We say what we mean. They play chess. · Making Progress with ADHD

We say what we mean. They play chess.

I had a massive realization recently that made so many past interactions finally click for me.

I realized that a lot of neurotypicals navigate conversations through this hidden lens of competition and social positioning. They’re constantly reading between the lines, managing impressions, and playing this unwritten game.

Meanwhile, for those of us with ADHD or on the spectrum, we aren't even playing:

I have zero interest in status games. I just want to connect, solve the problem, share ideas, or build something cool.
I say what I mean, and I mean what I say. No hidden subtext, no agendas, and no mind reading required.

The wildest part? When you don't realize the other person treats a simple conversation like a competition, just being honest and direct gets misread as aggressive or tactical. In reality, I’m just being straight with you.

Has anyone else noticed this? How do you handle it when your directness gets completely misinterpreted? 👇

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We say what we mean. They play chess.