Changing perceptions of TrauDHD through predictive coding
💡 How predictive coding helps us understand the strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals
It's hard to believe, but there was a time when I began to doubt my autism diagnosis. After undergoing successful trauma therapy, my autistic behaviors seemed to decrease, and I began to wonder if my diagnosis, made during a time when autism was poorly understood, could be incorrect. What if the help and experiences I had shared with others with autism were not justified? The uncertainty made me feel uneasy for a while.
But my doubts were put to rest when when I stumbled upon the concept of predictive coding, also known as the "predictive brain." This theory suggests that perception is an active process of making predictions and adjusting them based on incoming sensory information.
To help me wrap my head around this idea, I thought of watching a magic trick where the magician pulls off a sneaky move you just can't see coming. Your brain starts making guesses like "I bet he hid the coin in his sleeve!" And that's exactly how our brains work all the time, making predictions based on past experiences. But when something unexpected happens, we adjust our predictions based on new information. This means that how we perceive the world is an active process, not just a passive reflection of what's out there.
Autism and predictive coding
In relation to autism, the High Inflexible Precision Prediction Errors (HIPPEA) theory was developed, building on the concept of a predictive brain.
This theory says that autism-related behaviors happen because of differences in how the brain deals with what it expects versus what actually happens.
The key point here is the signal-to-noise ratio, which is all about the brain telling important stuff from unimportant stuff. When reality doesn't match our expectations, we get prediction errors. We use these errors to learn and update our mental models. To do this well, we need to figure out which errors come from important changes around us that we need to learn from (signal) and which come from random stuff that doesn't matter (noise). Basically, the HIPPEA theory suggests that people with autism might have a hard time telling signal from noise. This leads to them wanting very precise predictions and having trouble changing their expectations when new info comes in. Being super specific with their predictions can make them extra alert and reactive to things around them, making daily life and socializing tough.
Picture being at the airport, and the boarding process hasn't started when it was supposed to. Your brain makes a guess based on past experiences: boarding should have started by now. But when that guess is wrong, you need to change your thinking based on a new idea: maybe there's a delay on the screen? This is one way to fix the prediction error.
Now, not everyone reacts the same way to a prediction error like this. It depends on how precise you expect your prediction to be. If you're not too bothered by it, you might just brush it off. But if it's super important (like if you have a connecting flight), you could get anxious.
Most people without autism can adjust and move on without getting too upset. But for people with autism, it can be more difficult. They might feel more stressed and worried, even if the delay doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.
ADHD and predictive coding
As for ADHD, there is no typical association with sensory signals. However, there is some evidence that suggests a link between ADHD and errors in reward prediction and reinforcement learning, which are a result of disrupted dopamine regulation. Imagine you're playing a video game and the rewards for completing tasks or reaching milestones just don't seem as exciting as they used to be. You find it harder to focus and figure out how to level up. That's what it can feel like for individuals with ADHD. They may experience a decreased reward response and have difficulty adjusting their expectations based on past experiences.
Trauma and predictive coding
Additionally, there is a growing body of research exploring the link between predictive coding and trauma. Traumatic experiences can disrupt the way our brains generate predictions about the world, leading to a mismatch between what we expect and what we experience. This mismatch can cause our brains to be constantly on high alert, making it difficult to regulate our emotions and respond appropriately to our environment.
By studying how the brain generates predictions and how it adjusts them based on incoming sensory information, researchers may be able to develop new approaches to help people with trauma and ADHD regulate their emotions and manage their attention and focus better. This understanding could lead to more inclusive and effective therapy for everyone.
I think the potential applications of predictive coding for neurodivergent conditions are exciting, and we are only beginning to scratch the surface of what we can learn from this theory.
Predictive coding has the potential to shed light on the unique strengths and challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. This insight can pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches and interventions. I think it’s truly exciting to see what the future holds.