Best of the Best Video Conferences

Video Conferences are a bonus of being a member of one of our online communities. In each video conference, the topic is discussed and attending members can participate in the discussion and get their questions answered.

A Few of Our Most Popular Video Conferences

Here are a sampling of our most popular video conferences topics to show you the level of support you receive when joining either Meetup or her Advanced Community Forum.

We Have Streamlined Our Support Resources!

You can now listen to all past conference recordings as a member of the “Asperger Syndrome”: Partners & Family of Adults with ASD Advanced Community Forum.

As a member of our Advanced Community Forum, you have the opportunity to participate during the live event or listen to the recordings afterwards. 

Is it NeuroDivergent Codependence or Self Preservation?

VIDEO CONFERENCE: Is it NeuroDivergent Codependence or Self Preservation?

Do feelings of guilt surface when you consider leaving your relationship? And on the other hand, do you feel just as guilty for staying?

This is the dilemma of our lives with loved ones on the Spectrum. It’s tough to explain this conundrum to our friends and family and even our psychologist. Why is that? I’d like to banish your guilt once and for all. Why should you feel guilty for having an impossible choice to make?

It’s not simple and no one understands that except members of this group. Let’s gather together on this video conference to learn more about being caught in what psychologists call a “Lose-Lose” situation. Because we are a group of thoughtful, caring, committed people, we search for “Win-Win” solutions, but what do you do when the options are slim?

Get rid of Micro-Aggressions from your NeuroDivergent relationship

VIDEO CONFERENCE: Get rid of Micro-Aggressions from NeuroDivergent Relationships

This is an important topic that is worth repeating. A few years ago, a new word was coined, “Micro-Aggressions” in the context of bullying and discrimination in schools and the workplace. But I think we NeuroTypicals are an overlooked population that experiences these micro-aggressions on a daily basis.

When you are told only what you have done poorly, not what you have done well. . . or you are criticized for being critical when you only disagree . . . or you are told you always get your way, when that is hardly true, . . . or you arrange loving displays of affection for the holidays, but your birthday is ignored, . . . or . . . you fill in the blank. . .

These are Micro-Aggressions.

As you well know, these micro-aggressions are demoralizing. Even worse than the original hostile comment is that there is little chance of repairing the relationship with an assertive confrontation. Merely asserting yourself can result in an escalation of hostilities, making you feel even worse.

But all is not lost. During this video conference, we will discuss ways to deal with these micro-aggressions and save your sanity.

Anxiety, Meltdowns and the Silent Treatment

VIDEO CONFERENCE: Anxiety, Meltdowns and the Silent Treatment

Isn’t this an important topic? When NeuroDiverse people have rants, or meltdowns into a rage or torrent of tears, or they give you that blank look and walk away. . . we NeuroTypicals feel rejected, confused and abused.

Plus, we need so much support to hang in there with these extreme emotional reactions. Our sensory system is overwhelmed too. So how do you hang in there with your loved ones and still take care of ourselves?

A teenage NeuroDiverse client of mine threatened me recently with quitting therapy because he claimed I was “judgmental.” He said he could get better therapy from the Internet. He also said he feels like stabbing people with knives. . . although he says he wouldn’t do it. He told me he just wanted to get the anger out of his head but that my judgmental behavior got in his way. I thought for a moment and had an epiphany. “Do you just want to rant with no interference from me?” He looked at me with surprise and said, “Of course. That’s the type of therapy that works for me!”

I don’t consider listening to my clients’ rants very effective therapy. It just reinforces anger. On the other hand, it may be a place to start. But what do you do when you aren’t a psychologist? Let’s meet to discuss this mysterious need to rant, and control and hide from strong emotions.

Why our NeuroDiverse partners can’t affirm us

VIDEO CONFERENCE: Why our NeuroDiverse partners can’t affirm us

It is natural for us, NeuroTypicals, to affirm each other. We smile, nod our heads, and shake hands. We also use words of affirmation easily. Simple greetings like “Hi,” or “Good morning,” are affirmations. But we can reach deeper and offer a firm hug, a knowing look, or kind words that only the other person will understand.

Certainly, NeuroDiverse people have mastered a modicum of affirmative behavior, but it is lackluster, isn’t it? Without Empathy, their comments miss the mark. They might care, but they aren’t caring.

This lack of affirmation hits us like a ton of bricks. We are so wired for giving and receiving affirmation that the lack of it from our ASD loved one is unnerving. Let’s meet to talk about how to protect our hearts from those with EmD-0.