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“A much-needed resource for couples navigating a neurodiverse relationship. With warmth and respect for both partners, Dr. Ariel emphasizes that neurodiversity is a natural variation in how people are wired—and the most common brain wiring is not inherently correct. This book shows how neurology shapes communication, empathy, intimacy, and connection, and helps you apply these insights to your own relationship, translating knowledge into meaningful change.”

—Jodi Carlton, MEd, neurodiverse relationship expert; host, YOUR Neurodiverse Relationship podcast


“Dr. Ariel has gifted the Autistic community and the rest of humanity with vital keys to greater mutual understanding. Neurodiverse couples now have a solid, helpful guide with practical, easy-to-implement steps for enriching their relationships.”

—Stephen Shore, EdD, School of Education, Adelphi University; Autistic educator, presenter, and consultant


“This book is essential reading for any couple looking to connect on a deeper level when your brains are wired a bit differently from one another. Dr. Ariel helps both of you challenge your assumptions about what is 'normal' in a relationship—so you can redefine what truly works for your own unique partnership.”

—Liz Greenfield, PhD, private practice, Greenfield Speech and Psychological Services, Atlanta

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Table of Contents

Introduction

1. What Makes You Different?

2. Differences in Everyday Life

3. Appreciating Your Neurodiverse Relationship

4. Communication Differences

5. Enhancing Your Communication

6. Raising, Repairing, and Resolving Conflicts

7. Empathy and Support

8. Social Needs and Interaction

9. Division of Labor

10. Sex and Intimacy

11. Autism, the Two of You, and Everything Else

12. Always Forward

Resources

Bibliography

Index

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About the Author

Cindy N. Ariel, PhD, is a Philadelphia-based psychologist who works with individuals and couples from a collaborative, psychodynamic, and empowering feminist lens. In 1992, she cofounded Alternative Choices, an independent group psychology practice that specializes in supporting neurodiverse individuals and their families. Dr. Ariel is widely recognized for her work with couples in neurodiverse relationships. She combines clinical insight with compassion and advocacy to promote understanding, acceptance, and the celebration of diversity, including neurodiversity.

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Audience

Couples in which at least one partner is neurodivergent; also of interest to mental health professionals.