The Savant Syndrome: Islands of Genius
http://talentdevelop.com/articlelive/articles/390/1/The-Savant-Syndrome-Islands-of-Genius/Page1.html
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.]
By Darold Treffert
Published on 10/21/2006
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.