How do social relationships feel as a neurodivergent?

The start of this post has to highlight four key areas which are related: 

1️⃣ The way a person observes social relationships. 

2️⃣ A sense of how social relationships can be organised. 

3️⃣ An explanation of what is happening within social relationships.

4️⃣ The potential to predict healthy and unhealthy outcomes in social relationships. 

The difference with a neurodiverse person are based off reactions. You see, most neurodiverse individuals wear multiple masks as a character armour. This reliable ‘tool to their toolbox’ helps deal with thoughts, appraisals, beliefs and negative attunement in social interactions. 

A neurotypical person will be able to use emotions and feelings to successfully analyse stimuli. They will use awareness to determine how to reject, avoid negligence and review criticism in a healthy process. If a person is feeling healthy stimulus these challenges can help determine growth in a person. 

I hope that people reading will find a curious line of enquiry or two in wondering, “how can I support my neurodiversity, or a neurodivergent person who’s cared for?” 

There are several techniques in the therapy room I’d offer at this point. However, this is a blogpost that offers help and guidance. I suggest shining a spotlight on the existence, expression and meaning in identity. I do often observe caution at this point as people see neglect and trauma-informed awareness grow. And that’s a typical reaction to feeling seen and valued just as you are. 

In finding social relationships more bearable using this awareness, I’d like to suggest some key points: being safe, being supported and exploring healthy stimulation. If our minds and bodies are overstimulated then it unlikely we’ll experience secure attachments, or empathic attunement in social situations. 

I realise that there is a lot of information around this subject, and most trying to sell the brand, product or get the clicks, likes and shares. I suggest these teaching points as they work for me as a neurodivergent. 

All the best 

Matt 🌈 🧠