The holidays can be stressful for any couple—but for neurodiverse partners, surprises, travel, and changes in routine can make the season especially tough. In this short bonus episode, Jodi shares a sneak peek from her upcoming interview with Randall and Ashley Rowland, who open up about what makes holidays challenging for them and the “plan B” strategies that keep things calm and connected. It’s just 9 minutes long, and it might make your holidays a little easier too.

Watch this bonus episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8AztxuKAFjQ

Join the Neurodiverse Relationship Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/neurodiverserelationships

Get access to Jodi's Holiday Stress Buster Toolkit for Neurodiverse Couples and learn practical tools to help your holidays run smoothly.

When you first realize that autism or ADHD is part of your relationship, it’s so common to encounter “doomsday” narratives online—stories that make neurodiverse couples feel destined for disconnection.

In this episode, Mike and Amy are back for Part 2 to share what actually happens after the discovery and how they’ve stayed connected through burnout, resentment, emotional differences, and communication challenges.

Mike was identified as autistic in adulthood, long after their relationship began. Together, they talk honestly about the shifts they had to make, the misunderstandings that once felt overwhelming, and the unexpected strengths autism brings into their home and partnership.

If you missed Part 1, I encourage you to listen to that episode first. It covers how they discovered Mike is autistic and the early strategies that helped them build a more workable, sustainable rhythm together.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why so much advice about autistic–neurotypical couples feels negative
• The strengths, focus, and “superpowers” autism brings into daily life
• How Mike recognizes autistic burnout earlier and what helps prevent shutdowns
• The difference between being angry at your partner vs. angry about the situation
• How gender roles and emotional labor shape hetero neurodiverse relationships
• Communication tools that have made a difference—soft startups, scripting, and meta-messages
• What both autistic and allistic partners need when they’re at different stages of awareness or acceptance

We also speak directly to therapists and coaches about the importance of understanding neurodiversity as its own specialty and how easily it’s misidentified without the right training.

About Today's Guests

Mike and Amy have been together for 18 years. Mike discovered he is autistic four years ago, which opened up a completely new understanding of their relationship dynamic. Today, he advocates for autistic adults and is currently writing a forthcoming memoir on late-diagnosed autism.

Amy is a licensed therapist in Illinois and a coach for clients in other states. She specializes in supporting autistic adults, partners in neurodiverse relationships, and parents raising neurodivergent children. She also trains other clinicians in recognizing adult autism and working effectively with neurodiverse couples.

Connect with Amy: amatthews@prairiewellness.org Learn more: prairiewellness.org

About Your Host

I’m Jodi Carlton, a neurodiverse relationship coach with more than 20 years of experience as a therapist, coach, educator, and author. As a neurodivergent woman who spent 19 years in a marriage with an autistic partner and raised neurodivergent children, I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to this work. I help individuals, couples, and families around the world find clarity, confidence, and connection in their neurodiverse relationships.

Explore resources, quizzes, and courses: jodicarlton.com Questions? Contact me: gethelp@jodicarlton.com

When autism or ADHD first shows up in a relationship—especially through a late diagnosis—it can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even destabilizing. Many couples begin searching for answers only to find negative, discouraging narratives about neurodiverse partnerships.

In this episode, I talk with Mike and Amy, a couple who discovered as adults that Mike is autistic. Their story is deeply relatable for anyone navigating a new understanding of neurodiversity in themselves or their partner. They share openly about the early misunderstandings, mismatched expectations, and emotional tensions that shaped their marriage—and the strategies they put in place to protect their connection instead of slipping into resentment.

This conversation offers a grounded, human look at what really happens when a diagnosis reframes your entire relationship dynamic.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Mike’s late autism discovery reshaped their understanding of past conflicts

• The early signs and communication patterns they didn’t recognize at the time

• Why so many couples feel “blindsided” before diagnosis

• How masking, missed cues, and emotional differences created tension

• What helped them shift from frustration to clarity

• The early strategies that made life more workable and reduced resentment

• How they built trust and safety while adjusting to a major identity shift

Mike and Amy’s honesty brings so much relief to listeners who feel alone, confused, or stuck in patterns they can’t explain. Their story also sets the foundation for Part 2, where we explore burnout, emotional labor, and more advanced communication tools.

About Mike & Amy

Mike and Amy have been together for 18 years. Mike discovered he is autistic four years ago, which provided language and clarity for years of misunderstandings neither of them knew how to name. Today, Mike advocates for autistic adults through writing and organizational leadership. Amy is a licensed therapist and coach who specializes in supporting autistic adults, their partners, and parents raising neurodivergent children.

📧 Connect with Amy: amatthews@prairiewellness.org 🌐 Learn more: prairiewellness.org

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About Your Host

I’m Jodi Carlton, a neurodiverse relationship coach with more than 20 years of experience as a therapist, coach, educator, and author. I’m also neurodivergent myself, diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. My work is rooted in both clinical expertise and lived experience—19 years in a marriage with an autistic partner and raising neurodivergent children. I help neurodiverse couples and families gain clarity, communication skills, and emotional confidence so their relationships can genuinely thrive.

Explore resources, quizzes, and courses: jodicarlton.com Questions? Contact my team: gethelp@jodicarlton.com