Like many autistic people, I notice and focus on details.
This is a fantastic ability in the right circumstances, for example when I am editing, proof reading, working on my accounts or doing a piece of work I really care about.
However, it is a less useful ability in other circumstances!
Having recently been working on projects where the details are less important than the overall messages, I’ve come to realise that I need to adapt my approach. Spending so much time on details and analysing them is not particularly helpful.
For the sake of explanation, let’s say that, in life, there are two types of scenario:
Type 1 Scenarios: where the details really matter.
Type 2 Scenarios: where they matter less or not at all.
It’s not always beneficial to try to ‘force’ a detail-orientated approach to Type 2 scenarios!
Being able to distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 Scenarios is a useful skill to acquire in itself.
This is the part that many autistic people find difficult. They have ‘attention to detail’ as a skill, but struggle to know which scenarios require and benefit from this skill, and which do not.
When people are successfully able to differentiate between the types of scenario, they can then work more smartly and efficiently. They can save themselves time and effort when detail is not required. They can use their skills to the fullest when detail is required.
Join The Curly Hair Project Community Today
This article and our podcasts are available only to members of our community. If you would like to continue to read this article, along with receiving access to our exclusive animations, podcasts and special offers – please click the Subscribe today button. If you are already a member, please log in.
Free Autism
Alert Card!
When you subscribe to The Curly Hair Project,
you will receive a free Autism Alert Card worth £6!
