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 these are very gifted individuals with fewer than 50 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 autistic[1]
  • Mark Boerebach, Australian internet Disk jockey, subject of the documentary Rainman goes to Rockwiz
  • Alonzo Clemons, American clay sculptor[2]
  • Tony DeBlois, blind American musician[3]
  • Leslie Lemke, blind American musician[4]
  • Jonathan Lerman, American artist[5]
  • Thristan Mendoza, Filipino marimba prodigy[6]
  • Gottfried Mind, Swiss artist known as the "Raphael of Cats"
  • Derek Paravicini, blind British musician[7]
  • Anthony Torrone, American Christian writer[8][9]
  • Gilles Tréhin, artist, author[10]
  • James Henry Pullen, gifted British carpenter[11]
  • Matt Savage, American autistic jazz prodigy[12][13]
  • Henriett Seth F., Hungarian autistic savant, poet, writer, and artist[14]
  • Stephen Wiltshire, British architectural artist[15]
  • Richard Wawro, British artist[4]
  • George and Charles Finn, calendar calculator twins[16][17]
  • Florence 'Flo' and Katherine 'Kay' Lyman, calendar calculator twins. Featured in a documentary produced by TV network TLC entitled Twin Savants: Flo & Kay[18]
  • Jason D. Padgett, American mathematical artist[19][20]
  • Daniel Tammet, British author.[21]
  • 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

  1. ↑ Weber B (26 December 2009). "Kim Peek, inspiration for 'Rain Man,' dies at 58". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  2. ↑ Treffert, Darold. "Alonzo Clemons – Genius Among Us". Wisconsin Medical Society. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  3. ↑ Treffert, Darold. "Tony DeBlois – A Prodigious Musical Savant". Wisconsin Medical Society. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Treffert, Darold A. and Gregory L. Wallace (2003). "Islands of Genius" (PDF). Scientific American, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-04. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  5. ↑ Jonathan Lerman:
  6. ↑ Treffert, Darold. "Thristan "Tum-Tum" Mendoza – A Child Prodigy Marimbist With Autism from the Philippines". Wisconsin Medical Society. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  7. ↑ Derek Paravicini:
  8. ↑ The Grand Rapids Press (26 November 2011). "'Anthony's Prayers': A simple book by Grand Rapids' Anthony Torrone, a grateful survivor". Mlive.com. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  9. ↑ Island, Staten (7 January 2012). "'My Lord Savior God helped me survive'". silive.com.
  10. ↑ Moore, Charlotte (15 April 2006). "Autistic couple bound to each other - and their art". Guardian.
  11. ↑ James Henry Pullen:
  12. ↑ "Matt Savage: The Prodigy", People magazine June 17, 2002
  13. ↑ Treffert, Darold. "Matt Savage – A 14-Year-Old Marvelous Musician". Wisconsin Medical Society. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  14. ↑ Treffert, Darold. "Henriett Seth F. – Rain Girl". Wisconsin Medical Society. Archived from the original on 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  15. ↑ "Unlocking the brain's potential". BBC News. 2001-03-10. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  16. ↑ Horwitz, et al., 1965
  17. ↑ Sacks, Oliver, 1985
  18. ↑ Tracey Eagan (2009-05-06). "Twin Savants Fixated on Dick Clark". Jezebel. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  19. ↑ Federal Way Man Has Amazing Mathematical Drawing Ability, Following Brain Injury: – KCPQ Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine. Q13fox.com (2010-08-26). Retrieved on 2011-12-18.
  20. ↑ "The Man Who Draws Pi.pdf". Google Docs.
  21. ↑ Lyall, Sarah (February 15, 2007). "Brainman, at Rest in His Oasis". New York Times.



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