Savant syndrome is an extremely rare condition, but it is one of the most fascinating developments in the brain discovered by scientists. People with savant syndrome have a very serious disability mentally or physically, like autism, although savant syndrome occurs in other developmental disabilities or central nervous system injury or disease, but they are able to gain a quite unexplainable and amazing talent that stands out in contrast to their disability. With these extraordinary abilities, it would be difficult for scientists to truly understand memory and cognition until they can understand savant syndrome.
Savant syndrome was first recognized by Dr. J. Langdon Down, who also originated the term Down syndrome, in 1887. The term idiot savant was first used to describe people with this condition. Idiot savant was French for “learned idiot” or “knowledgeable idiot” until it was felt inappropriate because not all reported cases of savants went well with the word “idiot”. Since then, savant syndrome has been the term adopted for these conditions.
The reason for why savant syndrome occurs is not yet completely understood, but the link that it has with autism would be important. There have been many theories that have been proposed but none of them had enough information and each theory had too many complications to be considered a correct theory. So at this very moment, there is no reasonable explanation of why savant syndrome occurs.
A low IQ is not a necessary accompaniment of savant syndrome. Even though most savants have a relatively low IQ it can vary from savant. A savant can have an IQ as high as 125 or possibly even higher which means that IQ level does not always release somebody from the possibility of h...
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...Although Kim has these incredible abilities he struggles with ordinary motor skills which lead him trouble walking.
Recent studies have increasingly shown that left hemisphere dysfunction with right hemisphere compensatory process is an important component in many cases involving savant syndrome including savants with autistic disorder. Savant syndrome can be established from birth or acquired after a brain injury or disease in infancy, childhood, or adulthood. Researchers find it very interesting when savant-like skills are gained by people who were previously nondisabled but acquired after a central nervous system injury or disease. With this in mind, it raises the possibility of all the hidden potential, possibly within all of us, in which a person could have and that could lead to a major discovery in the brain that scientists would use for the future.
Structure and function can not be separated from one another and changes in one indicate alterations in the other. Because an autistic person has brain defects, a reasonable assumption is made that changes in structure will alter the behavior. An autistic person is characterized by having impaired social interaction, difficulty with communication both verbal and nonverbal, trouble with imagination, and limited activities and interests. By analyzing the abnormal behaviors of the autistic person, the roles that the cerebellum, the corpus callosum, the amygdala, and the hippocampus play in the disease can be inferred.
People have a better understanding of a person with savant syndrome after the movie “Rain Man” in 1988 in which Raymond Babbitt (played by Destin Hoffman). There is a scene in the movie that Raymond tells the waitress her phone number, address, and other related information. Raymond memorized the entire phonebook and immediately recognized her by her name tag. Moreover, savant people beside their mental and physical disabilities have remarkable talent. Savant syndrome is one of the most interesting phenomenons in study of human differences and cognitive psychology. In1887, Dr. J. Langdon Down was first to recognized savant syndrome. He coined the term “Idiot Savant” _ meaning low intelligent and from French, savior, Knowing or Wise
An autistic savant, historically described as an idiot savant, is a person with both autism and savant syndrome. Savant syndrome describes a person having a developmental or mental handicap of some sort with extraordinary mental abilities not found in most people.
Autism savant is “individuals with autism who have extraordinary skills not exhibited by most people” In his case a rarity of high functional autism. Let’s analyzed the criteria for someone with autism. I will display the three criteria’s that are listed in the DSM-5 “Autism Spectrum Disorder” the first criteria is deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts. Meaning having the inability to communicate effectively with a variety of different individuals. At the custody scene the doctor asked Raymond a series of questions. The specific questions that the doctor kept asking Raymond was “Do you want to stay with your brother Charles?” Raymond was unable to make the distinction between staying with his brother or staying at the mental facility with Dr. Bruner. Raymond kept repeating the same question and rocking back and forth. Another instance is when Raymond was at the casino talking to a lady, but was unable to answer any of her questions with a direct response. As you can see he was unable to communicate effectively and engaged in a conversation beyond a few words such as “yeah, and I don’t
The savant abilities are grafted onto the basic autism or mental retardation, and savant syndrome exists as a special condition in either of those two disabilities.
The movie Rain Man enforces the belief that a majority of individuals that possess exceptional intellectual qualities are often overlooked because of a disability or a mask that hides their abilities. In the movie, Dustin Hofman, the director, introduces the viewers to the character of Raymond Rabbit, who is suffering from the autistic disorder. Raymond also suffers from Savant syndrome, a brain dysfunction that may degenerate to dementia. Rabbit exuded amazing memory in particular elements. However, he experienced communication disorders associated with autism, whereby he was unable of expressing himself in some instances. Thus, Rabbit would demonstrate memory for baseball statistics, ability to count cards, or the phonebook. However, his
This rare syndrome i'm talking about is recognized as the savant syndrome. It's a unique condition allowing the person to have an intelligence above normal in some areas of life such as musical, mechanical, artistic and mathematical, in exchange of limiting this person emotionally. Savant syndrome touches several people around the world. It can occur after birth or later at any stage of life. It affects both males and females, but occurs mostly in males.
... genetics and environment play a role. Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with the disorder. Studies of people with A.S.D. have found irregularities in several regions of the brain. Other studies suggest that people with autism have abnormal levels of serotonin or other neurotransmitters in the brain. These abnormalities suggest that autism could result from the disruption of normal brain development early in fetal development caused by defects in genes that control brain growth and the regulation of how brain cells communicate with each other. With so many answers as to what may cause autism, it makes treatment for autism particularly difficult as there currently is no one standard “fix.” In fact, there are several types of therapy that may help minimize symptoms of A.S.D. and the effectiveness of each program differs for each individual.
Down syndrome is a very common disorder now a day’s, but not many know what it actually is. Down syndrome was a topic that was not as common back in that day. “John Langdon Down, an English physician, published an accurate description of a person with Down syndrome. It was this scholarly
Autism is a brain dysfunction genetically passed down and resulting with abnormalities in the corpus callosum which allows for one to efficiently communicate. Amygdala which facilitates regular emotions and social behavior, and lastly the cerebellum which determines hand eye and motor skill as well as neuron activity that affect the brain in autism. Spect scans of children with autism show an unusual amount of nerve fibers in the brain. At birth their brains are disproportionately smaller than most beings but in short lapse of a year there brains grow rapidly and above average for their age at a year and a half old. All these facets play a role in the main reasoning for lack of transmission from one side to the other (delaying responses and reactions). In scientific research there is no clear explanation of which autism originates or is spawne...
The Autism Spectrum is a mystery. With no cause or cure, researchers have been working hard, to the best of their abilities, to diagnose, treat, and educate those with autism. For centuries, since 1943, with enhanced technology, the view on autism has improved tremendously. New advancements have been developed to diagnose autism earlier, help create more successful treatments, and to help better an educational plan for people with autism.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has been a significant topic of research over the last few decades. While there is no conclusive findings as to what causes Autism, there are many reasonable theories that help to explain how this particular disorder develops. The purpose of this review is to explore and discuss various theories presented in biopsychology as to what causes Autism. Through the examination of several articles and studies, several theories will be presented. Such theories will include the Executive Function Theory, the effect of thimersol and vaccines, the effect of SHANK3, environmental factors, and genetics, all of which will be discussed in further detail.
Hulman, John. University Of California, San Diego. "Autism Linked To Mirror Neuron Dysfunction.”ScienceDaily, 18 Apr. 2005. 1-4.Web. 29 Nov. 2013.
There is no known single cause of autism. Researchers are investigating a number of possible theories including genetics, heredity, medical problems, problems during pregnancy or delivery, as well as environmental influences. It is widely accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in the brain structure or function. There is evidence from neuropathological studies that autism has its origins in abnormal brain development early in prenatal life which continues postnatally, showing acceleration in brain growth measured by head circumference (Zwaigenbaum, L., Bryson, S., Rogers, T., Roberts, W., Brian, J., & Szatmari, P., 2005). The disorder also seems to have a genetic basis, although researchers have yet to find the specific genes that link to the onset of autism. There could be a cluster of genes that have somehow interfered with normal brain development and function. Studies show that twins of children with autism were more likely to be autistic themselves than the regular population, demonstrating there is a heredity lin...
Savant syndrome isn’t bad or harmful at all to the autistic person it is actually highly beneficial to the person and other people so there is no need for treatment for this. There have been no previous records of anyone trying to treat savant. A big benefit that Charlie had from Raymond was being able to count playing cards. Charlie taught his brother how to play black jack. After Charlie took Raymond to the casinos in Las Vegas Raymond help Charlie when a bunch of money.