MINDFUL MEDIA : THINKING IN PICTURES

This summer I worked as a counselor at a day camp for children with Autism.  It was a physical, emotional, inspiring, eye opening experience, and I loved every minute of it.  Speech Pathologists are working increasingly with people with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  According to AutismSpeaks.org, "these disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors."  Before I had personal experience with individuals with Autism, I was inspired by reading Temple Grandin's book, Thinking in Pictures: and Other Reports from My Life with Autism.  She is an animal scientist who has revolutionized the design of live-stock handling facilities.  She is also an advocate of people with Autism, lecturing nationwide about how she experiences thoughts, feelings, and the world at large much differently than most people.  There are several interesting stories, facts, etc. in this book that I would like to share with you, but what would be the point in retyping the whole book?  So, here are a few of my favorites...

1.  I consider myself somewhat of a visual learner, therefore, somewhat of a visual thinker.  However, Grandin takes this to a whole new level, in that she associates each word with a picture, or symbol.  This is easy enough with nouns that directly relate to pictures, but proves difficult with abstract words such as peace, or honesty.  When she reads or listens to someone speaking, the words are instantly translated into full-color, full-sound movies that run through her mind like a VCR tape.  Her visual thinking and related visual spatial skills, both highly common in the autistic community, have given her a definite advantage in her line of work.

2.  Grandin's emotions are more like those of a child, than an adult.  She understands simple emotions like happiness, sadness, fear, and anger, but cannot comprehend complex emotions.  She explains, "I don't understand how a person can love someone one minute and want to kill him in a jealous rage the next.  I don't understand being happy and sad at the same time."  She adds, "I know I am missing something when other people swoon over a beautiful sunset.  Intellectually I know it is beautiful, but I don't feel it."  Also, unlike many people who let their emotions distort the facts, her mind can always separate the two.