Meet My Autistic Brain

Are Autistics Bottom-up Thinkers?

Apr 1, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of cognitive processing styles! The podcast explores the differences between bottom-up and top-down thinking, especially within the autistic community. Personal experiences shed light on how these distinct approaches shape perception and behavior. Discover the unique advantages and challenges faced by bottom-up thinkers. It's an enlightening take on how the autistic brain processes information, revealing insights that are both profound and relatable!
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INSIGHT

Top-Down Thinking

  • Neurotypicals often rely on top-down thinking, using past experiences to inform present decisions.
  • This deductive reasoning uses general information to reach specific conclusions, sometimes assuming truths.
INSIGHT

Bottom-Up Thinking

  • Autistics commonly use bottom-up, or inductive, reasoning, focusing on details and patterns to make generalizations.
  • This can lead to conflicts with top-down thinkers, as autistics often challenge assumed truths.
ANECDOTE

Pattern Recognition in Movies

  • The Autistic Woman's brain automatically seeks patterns and details, impacting her movie-watching experience.
  • She notices details like makeup, furniture, and inconsistencies, sometimes wondering what it's like to just watch.
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