Understanding Monotropism and Autism: A Unique Perspective

ADD & ADHD | Written by

ADHD hyperfocus, Aspergers, Attention and focus, Autism, Executive dysfunction, Monotropism

Monotropism is a term that has gained attention in recent years, particularly in the autism community. But what exactly is monotropism, and why is it important to understand? In this article, we’ll explore the definition of monotropism, its connection to autism, and how it can provide a unique perspective on the world.

What is Monotropism?

a man intensely focusing on something

Monotropism is a term coined by researcher Dr. Dinah Murray, a parent of an autistic child. Monotropism is a cognitive style characterized by a strong focus on one (or a few) things at a time. It’s like shining a bright spotlight on a particular interest. This intense focus makes it a bit tricky to switch one’s attention to something else.

Monotropism vs. Multitasking

Monotropism is the opposite of multitasking, which is the ability to switch between multiple tasks or topics quickly. While multitasking is often seen as a desirable skill, particularly in the workplace, monotropism is often viewed as a limitation or deficit.

However, Dr. Murray argues that monotropism is not a deficit, but rather a unique cognitive style that can provide valuable insights and perspectives.

Autism and Monotropism

an autistic child with monotropic tendencies show paint on his hands

Monotropism is a popular topic in the autistic community because it’s often seen as a defining characteristic of autism. Many autistic adults and children have a strong focus on one or a few interests, often referred to as “special interests” or “obsessions.”

This intense focus can manifest in various ways, such as spending hours researching a specific topic, collecting and organizing items related to a particular interest, or engaging in repetitive behaviors related to the interest.

How is Autistic Monotropism Different From ADHD Hyperfocus?

Monotropism can look like a phenomenon known as hyperfocus, which is a common experience in people with ADHD. Hyperfocus is when someone becomes so fixated on an activity that they lose awareness of their surroundings, often driven by a hunger for dopamine.

Monotropism in autism is often linked to sensory processing differences and a preference for structured information processing. Their intense focus can usually be explained by a desire for predictability and familiarity. (However, ADHD commonly co-occurs with autism, so it’s possible for someone to experience both!)

Autistic Inertia and Executive Functioning

Executive dysfunction is a difficulty impacting the brain’s executive functions—high-order mental processes responsible for planning, organizing, and starting and finishing tasks. It most often affects neurodivergent individuals, such as ADHD, autism, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. But there’s another term that better describes the autistic experience: autistic inertia.

In people with autism, autistic inertia is more than just having trouble with executive dysfunction. It’s about having a hard time changing how your mind works—starting, stopping, or switching focus can feel impossible.

Unfortunately, many experts see monotropism as a deficit because of the way it affects executive functioning. Monotropic minds struggle to shift attention, so it’s hard for them to focus on tasks that aren’t related to their current interest. Dr. Murray believes that monotropism is not a deficit, and the professionals at the Sachs Center agree. It’s more likely that autistic folks display executive dysfunction behaviors because they’re unmotivated by – or uninterested in – the task. It’s not a lack of ability. They just don’t have the inertia for it.

The Unique Perspective of Monotropism in Autistics

Monotropism can provide a unique perspective on the world, as it allows people to deeply immerse themselves in a particular topic or activity. This intense focus can lead to a deep understanding and knowledge of the subject, as well as unique insights and connections.

– Creativity –

Many autists with monotropism have strong creative skills, often using their intense focus to create unique and innovative artwork, music, or writing. This creativity can be seen as a direct result of their monotropic cognitive style. It allows them to think divergently, see the world in a different way, and make connections others may not see.

– Problem-Solving –

Monotropism can also be beneficial in problem-solving. Autistic kids and adults with monotropism may approach problems in a unique way, using their intense focus and expertise of a particular topic to find solutions that others may not have considered.

Taking a Monotropism Questionnaire

A psychologist in nyc specializing in autism hands a pen and monotropism questionnaire to autistic patient

The monotropism questionnaire is a tool designed to assess and understand an individual’s cognitive processing style, particularly focusing on the concept of monotropism. The questionnaire typically consists of questions that gauge the extent to which a person exhibits monotropic tendencies. Interpreting the results involves analyzing their responses to figure out the degree of cognitive focus or specialization.

Higher scores may suggest a stronger inclination towards monotropism, indicating a more intense and singular focus on specific subjects.

On the other hand, lower scores might suggest a more distributed and flexible attention span.

It’s important to consider individual differences and the context in which the questionnaire is administered, as various factors can influence cognitive processing styles. Interpretation should be approached with a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted nature of attention and cognitive functioning.

Take a free monotropism questionnaire at the bottom of this page!

Conclusion: Embracing Monotropism in Autistics

Monotropism is a unique cognitive style characterized by an intense focus on specific interests or activities. It offers a distinctive perspective on the world. While it may pose challenges, particularly in the context of autism, embracing monotropism is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and accepting society for autistics.

Educating others about monotropism is a key step in this embrace. Knowing how monotropism relates to autism helps us understand and appreciate the unique way autistics engage with the world. Additionally, providing accommodations and support tailored to the challenges posed by monotropism helps create environments that facilitate success for those with this cognitive style. This may involve offering flexible schedules or alternative methods for completing tasks.

Ultimately, we should celebrate the differences inherent in monotropism. Recognizing and valuing the unique perspectives and insights that monotropism brings enriches our society, promoting diversity and understanding. Embracing monotropism moves us towards a more compassionate and accommodating world, where differences are not only acknowledged but celebrated.

You can find out more about the development of the Monotropism Questionnaire here.

Source: Garau, V., Woods, R., Chown, N., Hallett, S., Murray, F., Wood, R., … Fletcher-Watson, S. (2023, July 25). The Monotropism Questionnaire. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/WPX5G

Monotropism Questionnaire

How to Take the Test:

When reading the questions, imagine situations that are stressful, uncomfortable or when you are excited. Often when we are at home and relaxed and calm, it is hard to tell how we feel. If the question is confusing, look underneath it for an explanation of the question.

  • Instructions:

    Please read the statements below and indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with them.
  • After chaotic situations or too much socializing, you need to decompress and be alone.
  • Transitions are hard for adults with Autism. Moving from one task to another is hard unless you are in a quiet space.
  • If you're interrupted suddenly by someone or something, you get upset and lose focus easily.
  • You do not have a problem with eye contact.
  • You see changes in people's appearance or in your work/living space easily and quickly.
  • You're most calm when engaged in an activity that you really love. When stressed you like to do a favorite activity. Many people do this but Autistic people go back to the same activity over and over to reduce anxiety.
  • You prefer to talk about topics you're interested in and feel more comfortable when doing this.
  • You get obsessed with things and hyperfocus on them and lose touch with anything else going on around you.
  • You did well in school even in subjects that were boring.
  • You engage in activities you like, even if others find it weird.
  • The question is asking if you like social situations that are not just your friends.
  • You don't mind being interrupted when focused on an activity. You can be flexible and switch to a new task easily.
  • You are open to collaborative work on a team or partnership and enjoy working together closely at least 80% of the time. You are okay with others ' help and welcome it. Generally, adults with Autism prefer working alone and do not collaboration.
  • You get so focused on something you enjoy, you find it difficult to switch to something else.
  • You have a series of activities that you know will calm you down. You do these when stressed.
  • Your routine keeps you calm and grounded.
  • Routines make you feel calm and stable.
  • You get anxious over things you can't control. Or you get anxious if you don't know the plan.
  • You get hyperfocused on one or two things (special interests) at a time for long periods for longer than 3 months.
  • If you're doing something you're not passioniate about or interested in, you have trouble filtering out random noises.
  • You can be blunt and to the point. You use words to communicate a point but are direct. What you say is what you mean.
  • You have the tendency to "monologue" on a topic you are interested in and others have told you that you have gone on too far or they look bored.
  • People say you are rude at times, even though you don't think you're being rude. Or you get the vibe that what you said was taken poorly by the other person.
  • You get bothered by things that other people are not interested in. This topic could be something that you think is not fair or injust that others don't seem to be bothered about.
  • For example at a dinner party.
  • You can go for hours and hours without realizing you're hungry.
  • You can get paralyzed by having to make a decision.
  • You get paralyzed by some hard decisions. This doesn't mean physically unable to move but you really can't do anything until the decision is made.
  • You can obsess over something for a long period of time.
  • You get so absorbed in something that you are unable to step back and think about different solutions or possibilities.
  • You obsess over things to such a degree that others have mentioned this to you.
  • You get obsessed with a problem and need to solve it or pursue the information relentlessly.
  • You tend to be self-conscious unless you are passionate and deeply excited about something. Or if you feel knowledgeable and skilled in that topic. Otherwise you feel insecure and anxious doing new tasks.
  • Like games or toys or music that were popular when you and others were younger.
  • I do not get stuck in repetitive thoughts about a topic.
  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.