In this powerful webinar replay from Resilience Coaching Collective, join Belle Stikeleather (BCBA & resilience coach) and special guest Sarah, autistic, deaf, non-binary occupational therapist, educator, author, and disability advocate—for a heartfelt, identity-affirming conversation on neurodivergent relationships, intimacy, and building nourishing connections.

Sarah shares her journey as a queer, non-binary, autistic advocate (including her historic role as the first openly autistic and deaf person elected to government in the U.S.), while exploring:

• What makes relationships truly nourishing: felt safety, consent, reciprocity, regulated communication, and explicit expectations.
• All relationship types are valid, no hierarchy: friendships, family (birth & chosen), professional, community, and self-relationships.
• Healthy vs. unhealthy dynamics: boundaries, control, power imbalances, and why “no” must be safe to say.
• Neurodivergent intimacy: emotional, physical, intellectual, experiential, and self-intimacy, reclaiming what connection means beyond societal norms.
• The life-saving importance of boundary work for autistic adults (addressing high suicide rates, chronic stress, and relational harm).
• Self-trust, identity development, and presuming competence.

Sarah’s message is clear: We are whole as we are perfect as is, and deserve authentic, consent-based joy in every relationship. This session sparks curiosity, challenges ableism, and celebrates abundance in neurodivergent culture.

Perfect for autistic adults, parents, educators, therapists, and allies seeking radical inclusion.

Key Takeaways (from live chat & reflections):

• Consent is dynamic; "yes" means nothing if it isn’t safe.
• Explicit expectations > implicit norms.
• Boundary work protects lives and nervous systems.

Join the conversation. Subscribe for more affirming, constructional discussions on resilience and belonging.

Timestamps included for easy navigation:

• 00:00 – Welcome & Gratitude from Belle
• 00:22 – Sarah’s Introduction & Identities (Autistic, Deaf, Queer, Non-Binary, OT, Advocate)
• 02:12 – Personal Passions & Historic Milestone (First Openly Autistic/Deaf Elected Official in U.S.)
• 04:16 – Agreements: Identity-First Language, Presuming Competence, Radical Inclusion
• 06:47 – Nourishing Relationships: Felt Safe

Thanks for joining Resilience Coaching Collective!

We explore neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based strategies inspired by Israel Goldiamond’s constructional approach (expanded by T.V. Joe Layng and rooted in B.F. Skinner’s science) that build strengths and repertoires rather than simply eliminate problem behaviors.

This episode is part of our ongoing inclusion initiative, Spectrum Speaks, a Behavioral Teaching Solutions project dedicated to amplifying neurodivergent voices and creating safe spaces for growth.

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to our weekly conversations that turn challenges into lasting capabilities.

Earn Affordable CEUs

Many episodes offer 1 Learning CEU (BACB / QABA-eligible) for just $9.99 USD.

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