AuDHD and Processing Speed

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