Ways We Can Understand Our Most Authentic Selves: Mental, Emotional, Sensory, Body, Social and Passions-with Jackie Schuld

You can buy a digital deck of the "Neurodiverse Love Conversation Cards", or the recently released "Neurodiverse Love Conversation Card Workbook" at: www.neurodiverselove.com. On the Neurodiverse Love website you can also subscribe to the Neurodiverse Love newsletter, or get more information about the support groups that Mona facilitates for neurodiverse couples, or the neurotypical/non-autistic partners. Thank you for being part of the Neurodiverse Love community! ________________________________________________________ On this episode, Jackie Schuld, a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist and mental health counselor, shares her expertise and lived experiences as a late diagnosed Autistic ADHD human. She provides valuable information on the 6 categories that she helps neurodivergent individuals understand and accept as they move forward to create their most authentic life. Other topics addressed include: Understanding your autistic (or AuDHD) characteristics and getting clarity about what you accept and what you may want to work on or change. Making sense of things after diagnosis or self identification. Art can help move the emotions through you and help you tap into the subconscious and look at what needs to be processed. You may need to focus on and process your grief before moving forward. Know that it's okay to have feelings and they are happening for a reason. The importance of getting to a place of understanding yourself in 6 categories: Mental/Thinking; Emotional, Sensory, Body, Social and Passions. Passions are used to regulate your nervous system. Don't take it personal when your autistic partner wants to be alone. Emotionally may have higher highs and lower lows and experience intense emotions more frequently. Autistics may have enhanced senses and this can be physically and mentally exhausting. Understand what each partner needs to regulate their nervous system. Learn how to take care of your brain. Know your social quota. May have challenges having conversations when there are a lot of sensory issues to deal with. Increase self-awareness and understand yourself so you can take a break before you've reached your limit. One thought can lead to a hundred other thoughts (constellation or multilayered thinking). Understanding interoception and proprioception Being aware of the needs of your body and being able to sense when you're hungry, thirsty or need to use the bathroom. Food sensitivities and understanding the mind/gut connection. The challenges of being misdiagnosed. Looking at how you've been treated and how you've treated others. You can learn more about the services Jackie offers and her writings on her website: www.jackieschuld.com Jackie's book "Life as a Late-Identified Autistic" will be published in January 2024.