Aphantasia, Autism, and Perception

Navigating a World Without Mental Imagery

When we realize that our perception of the world is independent from others, we must recognize these differences and understand how they have influenced, are influencing, and will continue to influence our lives and the lives of those around us.

For instance, I once learned about a condition called aphantasia, where individuals can’t visualize images in their minds. This doesn’t hinder creativity or success. It simply means that when asked to visualize something, they see nothing.

When I discovered I had this, it offered another reason for feeling different. For instance, when Erin or Camper or Commander aren’t present, I can’t easily recall their appearances or details about them. I know Erin has hazel-green eyes. I’ve seen them, but can’t describe in detail their shape, size, or placement. However, I recognize them instantly when I see them.

Interestingly, while some people say actors like Jodi Foster and Helen Hunt look alike, especially early in their careers, I see clear differences between them. Even if I can’t visualize them, I spot the inherent distinctions between them, and their voices are distinct.

This unique observational ability, where I perceive details in real-time but can’t visualize them later, seems to sharpen my sense of distinctiveness.

Discovering you have aphantasia can be unsettling. When I close my eyes to imagine, I see a vast blackness. Imagine not being able to visualize a beloved face or place when you close your eyes and try.

I’m not alone. In an informal survey of those identifying with autism spectrum disorder, 50% could visualize, while the remainder couldn’t or were uncertain. Though not definitive, this indicates a link between autism and aphantasia.

Aphantasia has been acknowledged since the late 1800s. Although minimal research connects it directly to autism, I believe the inability to visualize should be further studied in relation to autism profiles.

Since Commander, too, is autistic, I aim to understand aphantasia better. As a stay-at-home parent, my goal is to offer him greater opportunities than I had, making understanding this phenomenon crucial.

However, seeing Commander engage in imaginative play, creating original My Singing Monsters characters or new creatures from Roblox games, alleviates my concerns about his potential aphantasia.

In my personal exploration, I’ve found that while I can’t visualize, I can discern differences in similar images. I’ve downloaded colorful, abstract images to use in my studies, hoping they’ll anchor abstract ideas in my mind for easier recall.

This idea isn’t baseless and has been applied to learning challenges by changing reading material backgrounds. Though I can’t cite specific sources now, I’ll seek supporting evidence as I continue my research.

For those with aphantasia or those with it as part of their autism profile, knowing its name is empowering. With this knowledge, we can adapt and thrive.