The attention span of a lot of Spectrumites (ADHD/ASD) is shorter than you think, maybe a few seconds.
Then you space out and eventually back in. The rate your focus goes in and out could be compared to a flickering light. How fast the flicker depends upon the person.
Either way there are going to be gaps in the flow of info as its coming. This is regardless of your dose of meds or the strength of your coffee.
Yes, both meds and caffeine can improve focus but not eliminate the gaps completely. So you’ll need additional strategies.
The go to for most folks (spectrum or not) is to make assumptions, educated guesses about what was said or meant.
Sometime you guess right, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Simple strategies for filling the gaps include asking, “What did I miss,” “What did (so and so) just say,” or the dreaded, “Can you repeat that?”
Dreaded because of the scolding that usually follows for NOT paying attention.
Let me tell you, trying to keep a flickering brain focused is like trying to hold onto a squirming fish. It’s exhausting.
Work with us on this and we’ll both get what we need.
