The Roundabout Hypothesis
A visual explanation of how the neurodivergent brain processes information - and what happens when it becomes overloaded. Created by Chris Memmott.
The Roundabout Hypothesis uses the metaphor of a roundabout to explain how the neurodivergent brain handles incoming information. When traffic flows freely, the brain processes smoothly. When the roundabout becomes overloaded - too much sensory input, social demand, or cognitive load - nothing gets through, leading to shutdown, meltdown, or overwhelm.
Who is this for?
Employers, educators, healthcare professionals, parents, carers, and neurodivergent individuals who want to understand and explain overload in an accessible, visual way.
About the creator
The Roundabout Hypothesis was created by Chris Memmott, one of our trainers and an autistic Expert by Experience with over a decade working in autism and neurodiversity.
Want to understand sensory overload properly?
This infographic is a starting point. Our course What is Sensory Processing? explains how overload builds, why information stops getting through, and the adjustments that reduce total sensory and cognitive demand. It carries a certificate worth 2 hours of CPD.
Explore the course →
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- Printable A3 & A4 sizes
- Created by Chris Memmott
- Published by Neurodiverse Training
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