How Our Shortcuts Can Be Both Brilliant and Baffling, Especially for Neurodivergent Minds!
Embracing the Maze: Navigating the Intricacies of Mental Shortcuts in the Neurodivergent Mind
We all know the feeling: you walk into a room, someone smiles, and suddenly you're convinced they love your new haircut (or, conversely, that they're secretly judging your mismatched socks). These instant judgments, fueled by biases and assumptions, are our brains taking shortcuts. They're not always bad – in fact, they can be incredibly efficient. Imagine having to consciously analyse every single detail in every single situation – it would be exhausting!
The Power of Shortcuts:
Think about the last time you crossed a busy street. You probably didn't consciously analyse every car's speed and trajectory, the traffic light timer and the cat running across the road. Instead, years of experience, ingrained rules and centuries of evolution helped you make a quick, safe decision. This is the beauty of biases and assumptions – they allow us to navigate complex situations quickly and efficiently.
When Shortcuts Go Rogue:
However, these shortcuts can sometimes lead us astray. Remember the haircut example? Our brains love patterns and connections, and sometimes they connect the dots... badly. That smile could just be a friendly greeting, not a testament to your fashion choices. We fall prey to the "mind-reading" bias, assuming we know what others are thinking without any real evidence.
This can be especially challenging for neurodivergent individuals. Social cues and subtle signals, readily interpreted by neurotypical brains, can be missed or misinterpreted. This can lead to social anxiety, feelings of isolation, and even misinterpretations of professional interactions.
Beyond mind-reading, there's the "confirmation bias" – the tendency to favour information that confirms our existing beliefs and downplay anything that contradicts them. This can be particularly detrimental in professional settings. Imagine a neurodivergent professional presenting an innovative idea, only to be met with scepticism from colleagues. The confirmation bias might lead them to misinterpret the scepticism as confirmation of their worst fears – that their ideas are inherently rubbish.
Tools for Awareness and Moving Forward:
So, how do we, as neurodivergent individuals, become more aware of these mental shortcuts and avoid their pitfalls? Here are some tools:
Identify your triggers: What situations or types of interactions tend to activate these biases for you? Is it public speaking, giving presentations, or receiving feedback? Recognizing triggers allows you to be more mindful in those situations.
Challenge your assumptions: When you find yourself making an assumption about someone's thoughts or intentions, pause and ask yourself: "Is there any evidence to support this assumption? Are there alternative explanations?"
Seek clarification: Don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions, both in personal and professional settings. This can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure you're interpreting situations accurately.
Focus on facts, not feelings: When receiving feedback, try to separate the emotional tone from the factual content. Is there any constructive criticism you can learn from, regardless of how it was delivered? (this is not easy!)
Practice self-compassion: We all make mistakes in thinking. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that these biases are simply a natural part of human cognition, not personal flaws.
Seek support: If you're struggling with these challenges, consider talking to a therapist who specialises in working with neurodivergent individuals. They can provide additional tools and support for navigating these situations.
Remember, you are not alone in this!
Every brain uses shortcuts, and understanding how these shortcuts work, especially in the context of neurodiversity, is a valuable step towards navigating the world with confidence and clarity. By consciously challenging our assumptions and seeking clarification when needed, we can ensure that these shortcuts serve us, not the other way around.