I remember in school being asked to read aloud, then comment on what I read. Teachers were confused when I needed to read it again silently for comprehension. I could execute the performative task of reading the text aloud, or the cognitive task of reading for understanding, but not both simultaneously.

I was so embarrassed to realize that not everyone was like that.

I find that I can let people know my limitations aloud and they are pretty understanding. Working out the correct phrase can help a lot.

Hey if people wanna play with their lives by talking to me while I'm driving... 😂 That's when I look straight at another car coming onto the intersection and drive straight ahead because I saw it, but that didn't mean it also registered.

I don't have trouble listening to someone while doing something else, but speaking is a different problem. Then again, I'm quite bad in multitasking in general.

I had an interesting conversation related to this with a friend of mine a while back. Apparently she usually thinks mostly in words, while I think in more abstract sensations or images. (summer = dark green color + feeling of warm sunlight and warm wind) All she has to do to talk is say her thoughts outloud, while I have to first translate them into words and sentences before I can even open my mouth.

Definitely. When I am doing one thing and start talking also the talking is semi-stream of consciousness. But when I 'check in' on what I'm saying I find it's mostly just the same two things being repeated but like in different orders. Kind of a word salad with purpose behind it. Though it works better when I can talk and then do the other thing without having to think about the other thing.

I'd suggest if you need to have a thoughtful conversation and put in more processing focus on the convo and stop the other stuff you're doing. If you feel that's not possible, stopping the other stuff, maybe try to tell the person that you can give them a minute and you have to get back to your other thing. Obviously works better with people you have talked about this with before.

Monosyllabic responses tend to get the point across pretty well.

You are not alone. I can't really do anything else and maintain a conversation.

Not sure if this is similar but I can't listen to a podcast and work. I either put 100 percent of my brain into work or the podcast. Now put on some music, and I can jam in my head while working - in fact it seems to help my drive on whatever I'm focusing on.

I talk best with someone while fidgeting with a simple task, pacing around, or both of us looking far off in the distance. It gives me an excuse to look away and get rid of the energy. If I'm not doing anything at all, then I get too focused on looking like I'm listening or normal. If I'm doing something that takes concentration, then I'm going to completely 💯% mess one of them up royally.

I'm constantly apologizing at work because I cannot write and speak at the same time.