Savant Syndrome was first described by Dr. Langdon Down, who also identified Down Syndrome. In 1887, he used the term “idiot savant” (using the French word savoir, meaning ‘to know/wisdom’) to describe individuals with significant impairments in mental abilities, but because of its inappropriate connotations and negative emphasis, this term is no longer used today and the term Savant Syndrome is used instead. Another term, ’Autistic Savant’, is also used, but this term is also prone to misleading because although there is a strong relationship between autism and savantism, not all savants are autistic. Approximately of the individuals showing the savant syndrome come from the autism population. It is known that the other come from the developmental disability population or individuals with central nervous system disorders. Approximately of the autism population show the savant syndrome, while less than %1 in the other developmental disability categories. To understand savantism, it is also necessary to have a good level of understanding of what autism is.

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that manifests itself through impairments in social interaction and limited interest and repetitive behavior. Autism is not a mental illness or a mental disorder. Although the exact causes of autism are not fully understood, it is believed to have genetic roots. However, the genetic mechanism has not yet been understood. It is more common in boys than in girls; it is called high-functioning autism. In individuals with high-functioning autism, mental abilities are normal or above normal, while in individuals with low-functioning autism, mental abilities are below normal. At -40 years of age, individuals with autism have a decline in mental function. Since the causes have not been fully understood, there is no effective treatment method yet. The most effective treatment method known is education. The goal of education is to eliminate the symptoms of autism and to instill new and positive behaviors in areas where they exhibit deficiencies. Early education is extremely important for individuals with autism. Applied behavioral analysis-based practices are implemented in qualified early education practices. Research shows that individuals with autism who receive qualified early education are able to continue their lives with minimal support.

Savant autistics are individuals used for those who exhibit quite unusual skills not displayed by other autistic individuals. There are very different forms of savant skills. The most commonly seen are mathematics and calculation skills, superior memory skills, artistic skills, and musical skills. Language skills, unusual sensory discrimination, and having a tremendous accumulation of knowledge on a subject such as statistics or computers are seen more rarely. Savant characteristics are frequently seen in calendar skills among autistic individuals (e.g., instantly giving the correct answer in that very second to the question of which day of the week January 15 fell on in any given year, etc.). At the same time, they are able to perform skills such as multiplication, division, and square root calculations mentally and very quickly. Regardless of which skill superior characteristics are exhibited in, these superior traits are usually seen in a single skill; they are rarely seen in multiple skills. It is not yet possible to diagnose savant syndrome before birth.

Savant syndrome can be either congenital or acquired. In other words, it is either present from birth and manifests in early childhood, or it can develop as a result of central nervous system damage or illness. It is 4 to 6 times more common in males than in females. At the same time, savant characteristics are considered within a spectrum. In other words, savant skills occur at different levels and impacts in individuals. Not every individual with savant syndrome is autistic; at the same time, not every autistic individual has savant syndrome.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Down, J. L. (1987). On some of the mental affections of childhood and youth. London: Churchill.
Kırcaali-İftar, G. (2014). Overview of autism spectrum disorder. E. Tekin-İftar (Editor). Children with autism spectrum disorder and their education. Ankara: Vize Yayıncılık.
Treffert, D. A. (1988). The idiot savant: A review of the syndrome. American Journal of Psychiatry, 145(5), 563-572.
Treffert, D. A. (1989). Extraordinary people: Understanding Savant Syndrome. Lincoln, NE: iUniverse.com.