AuDHD And Processing Speed Authentically ADHD With Carmen podcast

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AuDHD and Processing Speed

23h ago 36:37

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Today, we’re diving into the world of AuDHD – a unique neurotype that combines both Autism and ADHD. This blog post will unpack why your brain might feel sluggish, how overstimulation can quickly spiral, and how sensory overload interferes with communication. We’ll also take a closer look at Polyvagal Theory, a scientific concept that explains how your body reacts to stress – and why that reaction feels so intense for those of us with AuDHD. And don’t worry – we’ll finish things off with practical strategies to manage sensory overload, all backed by research and neuroscience.

Processing Speed in AuDHD: Slowed But Not Stopped

Let’s kick things off with processing speed – the ability to take in information, understand it, and respond. For those with AuDHD, this doesn’t always happen at lightning speed.

Autistic processing speed: Many autistic individuals describe their thoughts as moving through molasses, not because they're slow, but because every detail stands out. In fact, research shows that autistic adults consistently perform slower on cognitive tasks, such as symbol search or coding tasks, than their neurotypical peers. This isn’t about intelligence – it’s about how your brain allocates attention. When the brain is processing a million sensory details, it has fewer resources to devote to thinking and responding.

ADHD processing speed: ADHD adds another layer. People with ADHD often experience something called "sluggish cognitive tempo," meaning their minds wander, feel foggy, and take longer to complete tasks. This is especially true when there are multiple steps or a need for quick reactions. ADHD brains struggle to process quickly when distracted by the world around them.

When you combine autism and ADHD – AuDHD – the challenges multiply. An AuDHD brain might analyze one piece of a problem deeply (a strength), but then struggle to move on to the next step. Or you may find yourself mentally fatigued after filtering distractions for just a few minutes. The result? Mental fatigue and frustration. Think of trying to work on a puzzle while the TV is blaring, someone’s talking to you, and the dog is barking. Your brain is juggling too much, so everything takes longer.

The takeaway: Processing speed can feel slow in AuDHD, but it’s not about being “slow” – it’s about the brain working harder to process sensory information and complete tasks.

Sensory Overload: Why Everything Feels Like Too Much

Next, let’s talk about sensory overload. For many people with AuDHD, everyday environments can quickly become overwhelming. The world feels too loud, too bright, and too busy.

Research points to sensory gating – the brain's ability to filter out irrelevant stimuli. In neurotypical brains, unnecessary sensory input (like background noise) is ignored. But in autism, there’s a deficit in sensory gating, meaning the brain fails to filter out irrelevant or background stimuli. Sounds that others don’t notice – the ticking of a clock, the hum of a fluorescent light – feel like they’re blaring in your ears.

On the ADHD side, things are no better. ADHD brains are bombarded by all sensory input because they have trouble filtering distractions. If you imagine your brain as a radio, a neurotypical brain might tune in to one station and block out static. An ADHD brain often has many stations playing at once – all competing for attention.

Put both neurotypes together, and you get sensory overload. A gentle hum becomes unbearable, bright lights become blinding, and even the smallest sensory details can cause distress. The result? Overstimulation. One person with AuDHD might describe it as, “The world is speaking all at once, and I can’t make it stop.” This overload can trigger panic or anxiety – even if there’s no real threat.

Story: The Café Overload

Imagine this: Alex, who has AuDHD, goes to a coffee shop with a friend. There’s music playing, espresso machines whirring, people chatting, and flickering candles. For most people, these sounds might blend into the background. But for Alex, every sound and sight hits like a drum. The coffee grinder is unbearably loud. The flickering lights are dizzying. Even the wallpaper feels like it’s spinning.

Alex starts to feel overwhelmed. Heart racing. Ears ringing. Brain foggy. They’re no longer able to focus on the conversation, and they don’t have the mental energy to process the noise and the people. This is sensory overload in action: everything becomes too much, and Alex’s brain simply shuts down.

The body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS) – our stress response system – kicks in, signaling that something is wrong. Even though Alex is safe, the body’s reaction is the same as if they were in danger. This leads us to Polyvagal Theory.

Communication Challenges During Sensory Overload

So, what happens when we try to communicate under these conditions? If your brain is overwhelmed with sensory input, there’s little energy left for understanding language or speaking. Verbal processing becomes nearly impossible. You might hear your name being called, but you don’t register it because your brain is busy filtering out all the noise around you.

Research on autism shows that even when a person hears their name in a noisy environment, their brain may not respond, especially if they have limited verbal ability. For someone with AuDHD, ADHD makes it even harder to focus on the conversation when distractions are everywhere. So, you might be physically present in a conversation, but your attention is being hijacked by the flickering light or the pattern on the wall. Suddenly, the words don’t make sense, and the world feels fuzzy.

Autism Speaks describes this as a “shutdown” – when your brain stops processing speech and communication because it’s too busy trying to manage sensory overload. For many, this results in dissociation: feeling out of touch, like you’re not part of the conversation.

In short: Communication suffers during sensory overload. It’s not laziness or avoidance – it’s your neurobiology at work. The brain simply doesn’t have the resources to handle multiple sensory inputs at once.

The Nervous System and Polyvagal Theory

Let’s take a closer look at Polyvagal Theory, a concept developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. This theory helps explain why sensory overload leads to shutdown or panic.

The theory identifies three states your body can be in:

Ventral Vagal State (Safe/Social): This is when your body feels calm and connected. When this system is activated, your heart rate and breathing are steady, and communication happens easily.

Sympathetic State (Fight/Flight): When a threat is detected (even something as small as a loud noise), the body shifts into “fight or flight” mode. Your heart rate increases, your body prepares to react.

Dorsal Vagal State (Freeze/Shutdown): If the threat feels overwhelming and there’s no escape, the body enters “freeze mode.” This is where your heart rate and energy levels drop, leading to shutdown. The body feels numb, and you might struggle to speak or move.

For those of us with AuDHD, sensory overload can push us into fight/flight or freeze mode. The body’s stress response system takes over, shutting down other functions like speech and decision-making. You might feel like you’re being “attacked” by noise, lights, and sensations, even though there’s no actual threat. Understanding Polyvagal Theory shows us that this response is natural – and not your fault.

Coping Strategies for Sensory Overload

Now that we understand the science, let’s talk about strategies to manage sensory overload and slow processing speed. These tools can help reset the nervous system and reduce stress:

Modify Your Environment: Dim the lights, wear sunglasses indoors, or use noise-canceling headphones to reduce sensory triggers. In a busy setting, head to a quieter corner or play white noise to mask disruptive sounds.

Use Sensory Tools: Keep items like weighted blankets, stress balls, or fidget toys on hand. These can help provide calming feedback and redirect attention away from overwhelming stimuli.

Take Sensory Breaks: When you start feeling overloaded, take a break. Step outside, do some gentle movement, or engage in deep breathing exercises to reset your body and mind.

Communicate Your Needs: If you’re in a situation where you’re struggling to process information, let people know. Simple phrases like “I need a moment to think” can help others understand when you’re overwhelmed.

Final Thoughts

AuDHD is a complex neurotype that combines the traits of both autism and ADHD. This makes for a brain that processes information slowly, struggles with sensory overload, and sometimes finds communication challenging. But understanding the science behind it – especially concepts like Polyvagal Theory – can help us make sense of these experiences.

The key takeaway is: You are not alone, and it’s okay to need extra time, breaks, or accommodations. By learning to recognize the signs of sensory overload and slow processing speed, we can better manage our environment and our reactions.

Remember: It’s not about “fighting” your brain – it’s about learning to work with it. With patience, understanding, and the right tools, you can navigate the world in a way that feels more manageable and less overwhelming.

Thank you for reading! If this post resonated with you, share it with others who might benefit. You’ve got this. Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other!

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