Presenter: Candice Christiansen, LCMHC, CSAT-S, CMAT, EMDR I/II, IFS, IFIO, PAT
Candice Christiansen is a clinical visionary, a leading voice at the intersection of neurodifference, complex trauma, and relational integrity, and the bestselling author of Love, Sex, and Autism: The Radical Truth About Intimacy and Neurodifference. As the founder of the Namasté Center For Healing, Candice operates at the nexus of neurological diversity and high-complexity recovery. A sought-after expert, she is a regular guest presenter for prestigious institutions such as the Cultural Autism Studies at Yale. Her life’s work is dedicated to guiding highly traumatized, neurodifferent adults and couples through the volatile landscapes of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), domestic abuse, and chronic substance or behavioral addictions.
Presentation: Love, Sex, and Autism – A Radical Shift in How We View Autism, Relationships, and Intimacy
While early childhood interventions receive immense resources, autistic individuals eventually reach the “support cliff”—where crucial pathways fade during adolescence and adulthood. Historically, systemic narratives have sanitized autistic adulthood, viewing autistic individuals through rigid myths as non-sexual, forever child-like, or lacking agency.
During this presentation, neuro-affirmative clinician and best selling author Candice Christiansen challenges these outdated modes of thinking. Drawing on clinical expertise, research, and lived experience, Candice shifts the lens toward authentic adult advocacy and allyship. Attendees will explore how autism dynamically influences adult identity, including the intersectional realities of gender, sexuality, and sexual intimacy. From navigating non-normative relationship dynamics to dismantling myths surrounding hypersexuality, this session provides practical insights to foster genuine understanding and acceptance.