Title: Islands of genius : the bountiful mind of the autistic, acquired, and sudden savant /
Authors: Treffert, Darold A.; Tammet, Daniel, 1979-
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley,
Year: 2010
Subjects: Savants (Savant syndrome); Savant syndrome.; Autistic Disorder; Aptitude
Abstract: Savant syndrome is a rare condition in which individuals with developmental disorders have one or more areas of expertise, ability, or brilliance -- "islands of genius" -- that exist in contrast with their overall limitations. In this fascinating book, Dr. Darold Treffert explores recently-discovered phenomena such as "genetic memory," the capacity of some individuals to "know" things they never learned, and "acquired savantism," instances in which a neuro-typical person unexpectedly and spectacularly develops savant-like abilities following a trauma such as a head injury or stroke. Above all, his message is that prodigy and genius should be celebrated and nurtured. This book is for clinicians, parents, teachers, therapists, and others who care for, and about, individuals with savant syndrome -- publisher description.
Contents: Sightseeing on an incredible journey -- The mind of the savant -- What we do know: a rare but remarkable condition -- How do they do it? Some earlier theories from heredity to quantum theory -- How do they do it? more recent findings: the three "R's": rewiring, recruitment, release -- Genetic memory: how do we know things we never learned? -- More medical mysteries: calendars, cantors, foreign accents and hypermnesia -- The world of the savant -- The genius of Earlswood Asylum and Blind Tom: some early savants -- Leslie and May: "two memorable people" / with a contribution by Shirlee Monty -- Alonzo: "God gives the gift" -- George: "It's fantastic I can do that!" -- Kim: "The real Rain Man" -- Ellen: "With a song in her heart" -- Tony: "Against all odds," magna cum laude from Berklee -- Temple: "An emergence extraordinaire" -- Matt: "The key of genius" -- Flo and Kay: an unforgettable "two of a kind" -- Daniel: "Numbers are my friends" -- Stephen: "A rocket of young talent" -- Ping Lian, Gregory, Richard, George, Jonathan and some others: artwork of the prodigious savant -- Significant new dimensions to savant syndrome -- "Accidental genius:" the acquired savant -- "Sudden genius:" an epiphany of talent -- "Normal genius:" dormant skills within us all? -- Accessing the "inner savant" within us all -- The bountiful brain: half a brain (or less) may be enough -- Training the talent: "I've got a son or daughter who ..." -- Teaching music to the special needs client: a music therapist's approach / Susan Rancer -- "Training the talent" in art and other skills: an educator's approach / Rosa C. Martinez -- Teaching autistic numerical savants: a specific approach that worked / Peter Lewis -- Our journey has just begun -- New tools and new optimism: the trail ahead for the mind of the savant -- Oval souls on a round planet: the trail ahead for the world of the savant.