Symbolic thinking...Aspergers trait or just me?

[epath13]

I wasn't sure how to call it, so I called it "symbolic thinking", maybe not the best name but doesn't matter. I've heard before that people on the spectrum have some issues with metaphors and taking things litteraly. I also have these issues sometimes, nowadays not as often but at the same time I've got another thing going on. Sometimes it's much easier for me to describe my thoughts, feelings and even opinions in a symbolic way. That's just the way it is. I often have to "translate" my visions and thoughts in "human" language so others can understand what I mean. I can give an example. For instance it's easy for me to say, that, let's say on day X I feel like I'm in a cardboard world and all the people are made of cardboard and I have to put a cardboard dummy in front of my soul to communicate with them. Pretty simple isn't it? most of the folks would say:"what the f.ck?" right? when, long time ago, I tried to tell my mom that this is the easiest way for me to express myself, she was terrified, asked me to stop because she thought I was going nuts. But there's nothing to it. I just think in symbols, maybe I just think with my subconsciousness another example. I had a meeting about my son's future school and had hard time describing it but if I do it my way - nothing to it. There were separate bits of energy, they were not unified, at least not appeared to be,but they all were moving in one direction which is reassuring and that is the most important thing. Another thing I noticed that there several bright lights in those bits which is very promising. So after expressing information in this way I can translate it in "human" language and describe the most important aspects of the meeting...
Does anyone experience something similar? I was wondering if it's because of Aspergers or something else...I mean I think it's pretty cool, it's just that lots of people don't get it.

 

[142857]

I can't really relate specifically to what you are saying. I don't think in symbols.

My brain does work very differently to most people's brains. I do think visually, I can "see" a process in my head and run through it and see things that may go wrong. This can be an advantage and (occasionally) a disadvantage.

 

[Spinning Compass]

I have been told by quite a few different people that I have the unique ability to make connections that others can't see, so maybe that is a symbolic thing. Also when trying to describe my feelings I sometimes resort to symbols and metaphors. Sometimes people can get them, sometimes they can't. I liked your image of "cardboard people." You sound like a poet. Have you thought of writing poetry? Sometimes you can say some things in poetry that you can't in prose.

 

[epath13]

I have been told by quite a few different people that I have the unique ability to make connections that others can't see, so maybe that is a symbolic thing. Also when trying to describe my feelings I sometimes resort to symbols and metaphors. Sometimes people can get them, sometimes they can't. I liked your image of "cardboard people." You sound like a poet. Have you thought of writing poetry? Sometimes you can say some things in poetry that you can't in prose.

It's interesting that you've mentioned it. I do write...I wouldn't call it poetry...lyrics for my songs. Even though nowadays I try to write my songs in a way so majority of people could understand them more or less and hopefully relate to them. I think my symbolic vision or thinking is better presented in my art. Maybe most of or if not most of but many abstract artists think the way I do... Who knows, I haven't thought to talk to other artists about that... Weird I've heard before that there're lots of people on the spectrum who are visual thinkers and i think I even read in one of the Temple Grandin's books about people who think the way I do, that's why I was wondering if anyone here can relate to that.

 

[Linneth]

I also often describe my feelings using symbols/metaphors, particularly when "fine, thanks" doesnt cut it. For example, I might say I feel "like a tea kettle," (by which I mean one of those whistling tea kettles when the water is almost boiling) or "like sunscreen in the pool" (when it spreads out over the surface in an oily slick, floating along but barely there). People seem to think this is weird, but how else are you supposed to describe it?

what you said about transferring thoughts into human language, that sounds kind of like what I do. i'm a visual thinker so I have to translate my thoughts into words before I can express them. Is that what you mean?

 

[epath13]

I also often describe my feelings using symbols/metaphors, particularly when "fine, thanks" doesnt cut it. For example, I might say I feel "like a tea kettle," (by which I mean one of those whistling tea kettles when the water is almost boiling) or "like sunscreen in the pool" (when it spreads out over the surface in an oily slick, floating along but barely there). People seem to think this is weird, but how else are you supposed to describe it?

what you said about transferring thoughts into human language, that sounds kind of like what I do. i'm a visual thinker so I have to translate my thoughts into words before I can express them. Is that what you mean?

Yes, pretty much so. I have to "translate" my thoughts into words, even though I'm not always sure if I use the right words and don't create even more confusion.

 

[nicholaspoetry]

Yes, pretty much so. I have to "translate" my thoughts into words, even though I'm not always sure if I use the right words and don't create even more confusion.

I relate to your symbolic language. I started a blog today, because I felt the need to express my symbols through poetry. Just write and write and write nicholas poetry | i am nicholas, and i like to find connections through poetics. watch me grow more simple.

Nicholas Boucher

 

[gregmcph]

I don't know if I do it, but I kind of like it.

Finding shortcut metaphors do describe your emotions, moods, attitude.

 

[epath13]

I relate to your symbolic language. I started a blog today, because I felt the need to express my symbols through poetry. Just write and write and write nicholas poetry | i am nicholas, and i like to find connections through poetics. watch me grow more simple.

Nicholas Boucher

Beautiful.
I used to love symbolism and surrealistic poetry but then I decided that I wanted to be understood more than anything else... But what you write is great, I love it. And... To be honest, even though my writing is much easier to digest nowadays, the understanding still will differ from person to person. So what I've decided to do is to give people freedom of interpretation but not too much freedom you name also matches your poetry pretty well. Is it your real name?

 

[nicholaspoetry]

Beautiful.
I used to love symbolism and surrealistic poetry but then I decided that I wanted to be understood more than anything else... But what you write is great, I love it. And... To be honest, even though my writing is much easier to digest nowadays, the understanding still will differ from person to person. So what I've decided to do is to give people freedom of interpretation but not too much freedom you name also matches your poetry pretty well. Is it your real name?

It is, in fact, my true name. Is there an outlet where I can sample your writing?

Nicholas

Also, what music do you prefer? Aspies vary so widely, but I started a music blog, as well. Feel free to contribute (or share your own).

Lead&Jelly | collective musics

A number of Aspies are on twitter- find #srsgp lots of great blogs for aspies/families.

 

[nicholaspoetry]

I am unsure if I replied correctly. Thank you for your kind feedback. I am not at all concerned with others finding direct meaning, moreso direction of text. Not every piece of writing needs to be perfect, or even move forward or climax.. I wander, and so does the writing. Where may I see your writing?

 

[epath13]

I am unsure if I replied correctly. Thank you for your kind feedback. I am not at all concerned with others finding direct meaning, moreso direction of text. Not every piece of writing needs to be perfect, or even move forward or climax.. I wander, and so does the writing. Where may I see your writing?

You have a very nice name for a writer I'll check the music out when I have a little bit more time. And thanks for the twitter suggestion!!! I'll check it out. Need to put it on my list
well... as for writing... I write songs... as well as I can... I recently and finally started coming back from a long sleep. I play with recording a little but I do need to work on my voice and guitar skills... as for arrangement skills... eh, well, it'll come I did finish my 1st book. I am planning to edit it this summer with help of some knowledgeable people , get illustrations ready and hopefully publish it next year. It is for children 9-10 and older, but it is not exactly a regular children's book. My plans are: write 4-5 book in this series and the book will grow with the reader. I have a complete story in my mind (and some parts are written). I might start writing 2nd book this year already... well... you know what... just for you I will "sample one of my songs - "poems" that I have sent to some poetry competition. I haven't won but I got some recognition. Don't ask me what it was, I don't remember I'll post a link when I'm finished posting it
as for the music, you can check it out on my YouTube channel (it's in featured videos, just a few quick recordings that I made, couldn't help myself )

 

[epath13]

I've decided to write something else... just a short sketch

A short sketch about hypersensitive child and... | soulbattles.com

 

[ptogrph17]

I have thought about this kind of thing before. In my own mind I sometimes notice that there are different layers to my thoughts. Generally there is a non-verbal upper layer that is visual/symbolic, then there is a verbal layer that is like a translation of the original thought, then sometimes there is a "subvocalization" layer -- which is when you have a verbal thought that causes your vocal cords to move. The non-verbal thoughts are much faster then the verbal ones, but they're more that just images, they have a kind of essence to them -- not verbal or visual sometimes just a concept.

I think that the visual/non-verbal thoughts are from your right brain and the verbal ones are left brained. Not only is the right brain responsible for creative/visual thoughts/functions and the left brain responsible for logical/verbal thoughts/functions, I read in a holistic hypnotherapy book that my mom has that the conscious mind is a left brain function and subconscious in a right brain thing. If I remember correctly it was aether>unconscious>subconscious>conscious (Right/Left brian), that's just a theory though, but it's interesting and it makes sense to me. Like I said earlier sometimes it seems like thoughts trickle down though different layers or forms. And it said that the unconscious mind holds memory and behaviors -- I think. Also I remember reading somewhere about the subconscious mind going though thousands of thoughts at the same time, so it makes sense that some or all conscious thoughts could more from there and that they would be visual.

That's just sometimes though, I have thoughts that are only visual, especially when I'm doing something that's visually oriented -- and sometimes I have thoughts that are just verbal. However something that happens to me a lot is when I'm talking it seems like my thoughts are going faster than I can speak and than the words get messed up and/or I have a hard time translating my thoughts into words. I think that I'm a visually oriented person because of a lot of the things I have brought up here.

Anyway, this is all basically a generalization and it would take a lot of self analysis and writing to give a more accurate picture of how my mind works. And I'm sure some people will think my theory/viewpoint is weird, but I don't really care.

 

[epath13]

I have thought about this kind of thing before. In my own mind I sometimes notice that there are different layers to my thoughts. Generally there is a non-verbal upper layer that is visual/symbolic, then there is a verbal layer that is like a translation of the original thought, then sometimes there is a "subvocalization" layer -- which is when you have a verbal thought that causes your vocal cords to move. The non-verbal thoughts are much faster then the verbal ones, but they're more that just images, they have a kind of essence to them -- not verbal or visual sometimes just a concept.

I think that the visual/non-verbal thoughts are from your right brain and the verbal ones are left brained. Not only is the right brain responsible for creative/visual thoughts/functions and the left brain responsible for logical/verbal thoughts/functions, I read in a holistic hypnotherapy book that my mom has that the conscious mind is a left brain function and subconscious in a right brain thing. If I remember correctly it was aether>unconscious>subconscious>conscious (Right/Left brian), that's just a theory though, but it's interesting and it makes sense to me. Like I said earlier sometimes it seems like thoughts trickle down though different layers or forms. And it said that the unconscious mind holds memory and behaviors -- I think. Also I remember reading somewhere about the subconscious mind going though thousands of thoughts at the same time, so it makes sense that some or all conscious thoughts could more from there and that they would be visual.

That's just sometimes though, I have thoughts that are only visual, especially when I'm doing something that's visually oriented -- and sometimes I have thoughts that are just verbal. However something that happens to me a lot is when I'm talking it seems like my thoughts are going faster than I can speak and than the words get messed up and/or I have a hard time translating my thoughts into words. I think that I'm a visually oriented person because of a lot of the things I have brought up here.

Anyway, this is all basically a generalization and it would take a lot of self analysis and writing to give a more accurate picture of how my mind works. And I'm sure some people will think my theory/viewpoint is weird, but I don't really care.

What you are saying sounds very similar to what I experience

 

[nicholaspoetry]

What you are saying sounds very similar to what I experience

And I!

epath13 - what great writing! I look forward to seeing more of your work!

 

[_Josh_]

This is similar to how I often express myself and also often attempt to explain things. I have always used the term "analogous thinking". I use analogies to explain things all the time. I find they are of great use, and really helpful in simplifying what I'm trying to explain.

 

[epath13]

here's more of my work

NIKOXXII

 

[Explosition_Rooster]

Yeah I just always thought of things in a... picture book sense? That doesn't sound right, but I'm having a hard time explaining just how I think, even here.

Okay, so it's like I compare things and use symbols to explain just what I'm thinking and to help explain my thoughts out to people. It doesn't always make sense, to be honest, but it does help explain my thinking to everyone, including me.

 

[Kupu2]

Yup. Analogy queen here. I usually end up paraphrasing others in analogies I relate to and ask if that is what they meant. Probably irks people, but it is how I think. Especially feelings, emotions etc and abstract concepts like electrical flow.