What is a Genius Savant?
A genius savant may be something of a misnomer. Geniuses are usually people with very high intelligence. A savant is usually someone who has extraordinary mental abilities in a particular area. The individual on whom the movie “Rain Man” was based is a savant. Those who are rated geniuses are usually capable of living independently. A savant may not be able to do so. The genius savant is probably most accurately a “savant.” Not every savant has other developmental issues, but most do. Most people think of an autistic person when they think of a genius savant. They think of a person who does not interact normally with others, who has obsessive-compulsive behaviors that make the person difficult to live with, etc. A good example of a genius savant is Daniel Tammet of England. Tammet can do lightning-fast mathematical calculations in his head. Another genius savant might be able to recall a piece of music perfectly, after hearing it only one time. Most humans are not able to even approach
