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 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 artist Thristan Mendoza, Filipino marimba prodigy Gottfried Mind, Swiss artist known as the "Raphael of Cats" Derek Paravicini, blind British musician Anthony Torrone, American Christian writer Gilles Tréhin, artist, author James Henry Pullen, gifted British carpenter Matt Savage, American autistic jazz prodigy 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 twins 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 artist 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 .