How the Brain Chooses What Matters

Psychology Today

by Hari Srinivasan

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The brain doesn't always benefit from combining all the senses. In fact, for individuals with autism or ADHD, clarity often comes from focusing on specific inputs rather than trying to process everything at once. Multisensory integration—the process of blending sights, sounds, and other stimuli into a unified experience—can be effective when signals align, but it's not the default mode for everyone. Instead, some brains rely on active selection, keeping sensory inputs separate until they can determine which ones are most relevant. This strategy helps manage sensory competition, where multiple cues fight for attention in environments filled with overlapping sounds or movements. The timing of sensory events plays a crucial role in how the brain interprets them. Research suggests that individuals with autism may have different temporal binding windows, meaning their brains don't automatically group sights and sounds unless they are clearly related. This can make navigating fast-paced or chaotic environments more challenging, as the effort lies not in noise itself but in deciding which cues belong together. For these individuals, tuning out certain inputs isn’t a sign of disengagement but rather a deliberate strategy to maintain focus and clarity. Understanding this approach is vital for anyone interested in health, particularly those supporting individuals with autism or ADHD. Recognizing that selective attention is often a survival mechanism can foster more empathetic environments. By allowing one sensory stream to guide action while others recede, individuals can stabilize their perception and navigate the world more effectively—whether it’s holding a conversation in a noisy café or completing tasks without getting overwhelmed by distractions. This insight highlights how flexibility in processing sensory information is key to managing daily life.

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Originally published on Psychology Today on 2/23/2026