Goals For Neurodiverse Couples. Get past the diagnosis and save your marriage. Understanding the root of problems is important but what do you do about them? I’m sure you’ve educated yourself about ASD and Asperger’s and are filled with a range of emotions. It’s not fun being married to a partner on the Autism Spectrum. As a neurodiverse couples counselor, and wife of an Asperger husband, I know firsthand the frustration and aggravation of not being able to communicate. Struggling for many years you could be suffering from Cassandra Syndrome, which basically means you are feeling like you are literally going crazy.
Goals For Neurodiverse Couples
When entering into couples counseling it is imperative to work with a therapist who is trained and has experience working with neurodiversity. High functioning Asperger husbands married to Neurotypical wives can make their relationship harmonious, functional, and relational where they both feel the emotional connection they desire.
Goals to treatment include:
- Identify the specific Asperger’s trait that are contributing to the marital problems
- Identity the neurotypical partner’s needs and expectations for moving forward
- Discuss what has and hasn’t worked in the relationship so far
- Outline strategies to manage and change the dysfunctional areas of the relationship
- Overcome negative interactions together respectfully
- Develop a healthy work/life balance
- Improve shared decision making within the relationship
- Set and maintain positive, healthy personal boundaries
- Communicate effectively together
- Develop healthy expectations for the relationship
- Meet each other’s sexual needs
- Improve your system of mutual support
- Co-parenting
The length of time needed to complete couple’s therapy/coaching varies because each couple has their own set of circumstances. I have a process that includes a 3-hour intensive to make an assessment and create objectives to goals. I have practical tools to help 1) initiate conversation; 2) share thoughts and feelings, and 3) ask for what you need and want. I have tools to help understand that we each have perspectives and our perspectives are correct for oneself. When both are able to show empathy, validate each other’s perspective and commit to the plan for moving forward, prognosis is good.
So if you want help to be able to communicate more effectively and manage conflict contact me at (858) 735-1139 or visit my website CouplesCounselorSanDiego.com
