Jennifer Wilger

I heard a story about aphantasia on Radio Lab. I am the parent of an autistic (Asperger's) young adult, and the head of a school for neurodivergent (ASD 1 and similar social/executive function needs), so quite familiar with "thinking in pictures." It's how Temple Grandin thinks, picturing specific individual church steeples, dogs, etc. I am so "wordy" that I sometimes think in keyboard strokes. I learned to type in 7th grade, and my mind just types away. I have always had trouble visualizing, especially when building and furnishing our homes. I can't imagine it until I see it. I do better with written turn-by-turn directions than landmarks. I do remember visual details (i.e., the shirt my husband then boyfriend wore frequently when we were dating in college), but if I try to actually picture them (eyes closed) I don't really see anything. I have always treasured my photos - of my kids, places I've traveled, beautiful landscapes. Maybe because this is how I actually remember? I am not a mathematician or scientist though, definitely humanities to the core. I also have a strangely accurate memory for minute details (individual purchase amounts that stand out in a yearly budget, where infrequently used kitchen gadgets are stored/or were last used, names of restaurants/hotels in places we've traveled). I like to say that I can work with big ideas and fine details, but need support with some of the stuff in between.