Page 9 - GHES-3-2

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability

REVIEW ARTICLE
Enhancing flow states in neurodivergent

individuals through cognitive network
integration

Piper Hutson* and James Hutson

Department of Art History, AI, and Visual Culture, College of Arts and Humanities, Lindenwood
University, Saint Charles, Missouri, United States of America

Abstract

This article explores the concept of “flow” in the context of neurodivergence, focusing
on the interaction between the default mode network (DMN) and task-positive networks
(TPNs), particularly in conditions such as autism spectrum condition (ASC) and attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Flow, a state of deep immersion and focused
engagement, is associated with enhanced performance and satisfaction across activities.
The DMN, typically active during rest and self-referential thinking, interacts uniquely
with TPNs during flow states, creating a dynamic balance crucial for sustained focus and
reduced self-referential thinking. Neurodivergent individuals often exhibit distinct DMN
Academic editor: activity patterns, which affect their capacity for achieving flow. For instance, individuals
Mihajlo Jakovljevic M.D. Ph.D. MAE
with ADHD may experience flow in stimulating tasks, whereas those with ASC may
*Corresponding author: achieve it in areas of deep interest due to their intense focus. This paper examines the
Piper Hutson expertise-and-release model in creative flow and transient hypofrontality as a potential
(phutson@lindenwood.edu)
mechanism facilitating flow in neurodivergent individuals. It also proposes strategies to
Citation: Hutson, P. & Hutson, J. enhance flow through personalized cognitive training, specialized task environments,
(2025). Enhancing flow states in
neurodivergent individuals through and technology-assisted interventions, aiming to harness neurodivergent strengths
cognitive network integration. and accommodate unique cognitive profiles. This comprehensive analysis deepens
Global Health Econ Sustain, understanding of neurodiversity and offers practical applications for improving quality
3(2):1-10.
https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.4345 of life and performance in neurodivergent populations.
Received: July 27, 2024
Keywords: Neurodivergence; Flow state; Default model network; Task-positive networks;
1st revised: August 5, 2024
Transient hypofrontality; Expertise-plus-experience model
2nd revised: August 20, 2024
Accepted: August 30, 2024
Published online: October 8, 2024 1. Introduction
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article The concept of “flow” refers to a state of complete immersion and focused engagement
distributed under the terms of the in an activity, often resulting in enhanced performance and enjoyment. Investigating
Creative Commons Attribution whether neurodivergent individuals experience flow more frequently due to connections
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, with the brain’s default mode network (DMN) requires reviewing the scientific literature
provided the original work is on both flow states and neurodivergence. The DMN is a network of brain regions that are
properly cited. typically more active when a person is at rest and not focused on the external environment,
Publisher’s Note: AccScience such as during daydreaming, self-referential thought, and mind-wandering. Key
Publishing remains neutral with regions include the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, and angular
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional gyrus (Raichle, 2015). Studies continue to elucidate DMN’s role and its interactions
affiliations. with task-positive networks (TPNs), underscoring its relevance in neurotypical and

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.4345