How Different Communication Styles, Alexythymia and Cognitive Empathy Can Impact Your Relationship- Thomas Henley

During this episode with Thomas Henley, the "Thoughty Auti" we begin our conversation talking about dating challenges and how to better understand how different neurology may have an impact on your dating relationships. If you are in a relationship and would like to skip the dating discussion it starts at about 12:30 and ends at about 35:25.

After we discuss dating, Thomas shares openly and honestly about the following topics:

• Understanding your different communication styles.
• The impact of misunderstanding and miscommunication.
• Using emojis to understand "tone".
• The way different thoughts are expressed and the impact of being direct.
• Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria.
• Being patient and really trying to understand your partner.
• Both partners may feel like they are not heard, understood or validated.
• Alexythymia-difficulty noticing and categorizing your emotions.
• The value of "explaining emotions", not just "expressing" them.
• Difficulty regulating emotions.
• Understanding that it may take your autistic partner a few hours, days or longer to know what they are feeling.
• Cognitive empathy and the challenge with being able to give the response the other person needs.
• If you're invested in your relationship, assume good intentions.
• Saying exactly what you are thinking and feeling with no subtext.
• Being patient, rather then making snap judgements.
• Forgetting that your brains are different in the midst of conflict.
• Understanding intimacy and sensory profiles.
• The challenges of having lots of indirect communication with physical and sexual intimacy.
• Feeling safe to communicate your intimacy needs.
• Mental health challenges can impact intimacy.

• The nuances of dating and on-line apps.
• How the "Pick-Up Artists" are impacting dating.
• Trying to make dating into something logical and scripted.
• Not everyone has the social battery to go out in public, or start conversations with strangers when on dates.

You can e-mail Thomas Henley at: hi@thomashenley.co.uk and follow him on social media, listen to his podcast, or YouTube videos here.

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If you want to buy a digital deck of the Neurodiverse Love Conversation Cards or get more information about the support groups that Mona facilitates for neurodiverse couples, or the neurotypical/non-autistic partners, check out her website at: www.neurodiverse love.com, or send her an email at: neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com