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Bridging the Gap: Supporting Both Neurodivergent & Neurotypical Family Members
Nostalgic Neurodivergent Podcast·Kori·Feb 18, 2025· 2 minutes

Ever feel like you’re speaking a different language from your neurotypical family members? Or that you and your neurodivergent child experience the world in completely opposite ways?

You’re not alone. Navigating a family with mixed neurotypes can be challenging—but with the right strategies, it’s absolutely possible to foster connection instead of conflict.

In this episode, we’ll cover:
Why neurodivergent & neurotypical brains process the world differently
Common friction points & communication challenges in mixed-neurotype families
How to foster understanding between neurodivergent & neurotypical family members
Practical strategies to meet everyone’s needs—without burning out

🎧 Press play now to learn how to build connection & reduce frustration in your mixed-neurotype family.

📢 Listen & Subscribe on Your Favorite Platform:

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How neurodivergent & neurotypical brains process emotions, sensory input, and routines differently
Why communication & emotional regulation look different for different neurotypes
Common challenges in mixed-neurotype families—and how to navigate them
Practical strategies to support all family members without losing yourself in the process

🕒 Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction – Navigating the unique challenges of mixed-neurotype families
[00:01:00] How neurodivergent & neurotypical brains function differently (science-backed insights)
[00:02:00] Common friction points in mixed-neurotype households
[00:03:00] Bridging the gap: Communication strategies for neurodivergent & neurotypical family members
[00:04:00] How to meet everyone’s needs without burning out
[00:05:00] The power of co-regulation & validating experiences
[00:06:00] The Elephant in the Room: You won’t meet everyone’s needs perfectly every time—and that’s okay

🚀 Action Steps:

👉 Teach the “why.” Help neurotypical family members understand neurodivergent needs by explaining the reason behind behaviors.
👉 Use visual supports & written reminders. Neurodivergent individuals often process information better through visuals or step-by-step instructions.
👉 Create sensory-friendly buffer zones. Establish different activity spaces to meet both movement seekers & those who need calm.
👉 Validate experiences instead of minimizing them. Instead of “It’s not a big deal,” try “I see this is hard for you—let’s figure out a way to make it easier.”

🔗 Download Your Free Resource: Master Your Emotions: 5 Simple Steps to Regulate & Reclaim Your CalmGet it here