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Visual processing?

Ornithaur

Hey Wave 

For as long as I can remember, if need to find something or asked to look for something, I will try my hardest but can't see it, even If it's right in front of me. 

For example, I couldn't find my dogs lead yesterday (it wasn't in the usual spot). I looked EVERYWHERE, moved things, looked under things. Nothing. 

Then my partner comes over and finds it straight away, exactly where id been looking. 

I thought it was because I just wasn't paying attention or something. But the more I think about it, I am paying a lot of attention in those moments.. I'll be looking at it (we'll im sure i am, I just don't recall seeing it) but I cant process it. It usually happens when there's lots of other things out, line on a shop aisle. 

I'm beginning to think it's issues with visual processing. Anyone else get this?

  • in reply to Ornithaur

    Yes! Exactly! Haha!

  • in reply to Evi

    Haha yes!! Why did they make it so hard to find anything? Also fully get the looking at us like an alien lol

    I'm constantly running back and forth down the aisles thinking "maybe its on the next aisle?" - nope! It was where I was already looking.

  • in reply to Ornithaur

    Oh! You've just described my experience every time I go shopping Shopping cart to a supermarket. There was one time when I asked someone from the staff to help me find something, and he was like: "Here it is!" (just next to me where I was standing) looking at me as if I was an alien. Hahaha! 

  • in reply to Evi

    I also have ADHD, maybe its a wonderful combination of working memory, attention, sensory and processing issues? Sweat smile it's so annoying isn't it?

    I remember i briefly worked in a small shop (years ago now - did not work out) and I'd be asked to get something for a customer from an aisle / specific section. I'd go, and I'd be there for like 15 minutes completely unable to see it. There was just so much stuff on the aisle, I'd see everything else but what I was trying to find. I used to get in a lot of trouble for it lol.

  • It happens to me ALL THE TIME! I think (in my case) it might be an ADHD thing. And more specifically, I think it's caused by my impaired working memory. 

  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    Most people I know can see things in front of them. I guess it might happen to people sometimes. Though it's a constant to me. And not necessarily that it's an ASC thing, but a visual processing thing. 

    I guess the same way most people find some clothing tags irritating but autistic people and people with sensory processing differences may experience that to a different degree.

  • Dosen't everybody do that? Can't see for looking was quite a common phrase when I was a child, I don't think it's an ASC thing.

  • You might find this article helpful in exploring some potential explanations for these kinds of difficulties - and perhaps as a useful basis for discussing it with your GP, if it's something you'd like to get help with.

    It discusses types of visual agnosia / visual blindness that can be a co-occurring condition in some autistic people, including simultagnosia (also known as object blindness):

    NAS (professional practice) - Visual perception in autism

    Ways in which autistic people can experience visual sensory differences are also discussed here:

    NAS - Sensory differences - a guide for all audiences