Do Autistic People Think in Pictures? A Personal Perspective
Autistic individuals often think in pictures, but thinking styles vary widely, highlighting the need for personalized support and understanding.
As an actually autistic adult and autism advocate, I often encounter discussions about “thinking in pictures” in the context of autism. One of the people who is using the theory that autistic people think in pictures is certainly Temple Grandin, and she has written a lot about it.
Many studies suggest that autistic people use visual images in their minds to process information instead of words or other methods. I want to share my perspective on this topic and highlight the diversity and personal experiences within the autism spectrum.
Research on Thinking in Pictures
Research shows that 80% of autistic people say they mostly think in pictures, 12% say they might think in pictures, and 8% say they do not. These numbers suggest that many autistic people prefer visual thinking. However, it’s crucial to remember that autism is a spectrum, meaning there’s a lot of variation in how we think.
Frequent Use of Visual Mental Images
