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AUTISM GLOSSARY
Aphantasia
DEFINITION
Aphantasia is the inability to form mental images — the mind's eye is blank. It is more common in autistic and neurodivergent people than in the general population and can affect memory, imagination, and creative processes.
WHY IT MATTERS
Aphantasia is underrecognized and can affect how people learn, remember, and navigate certain tasks. Understanding it helps tailor support and explanation strategies.
COMMON MISCONCEPTION
Aphantasia is not a disorder requiring treatment. It is a neurological difference in how the mind processes imagery. Many people with aphantasia function without difficulty once they understand their own cognition.