Islands of Genius: The Bountiful Mind of the Autistic, Acquired, and Sudden Savant

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Savant syndrome is a rare condition in which individuals with developmental disorders have one or more areas of expertise, ability, or brilliance - 'islands of genius' - that exist in contrast with their overall limitations. This paradox of genius and limitation within the same person offers a unique window on talent, intelligence and memory, and raises interesting questions about the hidden brain potential within us all. What makes the mind of a savant tick? Does this exceptional potential exist within each of us? If so, how can it be tapped? This unique account of Dr Darold Treffert's 47-year journey into the mind and world of the savant introduces some truly remarkable individuals, and looks at the causes, manifestations and implications of this extraordinary condition. It explores recently-discovered phenomena such as 'genetic memory', the capacity of some individuals to 'know' things they never learned, and 'acquired savantism', instances in which a neuro-typical person unexpectedly and spectacularly develops savant-like abilities following a trauma such as a head injury or stroke. Explaining that such cases point convincingly towards a reservoir of untapped ability - an inner savant capacity - in us all, it describes techniques for discovering and tapping this dormant potential. Above all, it's message is that prodigy and genius should be celebrated and nurtured, and expertsin music, math, and art share strategies and techniques to help parents, teachers and others better support these exceptionally talented individuals. This book will intrigue anyone who has ever wondered what makes the brain of a savant tick, as well as clinicians, parents, teachers, therapists and others who care for, and about, individuals with savant syndrome.

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Darold A. Treffert, M.D. is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. He has worked with savants and researched this rare condition for nearly 50 years, and was a consultant to the award-winning movie Rain Man in which Dustin Hoffman plays the part of an autistic savant. Kim Peek - the inspiration for the film - is just one of the extraordinary individuals Dr. Treffert introduces us to in the book