Activity Switching for Monotropic Minds

Transitioning without trauma

Last week I was asked how monotropic people can more easily adapt to transitions. The question was great timing, because it came a couple of days after the publication of Tanya Adkin’s concept of Lilipadding.

Let’s start by taking a step back. Monotropic people, which includes Autistics and ADHDers, focus more of their attention on fewer things at a time compared people who are polytropic and can more easily switch their focus.

If you’re new to the idea of monotropism, then this four-minute video written and narrated by Kieran Rose and animated by Josh Knowles Animation is a great introduction:

There’s a frequent misconception that ADHDers are polytropic because of the false stereotype of an inability to pay attention. This misunderstands ADHD, as ADHDers can get into deep attention tunnels with things that interest them. Focus is harder with things that don’t. Research indicates that people who are both Autistic and ADHD tend to be the most monotropic of all.

Being monotropic has massive implications for daily life. If you’re in an environment where you’re constantly expected to switch from thing to thing (like in mainstream schooling or some work environments) then you’re going to find this much easier if you’re polytropic.

Monotropic people tend to do better in situations where they can focus on one thing for a longer period of time. Focus can be so strong in that flow state that awareness of time is lost, and reminders to eat, drink or sleep may be necessary. Being interrupted can be extremely stressful.

You can take a questionnaire to find out how monotropic you are. Monotropism levels can vary hugely, so it’s useful information because you can then aim to tailor your life in accordance with it.

Allowing yourself time to focus on your interests without interruption may be important for your wellbeing. When you’re in monotropic flow you may need reminders to eat or drink. These and many more implications are discussed at Monotropism.org, run by Fergus Murray.

Fergus’s mum, Dinah Murray, is one of the autistic researchers who - alongside Wenn Lawson - came up with the idea of monotropism as a neurodiversity-affirming theory of autism.

The neuronormative world we live in typically expects people to be polytropic. Think of school where children are constantly expected to switch their attention from one activity and subject to the next.

Monotropic people trying to meet these expectations experience attentional trauma. The brain attempts to replicate the large amount of attention usually given to one thing, across many.

Studies have shown that Autistic brains create an average of 42% more information than allistic (non-Autistic) brains at rest. Trying to operate in a polytropic way while using so much more energy eventually leads to burnout.

When monotropic people are forced to operate in polytropic ways it can be conceptualised as monotropic split, as conceptualised by Tanya Adkin. Unsurprisingly, this enormous cognitive load frequently leads to meltdown or shutdown.

Tanya has now expanded on this with the relational practice of Lilipadding which is designed to reduce transitional trauma. She explains why things like timers which countdown to transitions don’t work, and can instead be experienced as a “countdown to rupture.”

“They mark the moment where the world will demand movement, whether we’re ready or not. It’s like hearing a trapdoor creak open beneath you. If we consider the moment of transition as a liminal point, then it is that liminal point that causes the anxiety (Gray-Hammond, 2022). Feeling the time countdown to it does not make the transition any less terrifying.

“Timers measure time. But they don’t ease transitions. We need something more relational. More human. This isn’t compatible with monotropic neurology. It’s neuronormativity.”

In contrast, Lilipadding offers a bridge instead of sudden collapse, allowing continuity to be maintained.

“Lilipads sound like: “Lunch in 30 minutes. Do you want to chat about what you fancy eating?”

“They look like: Sitting beside someone while they finish something. Bringing food to the space they’re already in. Asking rather than telling.”

Lilipadding gives us a blueprint to support others and advocate for ourselves. It gives permission to resist neuronormative pressure and replace it with validation. It honours the nature of our attention and ways of being.

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My initial thoughts on putting Lilipadding into practice

Key points:

• Lilipads are there to support, not force.

• Lilipads are consent-based and relational, not about compliance.

• Lilipads support continuity and gentle transition, not rupture.

• Monotropic flow states are necessary for, and inherent to, monotropic people.

Consider:

What does the person being supported want to be able to do? Eg eat, drink, go to bed, go out.

Is this something that can be brought to them in order to minimise disruption to their flow? Gently offer it to them, body doubling if that is wanted. Choices may feel supportive, or like demands, and can be considered on an individual basis.

Does the transition mean pausing or completely ceasing the current activity? Bringing a drink and gently supporting the person to hydrate is likely to be more straightforward than moving from monotropic flow and transitioning to attending a medical appointment.

What are the person’s individual needs and preferences to ease transitions? While not in a flow state, it might be helpful to discuss these in advance, while recognising that the reality can be different each time.

Using the example of going to an appointment;
- How long would they like the transition to be to make it as easy as possible and avoid a rush or panic?
- Do they want prior reminders that the transition will be starting soon or are they unhelpful?
- Would reminders of what the appointment is for be helpful or anxiety-provoking?
- Would something like music help to ease the transition, or would it be disruptive?
- Would they like their things gathered for them while this is narrated to them or would they like to do it themselves?
- Would they like to be helped into their shoes and coat?
- Could any part of their current activity be taken with them? If not, is there a preferred activity or item that could be?

Is Lilipadding something you would use? Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the comments.

Update: David Gray-Hammond has shared his ideas here.

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