Published on 12, July, 2020
I've not Googlerated this so I'm starting from quite a low point of knowledge.
I know that we can tend to have very good memory in certain areas and I know about the autistic savant.
So, what do you know about how our memories work and why?
Mainly though, what is your memory like?
What do you remember and what do you not so well?
I have an autistic friend and he can quote back to me the day of the week, date and year a lot of events happened - small events, things like the day we went on a day trip somewhere over the whole of his life - he's 63.
I don't have that kind of gift but I have realised in recent times that my memory is quite unusual.
I do remember being in the pram and then the pushchair.
However, what I remember really well is places, events in my life and people and the things that people say, going back all 6 decades.
I can mentally walk through every room of the places I've lived in during my life and even where the furniture is.
How about you?
When I read this I thought, no wonder it can take a while to fall asleep.
I too remember adverts probably from 40 & 50 years ago but part of that may be because they used catchy slogans/tunes. Not sure that is the case today, in fact it often takes a few viewings before I get the point.
I have a very good memory, but mostly for things that are absolutely useless. I can't always remember names but I can remember adverts and TV theme tunes from 30 years ago.
It does make me a handy person to have on your pub quiz team though!
I have a relatively decent memory and can visualise things pretty easily.
That's a good idea. In Word you can increase the font size as well did you know?
I think it's preset to 11 or used to be but it can be changed higher to make it bigger.
L said:I hope your headache goes after your painkillers and coffee
Thank you.
I'm going to try to copy and paste the article into a Word doc + then print.
I find that easier on my eyes.
Wishing you and everyone reading a goodly day.
So, from the study that L has posted a link to, this is pertinent.
More coffee and painkillers before reading any more:
'Concordantly, according to the intense world theory by Markram and Markram (21), individuals with autism perceive the world more intensely than non-autistic individuals, due to overactive brain circuitry. The authors propose that a hyperactivation in these brain circuitries could account for hyper-perception, hyper-attention, hyper-emotionality, and even hyper-memory in autism. Hence, there seems to be a contradiction between the findings of experimental studies asking mainly for specific memories and free reports of autobiographical memories in autism. From this perspective, it seems possible that people with autism even have improved personal autobiographical memories in free recall or with regard to (sensory) details.'
I hope your headache goes after your painkillers and coffee x
I haven't drank yet this morning I'll get a drink in a second.
Enjoy the article. It's an intriguing read.
L said:It also mentions how the memories can have sensory detail' which I know resonates with others, myself included.
Painkillers, coffee and then the article
That will be very interesting indeed I reckon.
Yes, me too.
This is on an article I was just reading about autism and memory recall.
"Interestingly and contrariwise to the mentioned experimental studies, some individuals with high-functioning autism seem to be able to recall personal events from a very young age [e.g., Ref. (11–13)]; and moreover, these memories are rich in sensory detail'
It also mentions how the memories can have sensory detail' which I know resonates with others, myself included.
This is the page
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4852178/
In case anyone wants to read through it. There is a lot of text to read so bear that in mind.
A lot of food for thought though.
Unaided by my headache, I've just been online and am struggling to find a pithy article on the relationship between autism and memory and why/how our memory differs.
I'm not terribly good at concentrating on anything very wordy.
So, if anyone has any knowledge to share or articles to link to, I'd be appreciative.
It's nice knowing someone else experiences this as well. Not that I like the idea of someone else experiencing bad memories but it's nice knowing I'm not alone in this.
The autistic mind is an incredible thing. Remarkable!
It’s truly wonderful to hear somebody else validating this experience
For me it’s a complete sensory experience - replay of every sense, mood etc.
'Highly superior autobiographical memory':
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/feb/08/total-recall-the-people-who-never-forget
I completely agree with this.
I find that remembering past pain and what caused it (emotional mainly) is something I'd rather not have.
Same. Yes not a pleasant thing to experience.
I'm the same with this. It's the same when I'm sick, I remember the other times I was sick or when my mum was sick when she was ill.
I get flashbacks as well with this.
My memory is very vivid it's almost like a video replaying.
I've always believed that I remember things that I experience the most intensely, long before my diagnosis.
Armed with the knowledge that I'm autistic, and that in fact because of sensitivities we presumably do actually experience life with more intensity, I assume this is the/a connection?
Amerantin (former member) said:But the result of this is that when I have a cold I get very vivid recall of all the other times I’ve had a cold, all the way back to childhood.
So, the new cold acts like a trigger to memories of past ones perhaps?
Interesting.
I don't believe I share this.
et I can remember these intricate details from meeting people, what they said, what they were wearing from 20+ years back. Completely useless details to remember in modern life. But there we go. It's a gift!! (maybe)
Indeed.
It's so interesting to find these points of connection between us.