Answering Listener Questions about NeuroDiverse Marriage with Heather Parks & Natalie Roberts

Today we took some listener questions and Dr.Stephanie asks them from neurodiverse couples to Natalie Roberts and Heather Parks. One key component- Neurodiversity is never THE only marriage challenge or complexity.ntroducing Natalie Roberts and Heather ParksHeather Parks has been in a neurodiverse relationship for over 25 years and lives in Devon, UK, with her husband and four children. Neurodiversity was unknown until 2012 when it exploded into their lives amid a mental health crisis that affected every family member. Ill from the persistent stress of trying to keep everyone afloat, desperate to find solutions, and losing hope that things would ever get better, Heather embarked on a journey in which she recovered herself and rebuilt connection firstly with herself and then in her relationship, family, and beyond. After 8 years of supporting families discovering and navigating neurodiversity, Heather certified with MasterCoach in 2020 before becoming a Positive Intelligence ® Coach. In 2021, she gained the ICF Accredited Certificate in Body-Oriented Coaching with The Somatic School in London, UK.Heather coaches individuals struggling in their neurodiverse relationships using a nervous system approach of safety and curiosity so that they can reconnect with themselves and create conscious, loving connections with others... so they can be themselves, too!Natalie Roberts lives in the UK with her husband Pete. She’s been married for 25 years and has known about neurodiversity, participating in it for 10 of those years when her husband discovered he’s autistic.Frustrated and depressed by toxic online groups, a lack of hope, and virtually no solutions that actually worked in real life, Natalie took a different path. Led by her social sciences background and inspired by her incessant curiosity to find a way where there is seemingly no way, she busted neurodiversity relationship myths, reversed symptoms of Cassandra Syndrome, and began to thrive in her relationship again! Professionally, as an accredited and award-winning Relationship Coach, Natalie coaches individuals who are struggling in their neurodiverse relationships to reverse the individual and relationship impact of unknown neurodiversity so that they can be true to themselves and feel empowered to make positive and hopeful decisions about their present and future.In 2020, Heather and Natalie co-founded Loving Difference to bring hope and a way forward for neurodiverse relationships to more people. Loving Difference has an online home that combines empowering coaching, a friendly community, and step-by-step guidance to be you again and flourish, with the company and encouragement of others navigating the same challenges. Heather and Natalie also co-host the Myth Busting Neurodiverse Relationships podcast.www.lovingdifference.netheather@lovingdifference.netwww.natalieroberts.com [email protected] Busting Neurodiverse Relationship podcast is available where you listen to podcasts.Disclaimer:When we have guests on the ASR podcast, they are recognized for their expertise in autism as advocates, self-advocates, clinicians, parents, or other professionals in the field. They may or may not be part of the faith community; having a guest on the broader topic of autism does not reflect complete agreement with the guest, just as many guests may not agree with our faith perspective. Guests are chosen by topic for the chosen podcast discussion and are not necessarily in full agreement with all beliefs of the chosen guest(s).