What is a Savant?

Savants are people who possess extraordinary talents, skills, or intelligence far beyond what is considered normal or expected in an individual. Savants possess the capacity to acquire and recall an immense array of information or skills, such as calendar calculating, art, music, geography, mathematics, or foreign language. It is estimated that less than 100 people in the world have savant syndrome.

These extraordinary abilities have been of interest to neuroscientists, psychologists, and researchers in the cognitive brain sciences for many years. Savants are often considered to have a combination of exceptional abilities and extremely limited skills. The exceptional skills, or islands of genius, may include rapid calculation, musical or artistic talents, or extraordinary memory.

Types of Savants

Savants can take one of three forms: prodigious savants, savant-syndrome, and acquired savant-syndrome. Prodigious savants have very few disabilities and are born with their abilities. People with savant syndrome are born with intellectual and developmental difficulties, yet possess unexpected islands of genius. Lastly, acquired savant syndrome occurs when an individual as a result of an injury or disease, develops a savant-like talent or skill.

First recognized by John Langdon Down, a British physican, in 1887, savant syndrome has been studied and discussed ever since.

Theories of Savant Syndrome

Researchers have developed different theories to explain the range of savant abilities. The “positive understanding” theory suggests that savant skills are not simply a consequence of the savant’s disabilities, but rather a manifestation of their immense potential. A second theory, the genetic theory postulates that savant abilities are connected to an inherited gene mutation.

Finally, the brain injury theory suggests that an injury to one area of the brain, such as the hippocampus, may result in the release of an innate savant-like ability, unlocking the talent and allowing remarkable abilities to emerge.

Conclusion

Savants are individuals possessing extraordinary abilities and intelligence. Savants are very rare phenomena and still largely engimatic. Understanding the causes, origins, and implications of the savant phenotype requires further research and study. Nevertheless, savant syndrome serves as an example of the amazing capacity of the human mind and the potential within us all.