Savant

Many children with autism have certain attributes that are extrodinary. An example of this is in the movie Rainman starring Dustin Hoffman. In the movie he displays remarkable mathmatical abilities and memorization. I noticed very early on Mickey had an amazing memory. He can watch a show one time and have the entire dialog memorized. He can recall information that happened months ago. He has the entire layout of Disneyland memorized as well as the routes of everywhere we drive. He also often will have premonitions. He will tell me what is on TV before I turn it on. He made a comment to his speech therapist about the chair falling and a few seconds later it did. Today while I was driving he said, “Big truck crash!” I didn’t see anything but I proceeded very cautiously home. Who knows maybe he warned me and I was able to prevent something. I also noticed about 6 months ago that he had a knack for letters, numbers and shapes. Well, his “knack” has grown to be quite extrodinary. I have noticed him spelling things lately, reading signs and memorizing the computer keyboard. I am not quite sure what to think of this yet. I also don’t know what to say when he starts reading signs at the check-out counter and people notice. His teachers and therapists have all commented on his extrodinary abilities with letters. His speech therapist knows he knows the letters and sounds but at the last session we learned he also knows what words start with certain letters. She did an alphabet puzzle with him and asked him what each letter was for and he answered. A for apple…etc. when he got to M he said M is for monkey then looked at me and said… and for Mommy!!! In some ways I am thrilled that he is so smart but I am also a little concerned. Children with autism are most comfortable with order and anything that has do to with order. That is why letters, numbers and patterns are so interesting to them. Since so little is known about autism and its effects I just am not sure if this is something I should be encouraging or another form of a “stim.” As for now, I use his love of reading and letters as a way to connect with him and we play games around them. I guess as long as it is not effecting him negatively or keeping him from interacting with others than it is a good thing. Here is an interesting article about Autistic Savants.

 The videoat the top is an excellent display of some of the same abilities Mickey has with memorization, patterns, spelling and letters. (This is not my video but a great example by another parent!)