Therapeutic Pareidolia™
Therapeutic Pareidolia™ is a multi-sensory cognitive tool generated by the introduction of pareidolia with multiple multi-sensory responses that can be integrated into therapeutic, educational, emotional and creative applications.
Grants
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine — analyzing the neurological impact on the brain of primates when recognizing pareidolia images.
- Johns Hopkins Center for Neuro Esthetics International Mind & Brain Lab — conducted worldwide research on medical uses of pareidolia.
- Johns Hopkins Division of Public Health and Rehabilitation — is developing therapeutic program for hospitalized patients.
- Kennedy Krieger Institute — is exploring responses for ADHD youngsters' when made aware of this instinct.
- Thread Organization — is introducing pareidolia in summer programs and school activities.
Case Studies
A pareidolia experience shared by Daniel M (xxx), Threadstudent of 7 years
"I like to spend time in nature meditating, drawing, reading, and even sometimes just doing nothing other than listening to nature. In times of distress, I always feel called to go outside, and I always know the reason why. I am always grounded once I return into the real world. Nature gives me peace. It gives me clarity... magic. Each time I go it's always a different experience. Teaching me a lesson in some 'shape" 'way" and or 'form" 😉.
A week or two ago, Helene [Kahn] introduced me to the word 'pareidolia' as she knew I loved to spend time in nature after I had shown her some of my drawings. A wave of excitement washed over my body because I never knew there was a word for it. It gave me a better understanding of who I am, with a word. A few days after being introduced to 'pareidolia", I was traveling to work and I saw cracks in the ground. I instantly saw a heart, and in another a butterfly. Helene & pareidolia were the first things to come to mind. I had to share the moment with her, so I took pictures.
Being introduced to this new word has not only expanded my vocabulary but helped me understand myself in a deeper way. To know this ability has a name gives me clarity and gratitude for this special gift."
A computer repairman shared the Blink to See book with his hyper-active ADHD 10-year-old daughter.
She consumed the information and on their next day's traditional walk in the woods, he reported: "she never stopped searching and finding images… And I have never seen her so relaxed.".
Other notable cases:
- Roland Park Place
- Residents with dementia triggered childhood tunes and memories.
- College Campuses
- Students inspired to capture photographs while touring campus
- Edenwald Senior Assisted Living
- Audiences prompted to write captions of pareidolia display.
- Irvine Nature Center
- Provided guided tours to enhance hikes while experiencing alternatives images.
- Itineris Baltimore
- Stimulated autistic adults with artistic applications on duplicated photographs.
- Cylburn Nature Center
- 10-year-old campers composed two-page compositions after experiencing pareidolia.
- Baltimore Lab Schools
- Inspired curriculum writers to introduce pareidolia in five different classes.