Building Strong Relationships: Tips for Adults with ADHD and Autism

 

Navigating Interpersonal Connections with Neurodiversity

Adults with ADHD and Autism sometimes struggle to build relationship due to communication difficulties. Communication styles will vary and social anxiety might lead to exclusion from groups. Understanding the best way to listen, communicate and build empathy will help to create direct communication which will build trust. Routines and boundaries will help to embrace differences in neurodiversity. Patient and mutual respect will help to create a meaningful connection and minimise misunderstandings due to communication styles.

 

Introduction

One of the biggest challenges for adults with ADHD and Autism is building strong relationships. This might be because struggle to pay attention during conversations or they may miss social cues.

Impulsivity or struggling to regulate their emotions might make them difficult people to be around, so they may be limited to a small group of friends and people that they feel comfortable to socialise with.

Human beings are social creatures by nature and want to connect with others by building strong relationships – and adults with ADHD and Autism are no different.

In this blog, we talk about the importance of building strong relationships for adults with ADHD and Autism and some practical tips to build meaningful connections with others.

 

Understanding the challenge with neurodiversity and relationships

Navigating interpersonal connections is a huge challenge for adults with ADHD and Autism. This might look like:

  • Communication difficulties because they see the world differently and struggle to relate to people.
  • Social anxiety, where adults with ADHD and Autism fear attending social events as they may have been bullied or felt uncomfortable in the past.
  • Feeling that they don’t belong, because they don’t have a ‘tribe’ of likeminded people who fully understand them.

 

ADHD and Autism in Relationships

 

Social skills for adults with ADHD and Autism

There are lots of ways that adults with ADHD and Autism communicate differently to neurotypical people:

  • They minimise eye contact, which can feel like a lack of interest or not listening.
  • They prefer direct and concise communication. Implied meanings and hints are difficult for them.
  • They are very direct in their communication with a lack of filter because they prefer fact-focused communication and often assume others do too.
  • They may talk a lot about their passion or area of interest and struggle with small talk.
  • They prefer slower-paced conversations so that they can process what is being said.
  • They might be unable to follow group conversations.

 

Understanding Communication Between ADHD and Autism

Research and discussion about adults with ADHD and Autism have improved massively over the years, however, it’s important to build communication strategies for neurodiverse individuals so that communication doesn’t break down due to a lack of understanding.

Having enough self-confidence to embrace your unique communication style is easier said than done. The first step to navigating interpersonal connections is to understand the preferred way of communication and feeling comfortable to ask for the clarity that is needed.

The best tips for neurodiverse individuals is to have space to explain how they need to receive communication. Building empathy in neurodiverse relationships is key and accepting the adult with ADHD and Autism as the unique individual that they are!

 

Communication strategies for neurodiverse individuals

Our understanding of the challenges for adults with ADHD and Autism has changed. Recent research has shown that when autistic people communicate together, there are few communication breakdowns and no perceived ‘deficits’ in social interaction. Adults with ADHD and Autism are good at navigating interpersonal connections together, whereas miscommunications are common between neurodiverse and neurotypical people because they don’t understand each other’s communication style.

 

ADHD and Autism Relationship Tips

Beyond Autism has some great tips for neurodiverse individuals which will help with building strong relationships. Could you try:

  • Clear and direct communication techniques?
  • Active listening skills and empathy-building exercises?
  • Giving non-verbal communication cues such as nodding?
  • Building empathy in neurodiverse relationships so that you can understand their intentions and the emotions behind their behaviour?
  • Respecting the different approach a neurodiverse person has compared to a neurotypical person?
  • Practicing patience and understanding in relationships?

 

Understanding ADHD and Autism in Relationships

If spend a lot of time with an adult with ADHD and Autism, knowing whtat they need will help you with building strong relationships that are both fulfilling and trusting. Here are three ADHD and Autism relationship tips:

  • What routines, structures and boundaries can help with building strong relationships?
  • Which aspects of communication cause them sensory overload and how can you adapt the environment or your communication style to make them feel more comfortable?
  • Are there any ways to help reduce communication misunderstandings? How can you have a conversation to solve a common social problem.

 

Final Thoughts

Building strong relationships is crucial for all humans, but perhaps even more so for adults with ADHD and Autism. Given their potential for sensory processing issues and difficulty in reading social cues, people with neurodiversity are often at risk of social anxiety, which leads them to retreat further.

Empathy in neurodiverse relationships is very important if you are building strong relationships with adults with ADHD and Autism. Some simple adaptations to your communication style can help with navigating interpersonal connections.

Embracing and celebrating everyone’s unique qualities is the best way to develop social skills for adults with ADHD and Autism.

 

The first step is always a diagnosis for adults with ADHD and Autism

A professional diagnosis will help you to thrive in all social situations. Schedule an initial appointment with The ADHD & Autism Clinic. Our team of experts provide personalised support and guidance whether you’re seeking therapy, diagnostic assessments, or educational resources. Take the first step towards diagnosis by contacting us today.

 

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