Did you know that I can hear people chewing across a crowded room? It’s true. And irritating. I can hear lights and electrical currents, too. When I’m in social situations for too long, my ability to speak becomes severely impaired for hours afterward. I can quickly see the outcome of different choices and decisions, which can be a good thing—but has also landed me in trouble more than once.

I’ve spent my entire life dealing with these issues. But I never really knew why I had to at all. It ...