Sub-topic : DEVELOP TALENTS IN SPECIALIZED BRAINS
When I wrote Thinking In Pictures I thought most people on the autism spectrum were visual thinkers like me. After talking to hundreds of families and individuals with autism or Asperger’s, I have observed that there are actually different types of specialized brains. All people on the spectrum think in details, but there are three basics categories of specialized brains.
Visual thinkers, like me, think in photographically specific images. There are degrees of specificity of visual thinking. I can test run a machine in my head with full motion. Interviews with non autistic visual thinkers indicated that they can only visualize still images. These images may range in specificity from images of specific places to more vague conceptual. Learning algebra was impossible and a foreign language was difficult. Highly specific visual thinkers should skip algebra and study more visual forms of math such as trigonometry or geometry. Children who are visual thinkers will often be good at drawing, other arts, and building things with building toys such as Legos. Many children who are visual thinkers like maps, flags and photographs. Visual thinkers are well suited to jobs in drafting, graphic design, training animals, auto-mechanics, jewelry making, constructions and factory automation.
Music and math thinkers think in patterns. These people often excel at math, chess and computer programming. Some of these individuals have explained to me that they see patterns and numbers instead of photographic images. As children they may play music by ear and be interested in music. Music and math minds often have careers in computer programming, chemistry, statistics, engineering, music, and physics. Written language is not required for pattern thinking. The pre-literate Incas used complex bundles of knotted cords to keep track of labor, and trading among thousands of people.
Verbal logic thinkers think in word details. They often love history, foreign languages, weather statistics, and stock market reports. As children they often have a vast knowledge of sports scores. They are not visual thinkers and they are often poor at drawing. Children with speech delays are more likely to become visual or music and math thinkers. Many of these individuals had no speech delays, and they became word specialists. These individuals have found successful careers in language translation, journalism, accounting, speech therapy, special education, library work or financial analysis.
Since brain on the autistic spectrum are specialized, there needs to be more educational emphasis on building up their strengths instead of just working on their deficits. Tutoring me in algebra was useless because there was nothing for me to visualize. If I have no picture, I have no thought. Unfortunately I never had an opportunity to try trigonometry or geometry. Teachers and parents need to develop the child’s talents into skills that can eventually turn into satisfying jobs or hobbies.
Sumber: http://dustyletterbox.blogspot.com
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