Darold Treffert
Darold Treffert, MD, a Wisconsin psychiatrist, has been studying Savant Syndrome for nearly 40 years. His book, Extraordinary People, was the first work to comprehensively summarize what is known about this fascinating condition, and to introduce the reader to a number of present day prodigious savants. Dr. Treffert was also a consultant to the movie Rain Man, in which Dustin Hoffman portrayed an autistic savant. [Bio from Dr. Treffert's site.]
Articles by this Author
The Savant Syndrome: Islands of Genius
- By Darold Treffert
- Published 10/21/2006
- Learning differences
Savant Syndrome is a rare, but spectacular, condition in which persons
with various developmental disabilities, including Autistic Disorder,
have astonishing islands of ability or brilliance that stand in stark,
markedly incongruous contrast to the over-all handicap.
Prodigy and Savant Syndrome: Are they related?
- By Darold Treffert
- Published 10/21/2006
- Learning differences , Neuroscience
Questions are raised continually as to what are the differences in
brain mechanisms, if any, between (a) prodigies with certain musical or
mathematical skills, for example; (b) persons with savant syndrome with
similar skills and abilities and (c) the rest of us who function quite
normally overall but lack some spectacular area of expertise.
Is There A Little Rain Man In Each Of Us?
- By Darold Treffert
- Published 10/21/2006
- Neuroscience , Autism and Asperger's
Savant Syndrome raises many questions. But two especially intriguing
questions are of particular importance: (1) How do they do it? and (2)
What does savant syndrome say about hidden potential, perhaps, within
each of us.