Autism, thinking and whiteboards.

From my earliest memories, I've had a unique relationship with the surrounding space. As a child, I would sit for hours in front of a blank wall. To my mum, it seemed like I was staring into nothingness, but for me, that wall was a canvas for my thoughts, a practice that many might find mystifying, particularly for those with aphantasia, who experience the world without mental imagery. Or those with a particularly linear thinking style.

As I grew, the walls around me transformed from imaginary canvases to literal ones. To everyone's joy, I began to draw directly on them! This wasn't mere child's play, but a necessary expansion of my cognitive canvas, allowing my visual mind to explore ideas in a space as unlimited as my imagination. Without doing this, it was literally difficult to think. Traditional pen and paper felt too confined, too restrictive for my thoughts.

With the advent of computers in the 90s, my cognitive landscape expanded yet again. The digital canvas allowed me to 'think out' into the computer, where software tools became extensions of my thought processes, enabling a more dynamic interaction with my ideas.

Now, as an adult, I stand before a whiteboard, which has become the latest evolution of my thinking space. This isn't just a tool; it's the culmination of a lifelong journey through visual thinking—a path that might seem alien to those who experience the world differently due to neurological variations like aphantasia.

This lifelong integration of tool and thought underscores a broader narrative: that our cognitive tools aren't just aids, but integral parts of how we interact with the world. They shape how literally how we manage our thinking, solve problems, and perceive our surroundings.

I'm sharing these reflections because I hope to bridge understanding between divergent thinking styles and illustrate the profound impact that neurodivergence has on innovation and creativity. I genuinely want folks to recognize and celebrate the diverse cognitive landscapes that populate our world, encouraging a dialogue that enriches our collective understanding.

As someone who has navigated the complexities of autism, dyslexia discalcula, substance abuse, tremendous successes and tremendous failures, I have more stories to tell and insights to share.

I hope you will join me in becoming a champion for the idea that our differences in thought are not just challenges to overcome but opportunities to expand our collective capacity for creativity. Here’s to the walls, whiteboards, and all the canvases yet to come. Cheers to a world where every mind’s potential is recognized and celebrated.

with love!