Dr. Heiner Lachenmeier, in his book ADHD and Success at Work, highlights the benefits of an important aspect of ADHD cognition: the absence of an automatic mental filter. Unlike neurotypical brains, which often prioritise and filter incoming stimuli, the ADHD brain processes a wider range of information simultaneously. While this can present challenges in focus and organisation, it also creates opportunities for innovation and creativity. Figuratively speaking, when ‘connecting the dots’, ADHD minds may sometimes get more dots to connect.
No Filter, Broader Associations
The human brain typically relies on automatic filters to manage the overwhelming amount of sensory and cognitive input received daily. These filters prioritise relevant information while discarding extraneous stimuli. Dr. Lachenmeier argues that individuals with ADHD often lack this automatic filtering, resulting in a more open and expansive cognitive landscape. After-all, the brain cannot always know exactly which information is extraneous, so some of what ‘gets in’ may turn out to be useful.
This unfiltered approach enables ADHD minds to make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas. For instance, where a neurotypical brain might focus on one linear solution to a problem, an ADHD brain might simultaneously consider multiple angles, perspectives, and possibilities. This wider breadth of association enables creative thinking and innovative problem-solving, often leading to out-of-the-box ideas that push boundaries and challenge conventions.
While the absence of a filter enhances creativity, it also comes with challenges:
- Distractibility: Processing multiple streams of input can make it difficult to maintain focus on a single task.
- Overwhelm: The sheer volume of information can lead to cognitive overload, making prioritisation and process-following harder.
- Difficulty with Routine Tasks: The ADHD brain’s preference for novelty and variety may clash with environments requiring repetitive or linear approaches.
- Auditory Processing Challenges: People with ADHD often face hearing issues, that are not actually to do with hearing but processing sounds with the disturbance of both external and internal noise.
- Uncertainty of Asks: When given instructions without enough detail, people with ADHD will often be found asking lots of questions – the answers to which may seem ‘obvious’ to others, but because of the extra information available to those with ADHD, they can often envision multiple alternatives or see multiple meanings in what might have been asked.
Success Through Unconventional Thinking
One of the core arguments in ADHD and Success at Work is that the unfiltered nature of ADHD cognition is not a flaw but a unique cognitive style that aligns well with dynamic, creative, and fast-paced environments. This fits well with the evolutionary psychology view of ADHD that what in today’s society may cause challenges, were historically beneficial traits which were important to survival, including through hunting and exploration (Hartmann, 2023).
Professions that value innovation, such as design, entrepreneurship, or technology, often benefit from the diverse perspectives and lateral thinking ADHD individuals bring to the table.
Dr. Lachenmeier suggests that this wider breadth of association allows individuals with ADHD to see connections that others might miss, resulting in innovation and driving progress. Their ability to think “big picture” while exploring diverse ideas simultaneously is a strength that should be celebrated and supported in professional settings.
Harnessing ADHD Strengths at Work
Dr. Lachenmeier emphasises the importance of creating supportive environments that accommodate ADHD traits. Flexible workflows, opportunities for creative input, and tools to manage distractions can help individuals with ADHD thrive. Recognising their unique cognitive processes and focusing on their strengths transforms challenges into opportunities for success.
References
- Lachenmeier, H. (2022). ADHD and Success at Work: The Unique Strengths of Neurodivergence in Professional Environments. Springer.
- Lachenmeier, H. (2022). Understanding ADHD Cognition and Creativity. Journal of Neurodivergent Workplace Dynamics, 14(3), 210–228.
- Hartmann, T. (2023). What is ADHD? Are You a Hunter in a Farmer’s World? https://www.hunterinafarmersworld.com/p/what-is-adhd-are-you-a-hunter-in