Savant syndrome

The savant syndrome is a rare condition in which people with neurodevelopmental disorders, notably autism spectrum disorders, and/or brain injuries, demonstrate profound and prodigious capacities and/or abilities far in excess of what would be considered normal. 

In spite of the name syndrome, it is not recognized as a mental disorder, or as a part of mental disorder. 

In simple terms, there are probably fewer than fifty holders of the condition, alive today.

Characteristics

These individuals in some cases may not be able to tie their shoes, however they may memorize an entire book in days. 

Notable savants

The following are well-known people with savant syndrome, noted for their talent in their identified fields: 

 Wesley Willis, American musician, savant levels of visual recall.
 Kim Peek, mnemonist, speed reader and calculator, although not autisticWeber B (26 December 2009). "Kim Peek, inspiration for 'Rain Man,' dies at 58". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
 Mark Boerebach, Australian internet Disk jockey, subject of the documentary Rainman goes to Rockwiz
 Alonzo Clemons, American clay sculptor
 Tony DeBlois, blind American musician
 Leslie Lemke, blind American musician
 Jonathan Lerman, American artistJonathan Lerman:


 Thristan Mendoza, Filipino marimba prodigy
 Gottfried Mind, Swiss artist known as the "Raphael of Cats"
 Derek Paravicini, blind British musicianDerek Paravicini:


 Anthony Torrone, American Christian writer
 Gilles Tréhin, artist, author
 James Henry Pullen, gifted British carpenterJames Henry Pullen:
Ward, O. Conor. "The Childhood and the Life of James Henry Pullen, the Victorian Idiot Savant (1832–1916)", Abstract of article cited at adc.bmjjournals.com Retrieved on 14 June 2006.
 Matt Savage, American autistic jazz prodigy"Matt Savage: The Prodigy", People magazine June 17, 2002
 Henriett Seth F., Hungarian autistic savant, poet, writer, and artist
 Stephen Wiltshire, British architectural artist
 Richard Wawro, British artist
 George and Charles Finn, calendar calculator twinsHorwitz, et al., 1965Sacks, Oliver, 1985
 Florence 'Flo' and Katherine 'Kay' Lyman, calendar calculator twins. Featured in a documentary produced by TV network TLC entitled Twin Savants: Flo & Kay
 Jason D. Padgett, American mathematical artistFederal Way Man Has Amazing Mathematical Drawing Ability, Following Brain Injury: – KCPQ . Q13fox.com (2010-08-26). Retrieved on 2011-12-18.
 Daniel Tammet, British author.
 Rex Lewis-Clack, blind American pianist.
 Blind Tom Wiggins, blind African American pianist.
 Orlando Serrell, sudden savant, calendrical calculation, mnemonist, featured on English version of Expedition ins Gehirn.

References

Other websites

 The Wisconsin Medical Society lists 29 savant profiles .

Category:Syndromes
Category:Giftedness