What is Savant syndrome?

Savants syndrome is a composition of extreme autism disorder and profound capabilities or abilities beyond Normal. The cause of the syndrome is neurodevelopment disorder, autism disorder or brain injuries.

Characteristics:

Savant syndrome patients have an extraordinary storage of memory and are right brain dominant. The major areas in which Savant Skills are found are art, music , calculations and mathematics. Skills may be found individually or a combination of many, they may appear as suddenly as they can disappear.Hence they are categorized as the following:

• Splinter Savant : Skills that are usually opposite to their overall level of functioning.

• Talented Savants: A complete contrast of the patient’ ability and disability.

• Prodogious Savant: This is one step ahead of Talented Savant where the patient’s skills show an extreme contrast in the ability and disability but also outperforms the skills possessed by a healthy mind.

Mechanics of the Savant Syndrome 

This combination of talent and disorder has been poorly understood. Most researches claim that a damage in the left hemisphere of the brain causes a compensatory damage in the right hemisphere of the brain.

Some spectacular qualities include :

• Memorization: Limitless  information can be memorized
• Lightening Calculations: Swift and accurate ability to calculate
• Calendar or Date Calculations:Accurate calculation of date, day in any given year or time.
• Musical Ability:Using their tremendous memory they can re-play a track after hearing it once.
• Artistic Ability: Expression of exceptional skills in sculpting, drawing or painting.
• Language Ability: The ability to read, write and translate 15-20 languages.

According to estimates it is believed that one in ten people with autism have savant skills in varying degree. Its occurance is found in male six times more than in female.

The Savant Syndrome is a rare condition which can allow the patients to go in extremely opposite directions. The early identification of the strengths and weakness should be channeled in the right direction to allow a fulfilling life. Some parents may be misguided as the weaknesses tend to overshadow the strength. The remedy for this condition is to improve communication and encourage the patient to learn.