Telling Children That You Can't Visualize Their Childhood | Aphantasia Network

Telling Children That You Can't Visualize Their Childhood

Does anyone have experience telling young(ish) - 12 and 14 - children about learning of your aphantasia and having to explain that you don't have visual memories of their childhood? I'd like to hear about your experience in telling family members.

Thanks,

Adam

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Megan Schmidt•recently•edited

Also, I just questioned my two teen boys. Turns out, they both have aphantasia. They were imaging the Apple and describing the Apple, zooming in on the stem…but then revealed they actually see black.

Megan Schmidt•recently•edited

I probably wouldn’t tell my teens that I have no visual memories of my childhood (implying I don’t of their childhood either). I would say I have great memories. (I can’t can’t physically see it)

Cheryl Dambrowski•recently•edited

I didn't find out I had Aphantasia until I was 70 so I raised 3 children and never told them I had no visuals of the past with them because I didn't know they were any different than I was. Once I found out about Aphantasia, I just asked my family and a few close friends if they could see an apple and explained that I cannot visualize an apple or anything else. Not from the past or present. It hasn't been a problem.

Neal White•recently•edited

I don't have children, but here's how I approached sharing my aphantasia with my extended family: I'd wait until a time when your family is doing something together, which doesn't require much thinking, like assembling a jigsaw puzzle or a long car ride. At an appropriate time, ask your kids some questions like: * Close your eyes and think of a favorite place, like a beach. What do you see? * Is it like real life, like watching a movie, like a shadow, blurs of colors, or just black? * Do you feel the wind, smell the salt air, or hear the roar of the waves? * What do you see and experience when you're dreaming? It's entirely possible that either child might also have aphantasia. I would not "explain that you don't have visual memories of their childhood". Instead, just say that you don't have a visual memory. No need to focus on their childhood at all. You shouldn't feel guilty or regretful for something you can't control. Can you remember sounds, smells, touch, or taste? If so, you can share that you, for example, still remember the first time they said a word, or dada, etc. Whatever else you do, I'd recommend taking lots of photos and videos.