Abstract

Idiot-savants are people of low intelligence who have one or two outstanding talents such as calendar calculation, drawing, or musical performance. The syndrome occurs with high frequency among autistic children (autism is about four times commoner in boys), and the male to female ratio is about 6:1 suggesting a sex linked disorder (Hill, 1977). It is estimated to occur in 0.06% of the mentally handicapped population or about 1 in 2,000 of those living in institutions (Treffert, 1988). The gift starts apparently spontaneously between age 5 and 8 years. Frequently the parents claim that they themselves do not have the talent and know of no one in the family who has, but there is a tendency for savant skills to run in families, suggesting that genetic factors play a role.

Highlights

  • The syndrome was first described by Langdon Down in 1887 but Tredgold (1914) wrote the first definitive account of the condition

  • The skills can appear suddenly and likewise disappear without explanation. Regardless of their particular ability, savants all have in common a phenomenal memory

  • Calculators are capable of remarkable feats of mental arithmetic, including the multiplication of three-figure numbers in a few seconds, the rapid calculation of square roots, and the description of a geometric series to 64 places (Hermelin & O'Connor, 1983)

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Summary

Introduction

The syndrome was first described by Langdon Down in 1887 but Tredgold (1914) wrote the first definitive account of the condition. Regardless of their particular ability, savants all have in common a phenomenal memory. Calendar calculators and savants with mathematical ability and exceptional mnemonic skills are the most frequent; musicians are rare.

Results
Conclusion

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