INTP - I am aphantasic and have SDAM
Dear Kait, I am a software developer, but after thinking about your experience, I think we have quite a few similarities. I have Aphantasia, SDAM and ASD (Autism). When I create software I model the problem space. If something exists in the problem space, I create a class that attempts to represent that thing in the code base. This is called OOP (Object Oriented Programming). It is an iterative process. I never know how the classes will eventually end up looking like. I typically just create something just to start, but over time, I know that the classes that I create may be modified, or they may be split up into two, or they might get absorbed into another class. I look at programming as an effort to hit the bullseye in the target. My first n attempts typically are way off, but as I learn more about the problem space, I slowly move closer to the bullseye, until eventually, I "know" that it is correct. This process is certainly not fast. It is quite a bit slower than how a neuro-typical would develop the code base. I need time to get a general picture of the problem space. I typically need to ask a lot of questions and do a lot of research before I feel comfortable beginning the coding process. Although the process is slower than the typical process, the resulting code is usually much much better in quality. It is typically bug free, easy to extend, and is easy to re-use. I imagine it is probably the same for you. Even though it takes longer for you to draw, I am sure that the result is probably much more accurate, clearer and easier to perceive. Would love to connect. Sincerely, Patrick.