Episode 231: Neurodivergent Friendships and Social Struggles [featuring Caroline Maguire]

In this episode, Patrick Casale talks with Caroline Maguire, ACCG, PCC, M.Ed. Caroline is an award-winning author and coach whose work inspires crucial conversations around social skills, friendship, and belonging—especially for neurodivergent adults. Patrick and Caroline discuss everything from unmasking and authentic connection to the real-life struggles and victories of forming meaningful relationships as adults who think differently.Here are 3 key takeaways:Go with Your Gut: Whether you’re writing, working, or building friendships, trust your instincts. Embracing confidence in your own voice—even when it means not pleasing everyone—is essential for authenticity and fulfillment.Friendship Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: Forget “traditional” networking advice. For neurodivergent adults, it’s about finding high-interest, safe spaces and understanding your own sensory needs. Deep connection can happen outside the typical social settings—there’s no single path to friendship.Honor Your Energy and Needs: Setting boundaries and being honest about what drains or energizes you is vital. The friends who respect your limits (whether it’s choosing not to be in social situations, preferring smaller gatherings, or picking shade over sun) are your people.More about Caroline:Caroline Maguire, ACCG, PCC, M.Ed., is an award-winning author, coach, teacher, and keynote speaker whose work has inspired important conversations about social skills, friendship, and belonging. Caroline has been a rock for thousands of people who struggle to make friends. Her book “Why Will No One Play With Me?” has won several awards, including the Best Book Award from American Book Fest, Mom’s Choice Award for Honoring Excellence, and Book Authority’s award for Best ADHD Books of All Time. Caroline’s next book for adults, Friendship Skills for the Neurodivergent: A Guide for the Quirky, Anxious, and Easily Distracted, will release in April 2026.Website: carolinemaguireauthor.comFacebook: facebook.com/AuthorCarolineMInstagram: instagram.com/authorcarolinemYouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCnDmu0c8kr0co2ppXo3EC8ATwitter: twitter.com/AuthorCarolineMLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/authorcarolinecmTikTok: tiktok.com/@authorcarolinemPinterest: pinterest.com/AuthorCarolineMNew book release soon - Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults is on sale! amazon.com/Friendship-Skills-Neurodivergent-Adults-Distracted/dp/1538773082–––––––––––––––––––––🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube✈️ Learn about Retreats🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community–––––––––––––––––––––Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad & Portland, Maine, Summit 2026!✨ The Receptionist for iPadThanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.✨ Portland, Maine, Summit 2026The 2026 Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway Summit is happening for the first time in the United States in beautiful Portland, Maine, on September 1st–3rd, 2026. Portland, Maine, is a beautiful coastal city in the Atlantic Ocean. There's a lot of history there, and it's a very funky, creative, safe, walkable, diverse, and progressive city. You will get 9 NBCC CEs. We have ASWB pending—we'll make an announcement when that's finalized—and have 13 prolific industry leaders. This summit has always been about showing that our skills are applicable in so many different ways, and to motivate you to think bigger, grow in this profession, take more risks, work through self-doubt, and really embrace the doubt-yourself-do-it-anyway mentality. Spots are limited. Reserve your spot here: empoweredescapes.com/portland-maine-summitDoubt yourself. Do it anyway. See you in Maine.Free Gifts for Our Listeners✨ Free Podcasting WorkbookGet a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: atppod.com/free-podcasting-workbook✨ Move Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent EntrepreneurMove Beyond Private Practice As A Neurodivergent Entrepreneur is a FREE 5-part mini-course designed for therapists who want sustainable financial independence beyond one-on-one work.Access your free mini-course here: atppod.com/move-beyond-private-practice-freeMentioned in this episode:Portland, Maine, Summit 2026 The 2026 Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway Summit is happening for the first time in the United States in beautiful Portland, Maine, on September 1st–3rd, 2026. Portland, Maine, is a beautiful coastal city in the Atlantic Ocean. There's a lot of history there, and it's a very funky, creative, safe, walkable, diverse, and progressive city. You will get 9 NBCC CEs. We have ASWB pending—we'll make an announcement when that's finalized—and have 13 prolific industry leaders. This summit has always been about showing that our skills are applicable in so many different ways, and to motivate you to think bigger, grow in this profession, take more risks, work through self-doubt, and really embrace the doubt-yourself-do-it-anyway mentality. Spots are limited. Reserve your spot here:...