Savant syndrome
Savant Syndrome
Savant syndrome (pronunciation: /səˈvɑːnt/) is a rare condition in which someone with significant mental disabilities demonstrates certain abilities far in excess of average. The skills that savants excel at are generally related to memory. This may include rapid calculation, artistic ability, map making, or musical ability.
Etymology
The term savant comes from the French word savant, meaning "knowing", which is derived from the Latin sapere, "to be wise". The term syndrome is derived from the Greek syndromē, which means "concurrence of symptoms, concurrence of chances".
Characteristics
Savant syndrome is not a recognized medical diagnosis, but researcher Darold Treffert defines it as a condition in which a person demonstrates capacities or abilities that are greatly in excess of what would be considered normal. People with savant syndrome may have neurodevelopmental disorders, notably autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or Asperger syndrome.
Related Terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder: A developmental disorder that involves a spectrum of social and communication challenges.
- Asperger Syndrome: A type of pervasive developmental disorder which is defined by the atypical development of social skills and a restricted range of interests and activities.
- Darold Treffert: A researcher who has studied savant syndrome extensively.
See Also
- Idiot Savant: A term previously used to describe a person with savant syndrome, now considered derogatory and outdated.
- Prodigious Savant: A person with savant syndrome who has an extraordinary ability or skill that stands in stark contrast to the person's overall limitations.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Savant syndrome
- Wikipedia's article - Savant syndrome
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