Bottom Up Processing

 

Many neurodivergent people tend to think in a more “bottom-up” way, while many neurotypical people lean “top-down.” Top-down thinking is fast and efficient. You walk into a room, see a baked good on the counter, and based on past experience, you quickly go, “That’s a birthday cake.” Then you might notice the decorations, the colour, the details. 

Bottom-up thinking works in the opposite direction. You walk into the same room and notice the smell of something freshly baked. Maybe a hint of smoke from recently blown-out candles. The red icing. The multi-coloured sprinkles. The sound of a fan. The breeze from an open window. All of that information gets processed, and then you arrive at: “There’s a cake here.” 

It’s not that one is better than the other. But top-down is usually faster because it filters early. Bottom-up takes in more before filtering, which can look like “slow processing” from the outside. But it isn’t slow; it’s more data being processed before a conclusion is reached. 

This is why many neurodivergent individuals excel at noticing patterns others miss, make unique connections, think outside the box, and thrive in creative environments. Bottom-up thinking isn’t a deficit. It’s a different processing style. 

It does mean many do better with hands-on, visual, play-based, or exploratory approaches, need clear, direct instructions with limited assumptions, patience, and open-mindedness from others, and environments that limit overwhelm and sensory overload.

The right support and environment can lead to incredibly creative and unique outcomes.

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