American Asperger's Association
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American Asperger's Association Support Group

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» Chambers of Hope (COH) and American Aspergers Association (AAA)
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Jul 27, 2013 1:29 pm by csweepigirl

» Introductions
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Feb 06, 2012 12:39 am by earthenvessel

» June 4th 2011
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Feb 25, 2011 6:22 am by csweepigirl

» Free Home Speech Practice Home offer
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Feb 19, 2011 2:21 pm by csweepigirl

» Support group meeting and hbot volunteers
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Dec 20, 2010 9:35 am by Dr. Ron

» Favor....Locals..read..please...
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Oct 11, 2010 7:46 am by bondgary009

» Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) is hosting the first of its best practices webinars
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Aug 27, 2010 4:51 am by csweepigirl

» We need to start this website back up again!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Aug 23, 2010 2:33 am by man of a million names

» Group Home Manager is Yelling I Need Help
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeThu Aug 05, 2010 3:10 am by csweepigirl

» Facebook
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Jul 05, 2010 2:27 am by KelleyNNelson

» Support Group Meetings 2011 *EDITED*
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Jun 23, 2010 3:57 am by KelleyNNelson

» community happenings!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue Jun 22, 2010 6:01 am by asg_tlm@hotmail.com

» Asperger's (how it is diagnosed and treated)
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Jun 12, 2010 4:27 pm by csweepigirl

» What do you do when people look at you by the pills you take vs. the person you are?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Jun 12, 2010 4:01 pm by csweepigirl

» Items under your nose that are gluten free, and cheap too!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Jun 09, 2010 5:59 am by KelleyNNelson

» Adam
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue Jun 08, 2010 1:19 am by man of a million names

» Looking for friends
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Jun 05, 2010 8:51 pm by channing28105

» Maas-Rowe Carillon Questions
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Jun 05, 2010 8:51 pm by channing28105

» Video Emails from Dr. Ron
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue May 11, 2010 1:40 am by Dr. Ron

» Ah, it's good to be back.
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat May 01, 2010 5:03 am by man of a million names

» 1st Annual Aspergers Volleyball Tournament
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Apr 19, 2010 2:03 am by Dr. Ron

» free event: Therapeutic Recreation Adapted Sailing and Kayak Clinic
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeThu Apr 01, 2010 3:20 am by csweepigirl

» Help! I Seem to be Getting More Autistic!" ARTICLE
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Mar 29, 2010 10:22 am by csweepigirl

» Was this teacher out of line?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Mar 03, 2010 10:31 pm by lovethefish

» OMG THE PLACE IS REMODELED!!!!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Mar 03, 2010 2:38 am by KelleyNNelson

» Got Plates?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue Mar 02, 2010 1:19 am by KelleyNNelson

» Local IEP Advocate!! THANKS VAL!!!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSun Feb 28, 2010 1:16 pm by csweepigirl

» Pinellas ESE advisory board meetings
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Feb 27, 2010 12:31 am by lovethefish

» Dentists who use sedation.. thanks Dr. Ron
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Feb 27, 2010 12:28 am by lovethefish

» Hey GAB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Feb 24, 2010 5:25 am by csweepigirl

» Autism in the news: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A hormone thought to encourage bonding between mothers and their babies may foster social behavior in some adults with autism, French researchers said on Monday.
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeThu Feb 18, 2010 7:01 am by csweepigirl

» **********echo*******************
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSun Jan 31, 2010 11:16 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Any ideas on how to make a gluten regression easier for both child and family?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Jan 06, 2010 9:47 am by csweepigirl

» Hi! Long time no see.
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Dec 21, 2009 3:04 am by KelleyNNelson

» Hellooooo? Need some freakin' help here.
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue Dec 15, 2009 8:50 am by man of a million names

» Cats or dogs? Summer or winter?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Nov 23, 2009 6:47 am by man of a million names

» Mozark and the whale *aspergers movie* on showtime on demand.. SUCKED by the way
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Nov 23, 2009 6:42 am by man of a million names

» Adult Aspergers Syndrome
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSun Nov 22, 2009 4:07 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Asperger’s Syndrome: A Developmental Puzzle by Michael McCroskery
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSun Nov 22, 2009 12:22 pm by csweepigirl

» Really Cool Super Awesome Thing! Kim And Kelly You Have To Read This!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Nov 20, 2009 4:24 am by man of a million names

» 2 Articles of Interest Re: Aspergers
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeThu Nov 19, 2009 6:15 am by csweepigirl

» Accidently stubled across some info about meletonin oops!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue Nov 10, 2009 2:41 pm by csweepigirl

» Lack of Services for ASD
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Nov 09, 2009 8:04 pm by Dr. Ron

» New and having a hard time
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Nov 04, 2009 3:40 am by lovethefish

» Sorry I haven't been around as much (update)
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue Nov 03, 2009 10:53 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Having a hard time again
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue Oct 20, 2009 8:35 am by man of a million names

» Important paradox/riddle! Anyone care to help with it?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Oct 19, 2009 10:46 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Follow through or not.
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeThu Oct 15, 2009 4:01 am by csweepigirl

» New Pediatrics Autism Study Putting Prevalence at 1 in 91
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Oct 14, 2009 11:45 am by csweepigirl

» Different Directions
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Oct 09, 2009 12:41 am by csweepigirl

» AS is a very difficult diagnosis to make.
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeThu Oct 08, 2009 1:47 pm by csweepigirl

» How is everyone?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Sep 21, 2009 9:48 pm by Jerry Graham

» CD to benefit the AAA ~!!!!! Check this out!!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Sep 21, 2009 11:14 am by bassfiddlesteve

» I met Joe Diffie's son!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSun Sep 20, 2009 8:01 am by csweepigirl

» Anyone feel like helping me smack the crap out of my former boss?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSun Sep 20, 2009 7:56 am by csweepigirl

» Lazy or Aspergers?? or both?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSun Sep 20, 2009 5:20 am by man of a million names

» The right thing?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue Sep 15, 2009 7:27 am by man of a million names

» Mark Fowler and his wonderful work.
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSun Sep 13, 2009 5:51 am by man of a million names

» A.A.A. RESEARCH STUDY. Do you see any differences between females with Aspergers vs. males with Aspergers
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeThu Sep 10, 2009 1:49 pm by csweepigirl

» What happened?? because I don't know, do you?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeThu Sep 10, 2009 6:24 am by man of a million names

» Haha, Funny URL.
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Sep 09, 2009 9:15 am by man of a million names

» Dude! Kim, I forgot to tell you... and maybe anyone else at the last meeting...
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Sep 05, 2009 4:59 am by man of a million names

» My son is making strange noises!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Sep 04, 2009 11:41 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Terrible sound on video
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Sep 04, 2009 9:30 am by man of a million names

» Aspian or Aspergian?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Sep 04, 2009 7:22 am by man of a million names

» If you, or you know someone who needs a BIG/HUGE carseat..
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Sep 04, 2009 12:33 am by csweepigirl

» Just a quick hello
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Sep 02, 2009 7:37 am by man of a million names

» We started the FLDRS process...and here's what we found out so far
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Sep 02, 2009 7:19 am by man of a million names

» Support Groups
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSun Aug 30, 2009 1:31 pm by KelleyNNelson

» (Aspergers) Boy Meets Girl Movie
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue Aug 25, 2009 8:13 am by man of a million names

» I give up, with trying to ever just relax, really.. I'm so flustrated!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Aug 24, 2009 9:15 am by man of a million names

» Basic White or Yellow Cake
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Aug 22, 2009 6:33 am by man of a million names

» When did this category get here?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Aug 22, 2009 1:55 am by man of a million names

» Pork Fried Rice
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeThu Aug 20, 2009 11:17 pm by man of a million names

» Why Are The Private Messages Still Disabled????
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeThu Aug 20, 2009 10:48 pm by man of a million names

» Sorry I've been M.I.A.
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Aug 19, 2009 6:04 am by man of a million names

» 5Km Run For AS!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Aug 14, 2009 11:30 pm by man of a million names

» Help for a mother.
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Aug 12, 2009 12:01 pm by Dr. Ron

» Aspergers and empathy
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Aug 08, 2009 11:41 am by csweepigirl

» We are the three amigo(a)s!Aanyone care to join?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Aug 07, 2009 12:42 am by man of a million names

» Vaccinations, Red Book, What?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeThu Aug 06, 2009 12:21 am by Dr. Ron

» What is the first step?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Aug 05, 2009 7:14 am by Dr. Ron

» Children who can’t cuddle
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeMon Aug 03, 2009 1:27 pm by csweepigirl

» Challenging popular myths about autism
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Jul 31, 2009 10:59 pm by Dr. Ron

» I NEED your HELP!!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeSat Jul 25, 2009 2:41 am by melissa

» Ok..what do I do? any suggestions..
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeFri Jul 24, 2009 3:53 am by melissa

» Back home!
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Jul 22, 2009 2:10 pm by KelleyNNelson

» Any spanish speakers willing to help an aspie in spain?
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeWed Jul 22, 2009 1:34 pm by csweepigirl

» Gluten Free Simple Bread
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue Jul 21, 2009 11:49 am by csweepigirl

» More research (genetics)
SAVANT syndrome I_icon_minitimeTue Jul 21, 2009 11:43 am by csweepigirl


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SAVANT syndrome

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1SAVANT syndrome Empty SAVANT syndrome Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:39 pm

csweepigirl

csweepigirl
Admin

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE: ALTHOUGH SAVANT syndrome is not an officially recognised medical diagnosis, Darold Treffert, an American research psychiatrist, who was a consultant for the film Rain Man , defines the savant syndrome as “a rare condition in which persons with developmental disorders have one or more areas of expertise, ability or brilliance that are in contrast with the individual’s overall limitations”.

John Langdon Down (1828-1896) was the first to describe the savant syndrome (he is also known for his description of Down syndrome). Down used the term “idiot savant” to describe the condition and this terminology was used until well into the 20th century. Back then, the term “idiot” was accepted within the scientific community to describe a person with an IQ below 20. That term is now unacceptable because it offends personal dignity, but it is also technically incorrect, since almost all cases of savant syndrome have IQs above 40.

About half those diagnosed with savant syndrome are autistic and the term “autistic savant” was also used in the past, but no longer. About 10 per cent of autistic people have savant skills. Also, male savants are six times more common than female savants. Although it is extremely rare, some savants show no evidence of abnormalities accompanying their unique abilities.

Derek Paravicini is a typical example of savant syndrome (described by Celeste Biever in New Scientist , Issue 2711, June 2009). He is a 29-year-old musical savant. Derek has severe general learning difficulties and needs everyday support. Yet he can play on the piano any musical piece you request, entirely from memory and with considerable technical skill. He doesn’t simply regurgitate music he has heard, but constantly improvises the pieces.

Many readers will have seen the 1988 film Rain Man, starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. Hoffman plays autistic savant Raymond Babbit, who can remember everything he reads and do lightening-fast calculations in his head. The character was based on real-life Kim Peek who lives in Salt Lake City. Peek is a savant who is not autistic. He probably suffers from Opitz-Kaveggia syndrome, a genetic syndrome linked to the X chromosome that causes developmental delays and physical anomalies. Peek has a photographic memory. He reads a book in about an hour and remembers almost everything he reads. He can recall the content of more than 12,000 books.

Savant syndrome is poorly understood. The latest research is published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Vol 364, 2009. It used be thought that the amazing talents displayed by savants emerge fully formed, but it is now believed that such skills are more common than previously thought and may even arise from traits found in the general population. Furthermore, savant skills may develop only after years of obsessive practice.

Since half of all savants are autistic, autism must hold some clues to the origins of the special talents. One study has identified the capacity of “remembering details that other people miss” as the biggest indicator of special talent in autistic children. This eye for detail seems to give one a “foothold into talent”. Biever speculates that, in the case of musical savants such as Paravicini, a bias towards noticing small details could lead their developing brains to home in on the exact notes more than the overall melody, encouraging outstanding musical memory and perfect pitch. In general, people with autism are hypersensitive to sensory information.

Biever describes studies that have shown that savant brains are physically somewhat different from average brains. These differences may not be innate, rather they may develop with practice. Some London taxi drivers have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the layout of 25,000 streets and thousands of places of interest. Studies have shown differences between their brain structures and the brains of adults who do not drive taxis. These differences become less pronounced after the drivers retire. It seems that they start out with typical brains that then develop with training and practice to accommodate the special skill.

Many things no doubt make essential contributions to the development of savant skills. It seems that one of these things, overlooked in the past, is motivation. Autistic savants obsessively practice their skills. Adam Ockelford (quoted by Biever), a professor of music, has watched Paravicini’s talent develop since the age of four. At first, Paravicini was entirely self-taught and bashed at a plastic keyboard with fists and elbows to reproduce the sounds he heard. His technical skills developed only after years of practice. But he was motivated far beyond the average music student and practised “as if his life depended on it”. Hard work seems to play an essential part in the development of savant skills.

Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sciencetoday/2009/0702/1224249896390.html

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