Do you feel anxious about getting intimate because it might lead to frustration, disappointment, or overwhelm? Do you find it difficult to stay focused or maintain arousal due to racing thoughts or external distractions? Many neurodivergent folks struggle with aspects of dating and intimacy that rely on social norms, sensory regulation, and attention management. These challenges can lead to frustrating encounters in the bedroom in moments meant to feel intimate and pleasurable.
Dr. Alison Ash and Sebastian Clarke offer concrete tools and language to navigate these dynamics with more compassion, confidence, and collaboration. Designed for single or partnered autistic and ADHD folks as well as their partners.
In this experiential workshop, we’ll cover:
How to initiate convos about sensory needs and and explore preferences around touch, sound, scent, and space
Strategies for navigating attention, distraction, and arousal regulation during sex
Skills for creating novelty and spontaneity, redirecting unwanted touch, and ending encounters while maintaining connection
Ways neurotypical partners can better support their neurodivergent loved ones and how to co-create alignment around differing needs and desires.
How to create a personalized user manual to help orient yourself and others to your needs and preferences.
You'll leave with communication skills and regulation strategies you can use to feel more grounded, connected, and empowered in dating and intimacy whether partnered or preparing for future connections.
Note: This workshop is part of a three-part series. We also invite you to join Neurodiverse Relating & Executive Function on March 3rd and Neurodiverse Love & Emotional Intimacy on March 10th — recommended (but not required) companions to this workshop.
Reviews
“Creating my user manual was one of the most affirming parts of the workshop. Instead of feeling picky or difficult, I finally saw my needs written down as valid info about how my body and brain work. I feel proud of my preferences rather than embarrassed and I'm excited to share my user manual with future partners. It feels like a roadmap I didn’t know I was allowed to have.” - F.C.
"I appreciated that Dr. Aly and Seb really normalized neurodivergent experiences rather than framing it as a problem to fix. The focus on sensory preferences and arousal regulation helped me understand why I’ve struggled in past relationships and gave me strategies to manage distraction and overstimulation. The exercises were incredibly practical." - D.W.
"We had a good time at this workshop and really appreciated how much it helped us find language to name the challenges we each have around being intimate. My partner was able to share their experience when I start to get distracted and I was able to identify clear strategies I will be able to try out going forward. We will be recommending this workshop to our friends for sure." -B.B.
"I wish I had this information decades ago since it would have saved me so much struggle and confusion. I always thought I was just too needy and sensitive and that the answer was to endure or toughen up. Now I know I can share my sensory sensitivities around sex in easy and clear ways and I’m honestly so excited to try out some of these new skills!" -Z.F.
Additional details
* Tickets are not refundable. They may be transferred to another individual but not to a future event.
*We welcome folks of all genders, sexual orientations, relationship structures, ages, body types, abilities, races, and ethnicities.