Infodumping is the casual name referring to the act of sharing an extensive amount of information, usually about a subject or topic the person is extremely passionate about, and it is a speech pattern usually linked to autism.
Why do neurodivergent people info dump?
Info dumping can come from the desire to share knowledge and bond over interesting facts. It does not necessarily match the listener’s interest and is often unwelcome.
Info dumping is usually misunderstood as the speaker trying to dominate the conversation, and it’s often perceived as socially inappropriate either because of the subject matter or the length, speed and unpromptedness of the info dump.
What could an info dump be about?
Stereotypically, info-dumping is linked with autistic men talking about trains, dinosaurs and science, but there is no limit to the subject matter when it comes to sharing information.
Regardless of age and gender, one could info dump on recipes, crafts, collections, TV shows, video games, fashion, make-up, design, art and anything that could be interesting or part of someone’s special interest. Info dumping can include minor details, scientific or historical background, backstory, development and mechanics.
Unmasking & info dumping
Neurodivergent people have often been reprimanded for info-dumping on topics they are very enthusiastic about, so many of us monitor ourselves and try not to mention our favourite things so as not to bother other people.
Years of being told we talk too much can result in holding ourselves back. This internalised shame about expressing enjoyment often results in not partaking in discussions about the topic, even when encouraged to do so.
Info dumping, however, often comes from a genuine place of seeking connection and expressing excitement and can be a crucial part of unmasking. Feeling safe and supported enough to info dump in the first place can be very freeing for neurodivergent people. A neuroaffirming environment should have built-in opportunities to info dump.
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