For Aspies, multi-tasking is nearly impossible and a source of frustration. Multiple streams of information can be a source of sensory overload.
Bones
Hey Bones. And then we can figure that much face to face social interaction requires some amount of multi-tasking. Often there is more than one stream of information to deal with. There's the actual literal content of the verbal dialogue as well as non verbal messages. And at the same time, participants need to access their own memories and knowledge of the others.
Avoiding such multi tasking is maybe why my father likes to revert to written communication. There's been times in the past I've made a small talk comment and a few weeks later I get a multi page written treatise on the subject. The fact that I have two college degrees doesn't seem to register. He misinterprets the exchange, and then fails to take into account my history before making his reply.
This kind of interaction always felt dismissive and insulting. So it's helpful to realize it may result from processing difficulties he can't easily overcome.
