The Samar Journal:
Neurodivergence & Mental Health

Why neurodiverse couples can love each other deeply --and still keep missing the signal Wajdi Akef Fakhoury, LMFT One partner says: “Why do I have to keep asking?” The other says: “How was I supposed to know?” One hears silence and thinks: I do not matter enough for you to respond. The other hears urgency and thinks: I am already failing, and now I have to answer before I can think. By the time many neurodiverse couples arrive in therapy, the fight is no longer about

Wajdi Akef Fakhoury, LMFT 148333 Why conventional psychotherapy can leave neurodivergent adults feeling more confused, more ashamed, and no closer to change You sit across from a therapist and hear the question again: “How does that make you feel?” You know this is supposed to be simple. You also know that something happened inside you. Your chest tightened. Your thoughts accelerated—or disappeared. Your body became restless, heavy, distant, hot, numb, or impossible to locate

Wajdi Akef Fakhoury, LMFT 148333 Understanding distress in neurodivergent people with complex support needs A person who usually looks forward to their day program begins refusing to leave home. Someone who has slept through the night for years starts waking at 3:00 a.m. A person who communicates readily becomes quieter, more repetitive, or more agitated. They stop participating in familiar activities. They seek constant reassurance. They push people away. They begin hitting

Executive functioning, stress, trauma, and fluctuating access to skills in neurodivergent people Wajdi Akef Fakhoury, LMFT 148333 Yesterday, they completed the routine without help. Today, they cannot begin. Yesterday, they tolerated the change. Today, the same change leads to panic, refusal, shutdown, or escalation. Yesterday, they remembered the appointment, answered the email, made dinner, or arrived on time. Today, the knowledge is still there—but access to it seems to ha

Wajdi Akef Fakhoury, LMFT 148333 Trauma-informed care is vital for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), but its success often hinges on collaborative efforts across multiple systems. These individuals frequently rely on a network of support encompassing caregivers, educators, healthcare providers, and community organizations. To effectively address their unique needs and vulnerabilities, systems must work together seamlessly, promoting consisten

Wajdi Akef Fakhoury, LMFT 148333 Crises can happen at any time—especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have experienced trauma. When faced with overwhelming emotions or environmental triggers, they may struggle to regulate their behavior, leading to moments of distress that can escalate quickly. For caregivers and professionals, responding to these moments requires more than just de-escalation techniques. It calls for a trauma-inf

What neurodivergent people need before distress becomes impossible to ignore Wajdi Akef Fakhoury, LMFT 148333 By the time a person is yelling, hitting, running, self-injuring, shutting down, or no longer able to participate, everyone agrees that something is wrong. The crisis is visible. What is less visible is everything that happened before it. The poor sleep. The unexpected staffing change. The unexplained transition. The demand repeated after the person had stopped proces