Processing information
Trevor Powell · 2021
The way autistic brains process information differently, in the three areas of cognition, language and sensory processing, is examined. Autistic processing often results in uneven profiles, characterised by extreme peaks and troughs, often exposing extreme strengths and vulnerabilities. Within the area of cognition, issues addressed include the following: attention – a single channel; executive functioning – flexibility and seeing the big picture; memory – an eye for detail and understanding savant skills and mathematics. Within language, we examine communication: implied meaning (pragmatics); reciprocal two-way conversation; pedantry (too formal). A section on sensory sensitivities includes primary senses such as hearing, sight, touch, taste and smell; bodily states such as temperature, pain and hunger, motor coordination and bodily awareness. Sensory overload is understood as difficulty filtering out information, potentially resulting in meltdowns. Ways of coping are examined. Finally, synaesthesia and creative thoughts are addressed.