title: Seeing What Others Cannot See: The Hidden Advantages of Visual Thinkers and Differently Wired Brains
author:  Thomas G. West 
description: For twenty-five years Thomas G. West has been a leader in the movement to highlight the value and beauty of minds that see the world in nontypical ways. In <i>Seeing What Others Cannot See</i>, he presents his strongest case yet for the importance of recognizing, educating, and utilizing nonverbal strengths, and their special value in our contemporary world. Recommended for anyone interested in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, innovation and creativity, technology, and education.<br /><br />Brock Eide, coauthor of <i>The Dyslexic Advantage</i> and <i>The Mislabeled Child</i><br /><br />People who think in pictures have contributed greatly to both scientific discovery and artistic expression. Thomas G. West carefully documents their abilities. Our education system needs to change from an emphasis on deficits to the development of a students strengths.<br /><br />Temple Grandin, author, <i>Thinking in Pictures </i>and<i> The Autistic Brain</i><br /> <br /> In this fascinating book, Thomas G. West revisits and interprets his earlier theories in the light of ongoing changes in society, highlighting the importance and awareness of positive aspects of dyslexiaby contrast with the traditional deficit approach. Here he extends his thinking to include a novel evaluation of Aspergers, drawing links between distinctive visual thinkers in both groups in a series of compelling case studies.West argues most persuasively for greater emphasis on the power of visual literacy and the need for new tools to evaluate these strengths throughout life, to meet the challenging demands of our modern environment.<br /><br />Angela Fawcett, PhD, former editor, <i>Dyslexia</i>, and coauthor, <i>Dyslexia, Learning, and the Brain</i> <br /><br />"West argues convincingly that dyslexics and related intellectuals seem to fail in elementary school learning while excelling at the broader level of graduate school. Many whose stories he recites were smashing successes in business. West urges that this is because of extra gifts in visual learning and thinking.He goes beyond praising dyslexics hidden strengths in visual thinking and learning, their ability to see what others cannot seehe demands that we stop hiding the imaginative strengths of all children under their weaknesses in reading.<br /> <br /> Donald Lindberg, MD, Director Emeritus, National Library of Medicine<br /><br />PRAISE FOR<i>IN THE MIND'S EYE</i>:<br /><br />"<i>In the Mind's Eye</i> brings out the special problems of people with dyslexia, but also their strengths, which are so often overlooked . . . . It stands alongside Howard Gardner's <i>Frames of Mind</i> as a testament to the range of human talent and possibility." --Oliver Sacks, M.D. <br /><br />"Thomas West brings to life the fascinating capacities and syndromes that arise from our visual-spatial imagination. His book proves beyond doubt that we are not all points on a single bell curve of intelligence." -- Howard Gardner<br /><br />"Every once in a while a book comes along that turns one's thinking upside down. <i>In the Mind's Eye</i> is just such a book." --<i>Roeper Review<br /></i><br />PRAISE FOR <i>THINKING LIKE EINSTEIN</i>:<br /><br />"A persuasive, provocative argument for the societal benefits of visual thinking. Recommended for all computer science collections." --<i>Library Journal </i><br /><br />"These are pathbreaking essays." --<i>Los Angeles Times</i><br /><br />"West does do a good job weaving a biological connection through much of the collection, and he makes a compelling case for the growing importance of visualization as a powerful agent of change....The book is very readable and will attract a wide audience--anyone interested in better understanding the importance of visualization and some of its history....Highly Recommended." --<i>Choice </i><br /><br />"An intriguing connection is made between such visually oriented folks as Einstein and learning disabilities such as dyslexia..." <br /><br /> --<i>Midwest Book Review's MBR Bookwatch</i>
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  Contents
  
  
  [Preface](fpref.xhtml)
  
  
  [Acknowledgments](flast.xhtml)
  
  
  [Introduction](intro.xhtml)
  
  
  [1 BRAIN POWER](c01.xhtml)
  
  
  [Myth #1 Most People Use Only 10% of Their Brain Power](c01.xhtml#head1)
  
  
  [Myth #2 Some People Are Left-Brained, Others Are Right-
  Brained](c01.xhtml#head2)
  
  
  [Myth #3 Extrasensory Perception (ESP) Is a Well-Established Scientific
  Phenomenon](c01.xhtml#head3)
  
  
  [Myth #4 Visual Perceptions Are Accompanied by Tiny Emissions from the
  Eyes](c01.xhtml#head4)
  
  
  [Myth #5 Subliminal Messages Can Persuade People to Purchase
  Products](c01.xhtml#head5)
  
  
  [2 FROM WOMB TO TOMB](c02.xhtml)
  
  
  [Myth #6 Playing Mozart’s Music to Infants Boosts Their
  Intelligence](c02.xhtml#head6)
  
  
  [Myth #7 Adolescence Is Inevitably a Time of Psychological
  Turmoil](c02.xhtml#head7)
  
  
  [Myth #8 Most People Experience a Midlife Crisis in | 8 Their 40s or Early
  50s](c02.xhtml#head8)
  
  
  [Myth #9 Old Age Is Typically Associated with Increased Dissatisfaction and
  Senility](c02.xh