Some people can multiply and divide large numbers in their head. The abilities of people with savant syndrome are very varied. While some people start demonstrating their abilities in early childhood, such as those with autism, others suddenly acquire them later in life due to an accident or illness such as a stroke. They estimate that 10% of people with autism have some level of savant abilities, but people with developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries, or injuries to the central nervous system also can. There are many theories, but no one theory is able to cover all people. We don’t actually know what causes savant syndrome. While it’s rare, some people with a disability do have exceptional abilities, far in excess of the general population. There was quite a spin put on the story of ‘Rain Man’ by Hollywood, however, savant syndrome is very real. But what exactly is savant syndrome? And does the movie have any truth to it? Is savant syndrome real?
When many people think of the word ‘savant’, they think of the fictional character Raymond Babbitt from the movie ‘Rain Man’.
