University:
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Course:
PSY 100 | Introduction to Psychology
Academic year:

2021
Views:

489

Pages:

2
Author:

Z. Hayward

Savant Syndrome, a type of autism with a high level of intelligence Understanding Savant Syndrome Savant syndrome is the name for a rare condition in which a person with a serious mental disorder (often people with autism), has extraordinary talents or skills. Even so, according to research, people with autism with this syndrome often have an intelligence quotient (IQ) below the average, namely around 70. Meanwhile, in other cases, they have an IQ in the normal range, between 85 and 115. So in simple terms, a person with savant syndrome can be described as "a person with below average intelligence who has extraordinary talent in a particular field". Although Savant syndrome is often associated with autism, according to research entitled Savant syndrome has a distinct psychological profile in autism, there are several differences between autism and this syndrome. Based on this research, savant syndrome usually occurs in people with autism, but this condition can also develop in people with other developmental disorders. The following are things that differentiate people with savant syndrome from autism in general:  Increased sensory sensitivity.  Obsessive behavior.  Technical and spatial abilities.  Systemization. Various Theories of the Causes of Savant Syndrome The phenomenon of savant syndrome amazes researchers. But unfortunately, until now there is no definite cause that explains how this syndrome can develop. According to old theories, this condition can develop in people with autism because of their inherent difficulty in understanding other people's emotions. People with this trait are usually less interested in the social world, and may have more time to develop talents that interest them. There is also another theory which estimates that savant syndrome can occur due to brain injuries experienced from birth. This injury generally occurs in the left side of the brain. When the left brain is disturbed, the right brain has to work harder to replace the role of the two. As a result, the right brain, which plays a role in matters related to creativity and art, becomes more developed. Symptoms of Savant Syndrome in People with Autism What all people with autism have in common with savant syndrome is extraordinary memory abilities. Even so, this memory is only limited to the special skills they have. These skills are grouped into five main categories, namely:  Music.  Art.  Lighting calculations.  Calendar calculations.  Visual-spatial abilities (ability to think, remember and understand visual forms). What's amazing about autism sufferers with savant syndrome is that they can master these skills beyond normal abilities in general. For example, someone with savant syndrome can do math problems quickly or paint pictures with very difficult details. Apart from the abilities they have, people with savant syndrome usually also have other symptoms related to the mental condition or developmental disorders they experience, namely:  Difficulty in communicating, characterized by avoiding eye contact and not showing appropriate facial expressions.  Restricted or repetitive behavior.  Delays in language comprehension and cognitive development.