What Is Savant Syndrome?

Savant syndrome is a curious phenomenon that presents itself as a particular strength or talent in the affected individual. Unlike mental giftedness, which can present itself with high-functioning mental acumen in multiple areas, savant syndrome emerges as the demonstration of one particular strength or talent despite otherwise lower or incapacitated cognitive function. Savant syndrome is a rare phenomenon, and even medical professionals debate the causes from which it arises. Although the cause of savant syndrome remains contested, what can be pinpointed is savants typically display a superior memory and one specific talent within music, the arts, mathematics, or science.

Definition

By definition, savant syndrome is the demonstration of genius-level talent among an individual with otherwise ordinary or compromised mental facilities. Savant syndrome usually emerges from individuals with mental disabilities. It is a condition in which the individual demonstrates a superior talent or specific mental acumen despite otherwise low cognitive function. In most instances, savants will demonstrate superior memory skills, which overall contribute to strengths in spatial reasoning as well as the arts, mathematics, and music. Typically, individuals with savant syndrome demonstrate strength in one specific skill while the abilities to perform other functions remain quite low in comparison.

Savant syndrome is not a common occurrence. In fact, only an estimated one in a million individuals display characteristics that can classify them as savants. Higher frequencies of savant syndrome have been observed among individuals who have received an autism diagnosis. Because of the condition’s rarity, estimates project only around one hundred true savants are living in present-day society.

Signs And Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of savant syndrome can initially be challenging to pinpoint. Medical researchers believe the condition can either be congenital or acquired during an individual’s lifetime. Typically, throughout their development, savants will show a particular proclivity toward a specific talent or area of giftedness. This skill may seem uncharacteristic or even phenomenal considering the individual’s otherwise compromised cognitive function. In most cases, individuals with savant syndrome have an IQ under 70, and it can occur among people with mental retardation, autism, Asperger’s syndrome, hyperlexia, and other central nervous system disorders. The condition can also emerge after traumatic brain injury.

Despite the association of savant syndrome with low cognitive function, the condition is not limited to individuals with mental retardation. In some cases, IQ can be average or even high, but the strengths and talents of the savant are far superior to the level of skills typically observable at that particular intelligence level. Savant syndrome tends to occur more frequently among males than females. In fact, men with savant syndrome outnumber women six to one.

Causes

Medical professionals have had difficulty tracing savant syndrome to a specific cause. One conclusion is the belief the way savants build and process memories is extremely different and much more visual in comparison to ordinary individuals. Nevertheless, even this conclusion has been contested as not all skills and talents demonstrated by savants require the capacity to memorize information.

For many savants, the brain demonstrates either injury or abnormality in its left hemisphere. This is the side of the brain responsible for processing language and deeper, abstract thinking. As a result, some researchers think savant syndrome emerges as a hyperexpression of concrete thinking, concentrated fully into one activity. In some cases, this supports cases in which the savant demonstrates an affinity for rote memorization, calendar calculating, or playing an instrument without guidance or notes. However, this does not explain some savants who are extraordinarily talented in the arts, sciences, and engineering.

In some cases, savant syndrome can be genetic. Some scientists believe that during fetal development, two genes combine, one of which is responsible for mental retardation while the other gene carries the affinity for the specific talent displayed. Arguments against genetics being the primary cause of savant syndrome claim the savant's skills do not necessarily correlate to observable skills and abilities within the family history.

Additional arguments for savant syndrome believe the talents emerge as a coping mechanism for isolation occurring during a savant’s upbringing. Many individuals with savant syndrome suffer from difficulties processing language, expressing themselves, reading social cues, and interacting with others. As such, theories have been posited asserting savant syndrome becomes activated cognitively as a strategy for finding additional sensory stimulation, to combat boredom, or to alleviate frustration from social interactions.

Types

Savant syndrome typically receives classification through the circumstances from which the savant syndrome emerges or through the types of talents expressed. Congenital savant syndrome emerges from conditions brought on by birth, meaning the individual was born with some form of mental incapacity. These savants become identified by displaying their impressive talents despite other factors that restrict their cognitive function. Acquired savant syndrome occurs after a traumatic brain injury or damage to the central nervous system that severely hinders mental function, but allows for a specific talent to emerge.

Concerning the kind of talent expressed, savants can excel at mathematical, musical, artistic, or even spatial thinking. Some savants may simply be classified through their extraordinary capacity to memorize specific information such as calendar dates or detailed information regarding past events.

Relation To Other Conditions

In general, savant syndrome does have a relation to other conditions. In many instances, it can be associated with forms of mental retardation, meaning the individual displaying the talent has a measured IQ of less than 70. However, it is not a requirement to have a low IQ to be considered a savant.

Most cases of savant syndrome are associated with individuals who have received a formal diagnosis of autism or Asperger’s syndrome. Individuals with autism typically display a delay in speech and language development and expression as children. They may have a severe incapacity to use or interpret language, understand non-verbal gestures, and interact fully in a conversation. Those with Asperger’s syndrome do not demonstrate a language delay during childhood. They may have slight delays in social interaction and abstract thinking, but the degree of symptoms is far less in comparison to autism.