#thought structure

[autism-asks]

Do neurotypicals actually always think in words? Like do all of their thoughts really just naturally come as the words of their native language? I primarily think in concepts, which then have to be translated to words if i want to communicate it to someone, and am not sure if neurotypicals do this too or if it's because i'm autistic

From conversations I’ve had with others, I’ve ascertained that people of all neurotypes think in a variety of ways. Some neurotypicals think exclusively in words. Other think in pictures. Others think in concepts. Most think in a mix of all three. From observation, it seems like neurodivergent people are more likely to think in a specific way rather than a mix of ways. 

-Sabrina

[autism-asks]

What's the opposite of that? Like I think in pictures/colours all the time and it's hard for me to think in words?

The opposite of aphantasia (the inability to think in visual sensory experiences) is hyperphantasia (only thinking in visual sensory experiences). Typically, people think in a combination of visual memory and words, as well as remembered sounds, feelings, and more complex associative/conceptual ideas (eg. the plot of a book, the message in music, the emotions in a conversation, etc.)

-Sean