andrew mackay

Lots of overlap with what Catherine said, so I won't repeat those aspects. I didn't realise I had aphantasia till my 40s. I'm not sure it's been a hinderance, though perhaps it was a part of the reason I was better at some things than others. A few of the cliches hold, I was in the final 20 for selection in the UK Maths Olympics squad, my daughter's artistic ability surpassed mine around 5yo. Though I equally enjoy some "artistic pursuits", such as singing and acting. If only geniuses could raise geniuses, we would have far fewer geniuses. Neither of my parents had qualifications, and they had two mathematically minded children. Teachers don't need to be geniuses to teach geniuses, they need to provide the right resources, environment and opportunities for the student to learn and grow, at their pace. Also, beyond intellectual growth, a parent/teacher/mentor provides an important role in nurturing one's emotional intelligence. Perhaps, aphantasia can help one be more stoical, being less distracted by visual negative thoughts. It can help one focus more on the present. It can therefore help you focus on what it is you want to learn. I have awesome dreams too! I can also "overload people". I've found self regulation is key. In particular, practice "active listening" (not always easy), the individuals may not be geniuses, but there is wisdom in crowds.