Someone Else Can Show You the Elk: Expanding Your Relationship Map

What happens when you are absolutely certain of what you see, but the person standing right next to you perceives something entirely different? In this insightful episode, Dr. Kathy Marshak explores the classic Alfred Korzybski maxim, "The map is not the territory," and takes it a step further to remind us that our interpretation of the territory isn't the territory either.   Drawing from her own personal experiences as a pilot navigating unmapped airspace, driving her compact pickup, and taking walks with her golden retriever, Kokomo, she reveals how human beings so often confuse their personal frame of reference with objective reality.

In NeuroDivergent relationships, miscommunications often stem from perceptual differences rather than malice or dishonesty. While a NeuroTypical partner may rely on non-verbal "chit-chat" signals to communicate care, an autistic or NeuroDiverse partner might express empathy through transactional problem-solving or pattern recognition. 

By learning to "cross-check your instruments" (combining words, non-verbal cues, history, and behavior) couples can stop demanding that their partner share the exact same map, and instead stay open to what the other person is perceiving.

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If you are looking for more resources for NeuroDivergent relationships, start with Unlocking NeuroDivergent Relationships, a Comprehensive Resource Preview.

The Discussion Continues: Join the confidential Podcast After Party for this episode! Check the schedule at Thinkific and the Meetup group.

Future of Healing: Dr. Kathy is developing two innovative video games: Radiant Empathy: A Journey of Heartbreak and Healing and The University of NeuroDiversity: Radiant Empathy Campus. 

➡️ Find more resources at https://asd-ntrelationships.com/