Information for parents

What is aphantasia?

Most people can create pictures in their minds eye, for example of an apple, or a friend’s face, but some people find this very hard, or even impossible. It is this latter group of people that have aphantasia.

What to do if your child has aphantasia?

Most people with aphantasia have it without even knowing about it, and therefore find it completely unobtrusive. May people with aphantasia feel that having mental images sounds inefficient and they have no need for them. But some people may feel like they are missing out. Below are some suggestions for parents you might find helpful.

1. 1.
   Educate the educators Most parents who contact the University of Sussex are simply looking for information, and for teachers to understand what aphantasia is. Some children with aphantasia may not understand or think that certain phrases (like picture it in your mind) are purely metaphorical.
2. 2.
   Understand your child's experiences It might be confusing for parent’s to learn that their children don’t think with any images in their mind, but research shows us that aphantasia is not a negative thing, and in many cases aphantasia can have protective effects (for example from worry). The best thing is to have a conversation with your child about the way that they think so you can best support them.
3. 3.
   Assess yourself Not much is yet known about the heritability of aphantasia, but we do know that it seems to run in families suggesting a genetic link. So it might be that yourself or another member of your family think in a similar way to your child. You can assess yourself on this page.
4. 4.
   Encourage the benefits There are some benefits associated with aphantasia, such as protective effects from worry and sensory overwhelm. This is based on adult research and at a population level, so not everyone with aphantasia will feel the same way. There is also a tendency for people with aphantasia to be more likely to end up in scientific fields, so this is a perfect opportunity to get your child into STEM!
5. 5.
   Foster a community There are a lot of communities online you can join to find like-minded individuals who have the same experiences as your child!