Living & Loving 2e: Managing Relationships in a Neurodivergent Family

Human relationships are essential to our health and well-being. They often bring joy, meaning, and purpose to our lives. But even the best of relationships has ups and downs. Add neurodivergence into the mix, and the highs, lows, and in-betweens can be even more complex. As parents and caregivers, we work to navigate our relationships with our children, our spouses / co-parents, other family members, and even ourselves. As Valentine’s Day approaches, join us in conversation with Sarah Norris, founder of The Sensory Coach, to explore how neurodivergence impacts our family relationships as well as tips for navigating the complicated emotions and needs that come along the journey.

Guest Bio: 

Sarah Norris is the founder of The Sensory Coach (and one of REEL Co-Founder Callie Turk’s go-to advisors for supporting her 2e kiddo). Sarah is a licensed and certified occupational therapist (OT), who has worked in a wide variety of settings (hospital, clinic, early intervention, school, summer camp, home-based and community-based). She has completed advanced training in sensory processing and integration through the STAR Institute for SPD and Temple University, extensive training in DIR/Floortime therapy through ICDL and Profectum, and is a certified MindBody Therapy practitioner. Sarah is driven by a fascination with the interplay of neurology, psychology, and sensory integration theory and their collective impact on daily functioning. Through her continual learning, Sarah gradually uncovered her own neurological and sensory differences. Her ever-evolving knowledge informs her understanding of how she (and others) function in the world, both in times of ease as well as in times of struggle. Sarah is married and has two children, and has intimate knowledge on how neurodivergence impacts relationships and development. She also understands the complex needs of twice exceptional (2e) learners as a parent, individual, partner, and therapist. Sarah founded The Sensory Coach out of her passion for helping people discover their sensory differences and gain understanding of how their and their loved ones’ brains are wired. As one of her clients once said about her own family, “None of us are broken. We’re just different.”