Perhaps
the best-known savant from popular culture was Dustin Hoffman's character in
"Rain Man". He was a calendar/numerical savant. There are three types of savants
- musical, artistic, and calendar/calculator savants. Even though they have
prodigious skills in a specific area, savants are characterized as lacking many
"so-called" life skills or social skills. The ultimate goal for any savant is
to develop their gift and make them self-sufficient and self-supporting, if
possible. Savants usually have an unusual ability to focus on a specific task.
For example, musical savants have an insatiable appetite for music and an incredible
attention span."
Doctor
Darold Treffert is the world's expert on musical savants. His Web site, http://www.daroldtreffert.com/
has a wealth of information on his work with various musical savants. This site
features further details about the research, lectures, and works of Dr. Treffert.
For the latest updates on Savant Syndrome, please visit Dr. Treffert's Web site
maintained through the Wisconsin Medical Society at www.savantsyndrome.com.
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