Visual/Spatial Thinkers

Many people labeled ADD may be visual/spatial thinkers, as were some of the most important scientists and artists of history. Along with visual thinking are other traits associated with so-called right-brain thinking such as:

• intuitive and holistic (bad with details)
• good puzzle-solving abilities
• prefers abstract reasoning & concepts over the simple stuff
• strong visual memories compared to verbal memories
• poor handwriting or generally uncoordinated
• relative difficulties with reading, listening or writing (compared with spatial skills)
• sequential thinking may be stressful (math concepts are easier than arithmetic)
• disorganization
• creativity

The concept of the visual/spatial thinker was advanced by Linda Silverman Ph.D. of the Gifted Development Center. They have a website that lists some of the traits and problems associated with visual/spatial thinkers.

In extreme cases visual thinkers may be very dyslexic, can't tell left from right, and may have incredible spatial abilities.  As children, visual thinkers may have difficulties in school, although smart, moderately visual people may do fine.  The book "Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World: Unlocking the Potential of Your ADD Child" is written by a teacher of ADD children who has found methods to help the visual thinker.    I found the book full of great teaching tips, as have other parents.

In his book "In The Mind's Eye: Visual Thinkers, Gifted People With Dyslexia and Other Learning Difficulties, Computer Images and the Ironies of Creativity", Thomas G. West argues that visual thinking is much better at picking up patterns and concepts out of apparent chaos and is in some ways superior to verbal thinking.  He profiles people like Einstein, Edison, Faraday and Yeats who had vivid visual modes of thought.  This is a great book for anyone who is a visual thinker and would like to ponder the big picture.

All BTE pages were written by Teresa Gallagher unless otherwise noted and may be photocopied (but not reprinted) without permission.  BTE Web Design now creates websites for small businesses. Perhap "BTE" really means "Born to Entrepreneur..."