Autism in the Adult

Dr. Theresa Regan explores how families can plan vacations that match each person’s nervous system and energy, focusing on managing transitions, sensory demands, and recovery. She shares practical examples—like choosing trains over airports, assigning roles, and packing regulation tools—and emphasizes choosing manageable challenges that build confidence. The episode offers concrete questions to gu...

Dr. Theresa Regan explores how vacations can serve restoration rather than appearances for neurodiverse households. She urges families to prioritize what fits each person this year—considering sensory needs, energy, and life changes—rather than following traditions or social expectations. Practical ideas include flexible plans, staycations, and making space for different ways of recharging so ever...

Dr. Theresa Regan explores how conversations move beyond exchanging information to creating connection. Using childhood play as a model, she outlines three core building blocks—making space for the other person, offering something personal, and allowing mutual influence—that help conversations feel satisfying and shared. She explains how these principles apply in adult interactions, links them to...

In this episode, Dr. Theresa Regan explores how conversation often serves social and relational purposes beyond sharing facts. She explains the difference between semantic (factual) and episodic (experiential) memory, why personal stories invite connection, and how storytelling can look different across neurotypes. Listeners will learn how to recognize conversational invitations, practice sharing...

Neuropsychologist Dr. Theresa Regan explains how everyday questions can be invitations into different conversational roles and why that ambiguity can be confusing. She offers simple strategies: ask to clarify the invitation, give a brief factual or blended response, or decline the invitation. Learning to identify the "why" of conversation helps people make clearer choices and maintain connection i...

Dr. Theresa Regan explains how friendships evolve with brain development and why autistic individuals may struggle when social demands change—especially in middle school and high school—exploring theory of mind, social vs. non-social emotions, and shifting friendship expectations. The episode offers practical guidance on recognizing different friendship styles, reducing blame, and using curiosity...

Dr. Theresa Regan explores how play—humor, teasing, shared activities, and quiet companionship—shapes friendships, family life, dating, work, and parenting across adulthood. The episode explains adult play styles, how autistic and non-autistic people may experience play differently, why teasing can hurt or connect, and offers practical questions to improve understanding and closeness. Understandin...

In this episode Dr. Theresa Regan explores why connection sometimes feels confusing by distinguishing task-oriented moments (doing and finishing) from social-oriented moments (sharing and bonding). Through relatable examples—a painting day gone sideways and a family seeking emotional presence—she shows how different expectations create everyday misunderstandings. The episode offers a simple takeaw...

Neuropsychologist Dr. Theresa Regan explains theory of mind—our ability to recognize that others have different thoughts, feelings, and perspectives—how it develops, and how it varies across neurotypes, including autism. Using examples from childhood, adolescence, and adult life, she shows how perspective-taking influences communication and relationships, and encourages curiosity to bridge misunde...

Dr. Theresa Regan returns from sabbatical to introduce her new book, "Understanding Communication and Relationships and Autism," and shares how her clinical and personal experiences shaped it. She explains that many relational conflicts come from different nervous systems interpreting the same moment differently, offers real-life examples, and invites listeners to shift from blame to curiosity, re...

Join Dr. Regan in an episode about the power of small talk as a social welcome mat and a way of testing the waters before creating longer social connections.  Neurodiverse Love Conference 2025 Use checkout code Theresa50 for $50 off _______ Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses      

Join Dr. Regan for this episode of the Lifespan of a Household Series. The episode focuses on the experience of the autistic adult during the seasons of retirement and the empty nest.  Calendar example:      Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses  

Join Dr. Regan for this episode of the Lifespan of a Household Series. The episode focuses on the experience of the autistic parent in a household with teens and young adults. Dr. Regan discusses the child's quest for identity and separation and the parent's changing role. She reviews coping strategies for the parent during this time of transition and uncertainty. Autism in the Adult website Resou...

Join Dr. Regan for the sixth episode of the Lifespan of a Household Series. The episode focuses on the experience of the autistic parent in a household with preteen children. Dr. Regan discusses the parent's shifting role across the child's developmental seasons, develops images to help parents relate to the shift, and provides practical input about succeeding in these changes in the parenting rol...

Join Dr. Regan for the fifth episode of the Lifespan of a Household series. Today's episode focuses on topics important to autistic individuals who are parenting young children.   Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses    

Join Dr. Regan for the 4th episode in the Lifespan of a Household series. Today's episode focuses on topics important to the autistic individual who is preparing for parenting.    Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses  

Join Dr. Regan for this third episode in the "Lifespan of a Household" series. This episode highlights topics important to living in shared space, including the sensory environment, alone time, and control over objects. Also, check out links to resources on her website and a transcript of the episode below.  Autism in the Adult website Resources for professionals Video Visits Video Courses   Hi, e...

Dr. Regan continues the series about the lifespan of a relationship and/or household. The first episode focused on dating relationships, and this second episode focuses on sexual intimacy in relationships with an autistic partner.    Dr. Regan's Resources: Empowered Parenting Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding...

Dr. Regan begins a new series about the lifespan of a relationship and/or household. This first episode focuses on dating relationships. The episode provides practical insights and strategies to help you make informed and intentional choices in your relationships, ensuring they are fulfilling and sustainable for both partners. Dr. Regan's Resources: Empowered Parenting Zur Institute courses for cl...

Join Dr. Regan for the final episode of the Powerful Self-Care Series. Rather than becoming the victim of an intense world, constantly in survival mode, learn strategies for self-care. This episode focuses on how to increase resilience in active and effective ways. Empowered Parenting   Dr. Regan's Resources: Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd...

Join Dr. Regan for this second episode of the Powerful Self-Care Series. Rather than becoming the victim of an intense world, constantly in survival mode, learn strategies to become effective with self-care. This episode focuses on how to reduce draining inputs in order to budget your resilience.  Explore Dr. Regan's new Learning and Equipping page and the specific course page for " Empowered Pare...

Join Dr. Regan for this first episode of a new self-care series. Rather than becoming the victim of an intense world, constantly in survival mode, learn strategies to become powerful at self-care. The first step is self-awareness which can begin by noticing your fight, flight, freeze, and physical reactions to events and experiences.  Explore Dr. Regan's new Learning and Equipping page and the spe...

Join Dr. Regan for the third and final episode of the Communication Series. This episode highlights ways to communicate while talking about challenging topics.    Explore Dr. Regan's new Learning and Equipping page and the specific course page for " Empowered Parenting ."    Dr. Regan's Resources: Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audioboo...

Join Dr. Regan for the second episode in the Communication Series. This episode highlights ways to use communication to protect and grow relationships.    Dr. Regan's Resources: Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website  homepage Website Resources for Clinicians    

Join Dr. Regan for the first episode of the new Communication Series. This first episode highlights moments of connection, such as talking in the car, going out on date night, and catching up with a friend. Tune in to hear what to avoid and what to focus on to enhance connection.    Dr. Regan's Resources: Zur Institute courses for clinicians Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed...