The very rare and remarkable coexistence of ‘islands’ of extraordinary abilities with disabilities in a person suffering from neurological conditions like autism spectrum disorder is called savant syndrome. Such a person is called a savant. About one in ten autistic individuals is a savant, although non-autistic savants have also been reported. This condition just like many other neurodevelopment conditions is more common among males than females. A savant may show marvelous abilities in field of-
Music, arts, mathematics, spatial and mechanical skills, calendar calculation, command over multiple languages, exceptional knowledge of specific subjects (statistics, navigation) and excellent memory which is main characteristic of this syndrome. They have been categorized based on skills-
Splinter savants – obsessive pre-occupation with memorizing random things- number plates, history facts, maps, sports trivia etc.
Talented savant- superior musical, artistic, or mathematical skills
Prodigious savants- very rare,with special outstanding skills of world class level
The syndrome is very rare and congenital except in very few cases of acquired savant syndrome in individuals suffering from some neurological dysfunction due to injury or disease progression. Damage to certain regions of brain might activate hidden capabilities.
The very specific cause of syndrome have not been pin pointed yet. Although there are multiple speculations like hyperconnectivity of both sides of brain, right brain compensate for damage in left brain.
Some famous people with savant syndrome are-
Kim Peek- had exceptional memory, could read one page with left eye and other with right, excellent navigation and calendar calculation skills and could play Piano
Leslie Lemke- pianist with excellent memory, could learn any music piece after hearing once, composes music and plays piano flawlessly
Derek Paravicini- perfect pitch with savant piano skills
Daniel Tammet- syesthete, polyglot, maths prodigy
Stephen wiltshire – photographic memory with capability of detailed reproduction in drawing
Savants have inspired multiple movies, have seen any such?
MBH/PS