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Savant Syndrome Explained

Derek Amato is almost by himself in a class of his own type of savant syndrome. He is known as an "Acquired Savant," which is much rarer than those born with abilities, or "Congenital Savants."

Playlists

(1 - 4 of 6)
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Temple Grandin
    4 Clips Playlist Temple Grandin

    Ingenious Minds (08:03)

    In 2010, Temple Grandin was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine. She has changed how the 70 billion dollar beef industry treats animals, and the way people think about autism.
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Alonzo Clemons
    4 Clips Playlist Alonzo Clemons

    Ingenious Minds (08:31)

    Alonzo Clemons does not have the ability to read or write, but he does possess an elaborate talent of creating detailed sculptures in just minutes of something he saw only for a split second.
  • Play Ingenious Minds: John Robison
    4 Clips Playlist John Robison

    Ingenious Minds (07:25)

    Cutting-edge Harvard research is hoping to help this mechanical savant overcome the social difficulties Asperger's presents by increasing his ability to empathize.
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Robert Gagno
    4 Clips Playlist Robert Gagno

    Ingenious Minds (07:20)

    Robert Gagno is both an autistic young man and one of the top-ranked pinball players in the world. He journeys to the Mayo Clinic to meet with a neurologist to examine how his brain is hard-wired for pinball wizardry.

The Science Channel Clips

  • Play Ingenious Minds: Beating the Odds
    Beating the Odds

    Ingenious Minds (01:31)

    Social processing does not come easy for autistic individuals. So how was Temple Grandin able to overcome the obstacles of autism?
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Head Injury Reveals Hidden Talent
    Head Injury Reveals Hidden...

    Ingenious Minds (02:45)

    Derek Amato hits his head while catching a football, and can then play the piano perfectly, even though had never touched a piano before. Can a head injury actually reveal dormant talents in humans?
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Mathematical Art
    Mathematical Art

    Ingenious Minds (01:58)

    George Widener uses his mathematical gift to express numbers, probability and the passage of time through art.
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Asperger Syndrome
    Asperger Syndrome

    Ingenious Minds (01:51)

    George Widener can not only perform monumental calculations, he also has a great fascination and memory of history. Psychologists have a name for George's combination of obsessive behaviors: Asperger Syndrome.
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Brain Scan of a Savant
    Brain Scan of a Savant

    Ingenious Minds (01:55)

    Derek Amato meets with a neuroscientist to find out if there is any evidence of his amazing musical talents visible from a scan of his brain.
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Think Like the Animals
    Think Like the Animals

    Ingenious Minds (01:46)

    Temple Grandin has a keen talent to understand and communicate with animals. She explains how they store memories using sensory cues instead of language.
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Sculpting Prodigy
    Sculpting Prodigy

    Ingenious Minds (02:23)

    Alonzo Clemons does not have the ability to read or write, but he does possess an elaborate talent of creating detailed sculptures in just minutes of something he saw only for a split second.
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Rock Star Sound Guy
    Rock Star Sound Guy

    Ingenious Minds (02:00)

    John Robison has an incredible ability to teach himself concepts it takes most people years to grasp. He used his talents in sound engineering and design to work for big name rock bands, like Pink Floyd and KISS.
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Savant Syndrome Explained
    Savant Syndrome Explained

    Ingenious Minds (01:09)

    Derek Amato is almost by himself in a class of his own type of savant syndrome. He is known as an "Acquired Savant," which is much rarer than those born with abilities, or "Congenital Savants."
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Brain Scan Results
    Brain Scan Results

    Ingenious Minds (01:42)

    Dr. Andrew Reeves evaluates the results of Alonzo Clemon's brain scans. He is surprised to see hardly any evidence of physical damage from Alonzo's childhood accident.
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Institutionalized
    Institutionalized

    Ingenious Minds (02:08)

    Alonzo Clemons was just a toddler when he suffered significant brain damage. At the time, schools did not support mentally disabled children. Institutionalization was the only option.
  • Play Ingenious Minds: Wired Differently
    Wired Differently

    Ingenious Minds (02:18)

    Neurologist, Dr. Andrew Reeves, performs a number of behavioral tests on Alonzo to determine how differently his brain reacts to specific cues.
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Enter the lives of savants: individuals who possess an extraordinary ability in areas such as art, music and mathematics, while also suffering from intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 
 

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