Autism & Seeing
When I taught a 6-week photography class for special needs adults, I was reminded of this essay by Temple Grandin, in which she describes how it is common for autistic people to think through pictures, instead of words! She explains, "Because I have autism, I live by concrete rules instead of abstract beliefs. And because I have autism, I think in pictures and sounds...Here’s how my brain works: It’s like the search engine Google for images. If you say the word ‘love’ to me, I’ll surf the Internet inside my brain. Then, a series of images pops into my head.’” This way of seeing the world has become so uniquely precious to her, she wouldn't want to change it: "Some people might think if I could snap my fingers I’d choose to be ‘normal.’ But, I wouldn’t want to give up my ability to see in beautiful, precise pictures. I believe in them."
I love that she talks about the precision of beauty. This precision is exactly what a photographer is after. Recognizing beauty is one kind of delight, but to understand what makes it so takes it to a whole other level. For example, I might know that a photo (or song, or poem) is beautiful by my innate reaction to it, but to be able to understand and name the interplay of various elements that make it just so enrich my experience.
Certain brain-types have the propensity to perceive the subtle inner workings of different art forms. Another writer with autism, Julia Bascom, knows that being autistic can mean a lot of negative things, yet she says, "one of the best things it can mean is that I can so enraptured about things no one else understands and so wrapped up in my own joy that, not only does it not matter that no one else shares it, but it can become contagious." Giving specific examples, she goes on to say, "I pity anyone who doesn't understand how beautiful the multiples of seven are, anyone who doesn't get chills when a shadow falls just so across a solitaire game spread out on the table." Julia mentions such simple things-- yet, they are delightful enough to make life seem rich with beauty and harmony, amidst its messiness. And not just in the far-off, grand places, but potentially all around us.
Working with the adults in this class allowed me to see the world through their eyes. What hidden delights will they find in the common places? What simple lines, colors, shapes, textures, and forms will they perceive to be beautiful?
I don't know about you, but this capacity for experiencing such pure, simple pleasure is something I want more of--to be "so enraptured." This is what I chase when I go wandering with my camera, and, in sharing photos, what I hope to give others.
