서번트 증후군을 지닌 자폐스펙트럼장애인에 대한 소아청소년정신의학 전문가의 경험과 인식

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore pediatric psychiatrists’ experiences of working with individuals with ASD and savant syndrome. It identifies ways to support such individuals based on these experiences. For this purpose, in-depth interviews were conducted with seven pediatric psychiatrists with more than ten years of clinical experience in treating students with ASD. The interviews were analyzed using continuous comparative analysis. Seven core themes, 24 subthemes, and 54 thematic units were derived. The key themes that emerged were: 1) referrals; 2) ASD and savant syndrome encountered in the clinic being a spectrum; 3) savant syndrome being a concept that requires the understanding of all; 4) the notion of being savant as indicating that one possess abilities as a strength and a blessing; 5) talent that grows through immersion, or special challenges caused by immersion; 6) the time before special talents become special abilities; and 7) how to support students with ASD or savant syndrome. Based on the results, we discuss possible ways to cooperate with professionals of various fields to support students with ASD and savant syndrome, and ways to support students with savant syndrome in the future.