What is Mono Processing?

Mono processing is comparatively rare within the autistic population but it is very disabling especially in a multi-media world where the received wisdom is to present information using oral and visual information at the same time. While this is a good way of presenting information to a large segment of the population, it is not good for everyone.

It is a particularly unhelpful for that segment of the autistic population where people struggle to integrate visual information and oral information. There are some autistic people who can either take in information orally or visually but not both at the same time.

This differs from those who may have a strong preference for a certain modality. For example, some people prefer words and want diagrams translated into words, while others struggle to take in information without visual aids, but still needs the words to supplement the visual information. The multi-media approach is generally effective for both because they can both integrate visual and oral information, though they may have a preference for one over the other. In contrast, autistic people who experience mono processing cannot integrate both modalities at once; they can only focus on either vision or oral information, but not both at the same time.

Mono processing occurs when someone can receive information through only one sensory channel at a time - they may switch between channels. So if the hearing channel is open they will not be able to process visual nor touch nor smell nor taste information at that time. They will not be able to process emotional information either: neither their own nor your emotion.

For some autistic individuals, this is a consistent experience, while for others, it occurs in response to sensory overload. Many autistic people who have this difficulty may switch channels. So if you are talking and showing them something they may switch between listening and looking. Clearly, this is likely to result in them missing information. Just as just listening or just watching will result in them missing information and therefore not understanding.

In some cases, an individual may lose the ability to process information from one or more channels for extended periods, such as weeks or months at a time. If this is hearing, they will appear deaf; if vision they will appear blind. This experience can be very frightening and will make the world appear a very threatening and unpredictable place.

It is important to know which channel is open before presenting information. This will cause serious difficulties in a school situation, even specialist schools, if staff do not take this into account. It can be difficult to identify especially if a child shows talent in both drawing and music, for example.

Limited Processing

There is a much more common related but unnamed difficulty where information can be taken in via some but not all channels. So someone might be able to listen and watch a lecture, but not take notes at the same time. Or someone might be able to listen and watch you, but you touching them might not register at all. Or if someone is watching a film, while eating, they may not be able to taste their food.

Or someone may be able to process what you are saying to them, but not be able to process that for personal emotional significance at the same time. So for example, the emotional significance of a death of a close friend or family member may not register at the time the person is being told. This can lead to misunderstanding and the person being thought of as indifferent. We have come across a case where the emotional significance of the death of his mother did not register for a year.

This experience needs a name, especially as this is a common autistic experience. We propose we call it Limited Processing.

Vulnerability

Both Mono Processing and Limited Processing clearly make a person very vulnerable because they are able to only partially process what is going on around them. This will lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and increased vulnerability in various social and learning environments. It will also make them vulnerable to scammers and others who want to defraud them.

If you are an adult, understanding what is causing your difficulties makes it easier for you to devise strategies for yourself. It also makes it easier to describe your difficulties and what you need to help you to your employer. However, if you are really struggling a work and don’t know what will help, consider persuading your manager to fund a workplace assessment.

As a parent of an autistic child, it is important to recognise that mono-processing or limited processing are just part of the picture. Every autistic child has their own cognitive profile, with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Identifying these strengths and challenges is the key to helping them thrive. For instance, a child who experiences mono-processing might excel in areas like drawing or music, but struggle to follow multi-modal instructions in school. Or they might show unusual and novel creative problem solving ability. Understanding how your child processes information allows you to better support them in their learning journey, helping them play to their strengths while addressing their specific challenges.

This is exactly what the Minds in Depth membership program for parents focuses on. Through our approach, we teach you how to identify your child’s cognitive profile, including their strengths and weaknesses, so you can create a more supportive environment that works for them. Whether it’s navigating mono-processing difficulties or uncovering hidden strengths that may be overlooked in traditional settings, our program equips you with the information to help your child reach their full potential.

However, be aware that in complex cases where a lot of difficulties are interacting, you may still need Aspiedent to create an integrative cognitive profile for your child.