As an educator I am keenly interested in how aphantasia affects learning and wonder why it is still so rarely discussed or acknowledged. Perhaps it is because most aphantasics find alternative strategies and can learn and respond to many tasks very successfully using these. As the article 'Learning with Aphantasia' states, "in the absence of visual there are still verbal strategies." For as long as I remember, I have been very good with words and talented in literacy. From an early age I had my stories read out, led debates and enjoyed giving presentations. Whilst I'd not remember or, often, even notice what someone had been wearing or the colour of the room we may have met in, I had a very good memory for conversations and often wondered why others repeated the same stories or information to me several times having forgotten they'd already told me. My memory and learning works through words and semantic associations. Since finding out about aphantasia, I have wondered if my lack of visual memory has actually created more 'space' for my semantic memory: I'm certain it has increased my knowledge of words and symbols, whilst simultaneously focusing and sharpening my use of them. I ended up as an English teacher and Head of Media Studies; perhaps ironically, teaching students how to analyse and make meaning of moving visual images! They do, of course, have to do this with words.

Hi Tamra, like you I see it as a difference not a disability and lived perfectly well for 50+ years without knowing it even existed so it's certainly my 'normal' - though I was surprised it isn't better known or publicised. My question was based on the fact that people out there do offer, or propose, a 'cure' and I wondered if anyone had any experience or knowledge of this happening as I'm extremely sceptical of the claims being made. I also think your comparison doesn't take into account the fact that as visualisation is the norm. Therefore, hyperphantasia being the ability to visualize very well could or would be considered a 'gift'. Conversely, aphantasia will generally be seen as a deficit, as it's something we can't do that most people can - Hence people online offering a 'cure'.

As an educator I am keenly interested in how aphantasia affects learning and wonder why it is still so rarely discussed or acknowledged. Perhaps it is because most aphantasics find alternative strategies and can learn and respond to many tasks very successfully using these. As the article 'Learning with Aphantasia' states, "in the absence of visual there are still verbal strategies." For as long as I remember, I have been very good with words and talented in literacy. From an early age I had my stories read out, led debates and enjoyed giving presentations. Whilst I'd not remember or, often, even notice what someone had been wearing or the colour of the room we may have met in, I had a very good memory for conversations and often wondered why others repeated the same stories or information to me several times having forgotten they'd already told me. My memory and learning works through words and semantic associations. Since finding out about aphantasia, I have wondered if my lack of visual memory has actually created more 'space' for my semantic memory: I'm certain it has increased my knowledge of words and symbols, whilst simultaneously focusing and sharpening my use of them. I ended up as an English teacher and Head of Media Studies; perhaps ironically, teaching students how to analyse and make meaning of moving visual images! They do, of course, have to do this with words.

Hi Tamra, like you I see it as a difference not a disability and lived perfectly well for 50+ years without knowing it even existed so it's certainly my 'normal' - though I was surprised it isn't better known or publicised. My question was based on the fact that people out there do offer, or propose, a 'cure' and I wondered if anyone had any experience or knowledge of this happening as I'm extremely sceptical of the claims being made. I also think your comparison doesn't take into account the fact that as visualisation is the norm. Therefore, hyperphantasia being the ability to visualize very well could or would be considered a 'gift'. Conversely, aphantasia will generally be seen as a deficit, as it's something we can't do that most people can - Hence people online offering a 'cure'.