Using Mindfulness to Address Different Needs-Sue Hutton and Jan Wozniak

Neurodiverse Love with Mona Kay

To learn more about some of the resources Mona has available you can check out her website at: www.neurodiverselove.com ___________________________________________________________________

During this episode with Sue Hutton and Jan Wozniak you will learn about the work they are doing in their mindfulness program for Autistic adults. In addition, Sue will share a mindfulness exercise that is used in the program they offer. Other topics discussed include the following:

• Mindfulness helps you understand yourself from the inside out.
• Applying ancient teachings to current issues.
• Adapting Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Autistic Adults.
• Mindfulness practices can help if you are feeling overwhelmed in social or sensory situations, or lost in daily life.
• Mindfulness can also help you increase self compassion.
• Current therapies may not address the challenges with overstimulation.

• Co-regulation and reciprocity of energy.
• In neurodiverse relationships there is a diversity of nervous systems, but partners may not understand the differences.
• Rigid, ableist protocol may be very difficult for ND individuals.
• "Mindfulness based stress reduction" curriculum has been modified to be compatible for ND folks and to be congruent with ND nervous systems.
• Curriculum includes compassion and movement practices.
• How to be able to cultivate self awareness when you’re alexithymic.
• Mindfulness can help you connect with the things that might be difficult to access and accept that some things may be a challenge.
• Learn how to show yourself some kindness and self compassion.
• Mindfulness can also help with reducing sensory overload.
• Learning how to calm down your sympathetic response to feel more confidence, safety and control.
• Jan shares some of the complexities of his mixed neurotype relationship.
• How moving in together impacted his relationship.
• Understanding their different social needs and the importance of self regulation.
• Important to have a partner that is open to effective and ongoing communication.
• Honoring your needs is very important in a mixed neurotype relationship, as it can help prevent overload or overwhelm.
• Relationship as practice (Ram Dass).
• Learn about yourself in your relationship through a journey of self discovery, humility, understanding your sensory and social needs, patience, acceptance, and love.
• Reflect before you react.
• Try new practices together.

The facility that Sue and Jan work with is the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)-Toronto, Canada

• You can contact Jan at: [e-mail] or https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/jan-a-wozniak-toronto-on/1252465
• You can contact Sue Hutton at: https://www.suehuttonmindfulness.com For more information on expressing your needs check out this short video from the Gottman Institute: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EfcVKBhIjIo