The Pros And Cons Of Monotropism

This video about the strengths, challenges and strategies of monotropism attracted many interesting comments.

I appreciated one person's comments acting as a summary of their notes from watching the video:

"Strengths:
1. Ability to provide 100% of attention, therefore become an expert in your field.
2. superhuman ability to ignore all else/ don't see distractions.

Challenges:
1. Missing a lot of info
2. Lack of tasks where monotropism is best strategy.
3. Energy required to switch tasks
4. Maintaining weak tie relationship is difficult.

Strategies:
1. Lifestyle design- design life around strengths. Pick high reward tasks.
2. Start noticing how much transition time you need.
3. Leverage flow state.
4. Give yourself time to wind down "

Within strategies, number 2; about how much transition time you need between tasks is something I have been practicing recently - and have found to be helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p8BD73xXxI

I don't think we talk about and explore our strengths / positives as often as would be educational and supportive.

If we can learn to assess our personal Autistic strengths - maybe that can help us to better profile ourselves - closer to employment and volunteering opportunity matches - while mitigating the likelihood of burnout.

Parents
  • I just spent most of the last 12 days talking to an AI.

    If you printed it out I estimate it's maybe 1,500 pages of A4 text. It has been interesting.

    One day was at least 16 hrs.

    That's monotropism at work. Time just disappears. I managed to remember to eat, mostly.

    Anyhow, the novelty is over now. I have a lot of ideas to review. And it didn't make me crazy, although I know how and why it is dangerous now.

Reply
  • I just spent most of the last 12 days talking to an AI.

    If you printed it out I estimate it's maybe 1,500 pages of A4 text. It has been interesting.

    One day was at least 16 hrs.

    That's monotropism at work. Time just disappears. I managed to remember to eat, mostly.

    Anyhow, the novelty is over now. I have a lot of ideas to review. And it didn't make me crazy, although I know how and why it is dangerous now.

Children