conversations and posts.In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, delve deep into the complex relationship between social media, rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), setting boundaries, and mental well-being.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Understand how to address RSD burnout with social media, as well as the important role that boundary-setting plays in helping you show up online with reduced intensity of RSD.Hear about some ways that Autistic individuals may experience social media differently, and even more positively, than allistic people and neurotypicals.Learn some RSD-symptom-reducing strategies to check yourself and check in with others when you are struggling with fear of being misunderstood.As you navigate the complexities of social media, remember to check in with yourself and establish your boundaries for the way you interact with others online and who you allow into your space. Don’t be afraid to unfollow someone or snooze posts from a friend. Make it your priority to protect your mental well-being and engage in a healthier way.Resources plus Exclusive Coupon CodeDr. Neff's Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Workbook Bundle (Clinical Use): https://neurodivergentinsights.com/neurodivergentstore/p/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-clinical Dr. Neff's Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Workbook Bundle (Personal Use): https://neurodivergentinsights.com/neurodivergentstore/p/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-bundleUse Code: “DivergentConversationsListener” To get 20% off anything in the shop, including the RSD bundle. Dr. Neff's free blog posts on RSD: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/category/Rejection+Sensitive+Dysphoria The EFT attachment infinity loop can be downloaded here: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/couples-resources————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground————————————————————————————————✨ Neurodivergent Insights Autistic Burnout ResourcesIf you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources————————————————————————————————💬 Join Divergent Conversations UndergroundDivergent Conversations Underground is a space for messy conversations, real connection, and unfinished thoughts in a neurodivergent-affirming community. If you’d like to go deeper with us into more nuanced, searching conversations, join here: divergentconversations.substack.com————————————————————————————————Mentioned in this episode:Neurodivergent Insights' Autistic Burnout ResourcesIf you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources

Do you ever feel like you are more sensitive to rejection, teasing, criticism, or your own perception that you have failed or fallen short? Or maybe you know someone who seems to be particularly hard on themselves and reactive to others?Everyone experiences some reaction to rejection, but individuals with RSD find themselves more likely to perceive harsh rejection and criticism where there might be none and can sometimes feel like they live in a chronic state of rejection.In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, dive deep into the complexities of rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) and its impact on neurodivergent individuals and the people around them.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Understand the impact of RSD and how it can lead to chronic pain, affect relationships, and cause avoidance behaviors in professional and personal settings.Hear about some ways that RSD can impact relationship dynamics and major life changes and decisions.Learn about treatments and strategies to help with RSD, as well as ways to adapt therapeutic modalities to be more effective with neurodivergent individuals.Rejection sensitivity dysphoria can be difficult to navigate both internally and externally and can have a profound impact on the way you experience the world, but there are ways to address it that can help with reducing the intensity around feelings of rejection and finding ways to improve relationships through collaborative communication around RSD.Resources plus Exclusive Coupon CodeDr. Neff's Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Workbook Bundle (Clinical Use): https://neurodivergentinsights.com/neurodivergentstore/p/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-clinical Dr. Neff's Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Workbook Bundle (Personal Use): https://neurodivergentinsights.com/neurodivergentstore/p/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-bundleUse Code: “DivergentConversationsListener” To get 20% off anything in the shop, including the RSD bundle. Dr. Neff's free blog posts on RSD: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/category/Rejection+Sensitive+Dysphoria The EFT attachment infinity loop can be downloaded here: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/couples-resources————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground————————————————————————————————✨ Neurodivergent Insights Autistic Burnout ResourcesIf you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources————————————————————————————————💬 Join Divergent Conversations UndergroundDivergent Conversations Underground is a space for messy conversations, real connection, and unfinished thoughts in a neurodivergent-affirming community. If you’d like to go deeper with us into more nuanced, searching conversations, join here: divergentconversations.substack.com————————————————————————————————Mentioned in this episode:Neurodivergent Insights' Autistic Burnout ResourcesIf you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources

Explore the unique experiences of Autistic individuals without ADHD, including switching between masked and unmasked selves, sensory issues, demand avoidance, and parenting challenges. Discover insights on late autism diagnosis, unmasking authenticity, shutting out visual stimuli, navigating routines and stress behaviors, special interests, managing criticism, and supporting neurodivergent parents.

Jennifer Agee, a neurotypical mental health professional, joins Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff to discuss the contrasting experiences of neurotypicals and autistic individuals. They cover topics such as small talk, communication in neurodiverse relationships, travel experiences, and daily life. With personal stories and insights, the episode offers a glimpse into diverse ways of perceiving the world.

Dr. Donna Henderson, a non-Autistic ADHDer psychologist, discusses the differences between non-Autistic ADHDers and Autistic ADHDers, including topics like executive functioning, sensitivity, working memory, and self-care. The conversation explores how Autism and ADHD influence communication, relationships, and self-awareness. Dr. Henderson shares insights on breaking generic standards of healthy living to align with individual needs.

Autism and narcissism can sometimes get lumped together in conversations, but despite there being some seemingly overlapping traits, it is important to not generalize all people with narcissistic traits as individuals with a narcissistic personality disorder.In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, talk about the stereotypes, misconceptions, and misunderstandings surrounding autism and narcissism, as well as the traits that are often perceived to go with them.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Understand how social media, a more polarized society with low tolerance for disagreements, and privilege have impacted and shaped the use of the terms Autistic and narcissistic.Identify some of the ways and reasons that Autistic individuals may face challenges in perceiving the world from someone else's perspective, leading to misunderstandings in relationships and conflict in the workplace.Learn how communication styles, the ways autistic individuals find connection, and alexithymia can lead to mislabeling autistic people as unempathetic or narcissistic.Both diagnoses are complex and multifaceted, so join us in unraveling some of the complexities of narcissism and autism.*DISCLAIMER: Due to the limited time available in a podcast episode, we were only able to scratch the surface of the many nuances and conversations surrounding these complex diagnoses. We also want to emphasize that there are a lot of people with narcissistic personality disorder who are doing the work to get insight into it, so we don’t have the intention of putting down anyone who has received this diagnosis.This is only a glimpse into the topic, so we encourage your questions and comments and will try to address them when we are able to do so or in a future podcast episode. You can reach out to divergentconversations@gmail.com.————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground————————————————————————————————✨ Neurodivergent Insights Autistic Burnout ResourcesIf you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources————————————————————————————————💬 Join Divergent Conversations UndergroundDivergent Conversations Underground is a space for messy conversations, real connection, and unfinished thoughts in a neurodivergent-affirming community. If you’d like to go deeper with us into more nuanced, searching conversations, join here: divergentconversations.substack.com————————————————————————————————Mentioned in this episode:Neurodivergent Insights' Autistic Burnout ResourcesIf you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources

Pregnancy loss is traumatic and the grief process that follows is complex. And when you are Autistic, the way you express grief and loss might not meet the expectations of society, which can result in feeling ashamed and isolated. In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, speak with Dr. Kiley Hanish, a neurodivergent occupational therapist specializing in mental health during the perinatal period, about autistic grief and loss while focusing on pregnancy loss.Both Dr. Neff and Kiley, who are both Autistic, experienced pregnancy loss and they talk about their experiences personally, within the medical system, going through pregnancy again after experiencing loss, having to parent their children after pregnancy loss, then sensory overwhelm that comes with pregnancy and parenting, and the ongoing process of grieving.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Hear about the profound grief associated not only with losing a child but also with the loss of one's identity when becoming a parent.Understand some of the many ways that grief can manifest, and learn how to incorporate rituals and practices into the grieving process to honor your loss that is tailored toward the needs of autistic individuals.Identify the ways that the healthcare system can improve the responses to individuals experiencing pregnancy loss to help create safety and reduce trauma in difficult times.When experiencing loss, it’s not realistic to just “get over” the grief and move on. There are many complex emotions and often misunderstandings about what is the right way to deal with grief, especially when autism is brought into the equation. If you are experiencing this loss, you’re not alone and your experience is valid regardless of whether other people say you are “doing it right.”More about Dr. Kiley Hanish:Dr. Kiley Hanish is a neurodivergent occupational therapist specializing in mental health during the perinatal period, which includes pregnancy, postpartum, and perinatal loss. After suffering the stillbirth and loss of her first child Norbert, Kiley co-created the Emmy-nominated film Return To Zero to break the silence and stigma around pregnancy and infant loss for parents around the world. The film’s success and critical acclaim led to her non-profit organization Return to Zero: HOPE. This organization provides inclusive and compassionate education and support for bereaved families after pregnancy and infant loss. In addition, they provide training and support for health providers in order to foster more confidence when working with these families.Return to Zero: HOPE Website: https://rtzhope.orgKiley’s Instagram and Facebook: @rtzhopeAdditional Resources MentionedWorden’s Four Tasks Of Grieving: https://whatsyourgrief.com/wordens-four-tasks-of-mournin————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground————————————————————————————————✨ Neurodivergent Insights Autistic Burnout ResourcesIf you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources————————————————————————————————💬 Join Divergent Conversations UndergroundDivergent Conversations Underground is a space for messy conversations, real connection, and unfinished thoughts in a neurodivergent-affirming community. If you’d like to go deeper with us into more nuanced, searching conversations, join here: divergentconversations.substack.com————————————————————————————————Mentioned in this episode:Neurodivergent Insights' Autistic Burnout ResourcesIf you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources

Taking up space and asking for what you need in social settings and relationships can be particularly challenging for Autistic individuals, especially before Autistic diagnosis or discovery.It is not uncommon for many Autistic people to respond strongly to rejection, and we often work hard to "earn" a place in groups where we are allowed to safely exist by being helpful to others or blending in by dressing or acting in a way that seems "normal" or "acceptable."Maintaining these actions while constantly paying attention to details can be a painful and exhausting experience.In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the concept of taking up social and emotional space in interactions with others, what it felt like for them to balance efforts to belong with sensory overwhelm while they were still masking before Autism discovery, and the benefits of incorporating new ways of socializing and parallel play that honor their needs as autistic humans.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Understand the importance of Autistic individuals giving themselves permission to socialize in ways that feel comfortable and authentic to them.Hear about Patrick and Dr. Neff's struggles with taking up space and fully expressing themselves, as well as the challenges of showing up authentically in crowded environments, social situations, and even in running their own businesses.Learn about the importance of parallel play, both in social relationships and in connecting with neurodivergent communities, as well as how it provides a unique sense of comfort and understanding, allowing Autistic individuals to be themselves without the pressure to conform to neurotypical norms.Communicating our needs and creating spaces where we can be understood and accepted is crucial, especially for neurodivergent individuals.Finding the balance between self-expression and self-preservation can be a lifelong journey, but by honoring your needs and seeking community with individuals who understand and won't put the pressure of neurotypical values around relationships, it's possible to "create space" for yourself.————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground————————————————————————————————✨ Neurodivergent Insights Autistic Burnout ResourcesIf you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources————————————————————————————————💬 Join Divergent Conversations UndergroundDivergent Conversations Underground is a space for messy conversations, real connection, and unfinished thoughts in a neurodivergent-affirming community. If you’d like to go deeper with us into more nuanced, searching conversations, join here: divergentconversations.substack.com————————————————————————————————Mentioned in this episode:Neurodivergent Insights' Autistic Burnout ResourcesIf you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources