Dr. Darold Treffert
Darold A. Treffert was an internationally respected researcher in autism, hyperlexia, savant syndrome and related conditions. He was also a psychiatrist and research director who specialized in the epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders and savant syndrome. His book Extraordinary People was the first work to comprehensively summarize what is known about this fascinating condition. Dr. Treffert was also a consultant to the movie Rain Man, in which Dustin Hoffman portrayed an autistic savant.
Publications
Islands of Genius
In this fascinating book, Dr. Darold Treffert looks at what we know about savant syndrome, and at new discoveries that raise interesting questions about the hidden brain potential within us all. Dr. Treffert explores the phenomena of genetic memory - instances in which individuals somehow "know" things they never learned - and sudden genius or "acquired savantism" - where a neuro-typical person unexpectedly and spectacularly develops savant-like abilities following a head injury or stroke. He looks both at how savant skills can be nurtured, and how they can help the person who has them,
Extraordinary People
For the first time in Extraordinary People, the psychiatrist who was a consultant to the movie Rain Man, collects the most fascinating cases of Savant Syndrome both in history and modern times. Dr. Treffert documents the spectacular abilitiesthe islands of geniusin these remarkable persons, and describes as well the love, determination and dedication of their equally remarkable families, teachers and caretakers. He shares the observations of the far-reaching implications this astonishing condition has for understanding brain function and hidden potential in all of us.
