1. Low-level, pervasive defect of information processing
2. Hyper-arousal and impaired selection in 1º processing
3. Overloading and maldevelopment of 2º processes

RESULT: weak central coherence, and developmental failure of specialised modules (theory-of-mind, face processing, language)

Specifically, we believe that autism involves hyper-arousal, as reflected in primary sensory processing that is abnormally intense and abnormally generalised across anatomical regions and functional systems,

and also impaired selection of relevant stimuli, as reflected in a lack of ability to activate appropriate brain regions selectively in response to attended stimuli

The resulting flood of undifferentiated stimuli from primary processing may lead to overloading of higher-order processes.

`Functional Anatomy of Compensatory Processing in Autistic Attention: Complementary Roles of Selection and Suppression', Matthew Belmonte, 1 November 2002