Savant Syndrome

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I was a comedian in the '80's and '90's and more than one reviewer described me as a "savant". A savant is someone who does one thing extraordinarily well, but can't do anything else for himself. I had a short story published in the late '80's and a magazine called Publisher's Weekly described me as a "psychedelic savant". At the time I didn't think anything about it, but a few years ago I got interested and started reading material about savant syndrome. I also watched videos on the internet about people with savant syndrome. I've come to the conclusion that I do have autism as well as savant syndrome. The term "idiot savant" is no longer used, but today it is called savant syndrome. I'm starting to get excited, because the more I learn about my strengths and weaknesses, the more successful I become. I do comedy extraordinarily well, and I have an exceptional memory. Other parts of my brain seem to be underdeveloped or not quite there. I'm getting enthusiastic about life, because my aptitude in these two fields is so high and as far as the underdeveloped parts of my brain, they've gotten better, or I've learned to work around them. Has anyone else been diagnosed as a savant or had any experience with "savant syndrome"?

What exactly are you referring to yourself as far as 'Savant' goes?

There are roughly only 25 true savants world wide ( as far as those that have thus far been discovered)

I like the sound of the word savant but its true translation i detest. ( learned idiot)

I can see why you could become a comedian as i realise many comedians have quit a negative/rough background and often use comedy as a form of self therapy.

Go on crack a joke! ( just kidding )

Oh, and welcome to WP

I have a thing that I can do (not saying what ) which usually people struggle for years to learn. I ended up as a teacher of this (not anymore ) but was caught out one day while teaching a member of the mental health proffession who turned to me and said "You could always do this, couldn't you? " I lost confidence in charging for teaching something that I have never experienced as a learner. I think that would be called "savant".

Despite being incommunicable and withdrawn in real life, I have excelled at interacting on forums, being sociable, cracking jokes, being sarcastic and stuff like that. My occupational therapist has referred to that as a type of savant ability from me (using the term loosely).

I do not know if it is considered savant type ability or not, but I can crochet things without patterns. I got it in my head once that I wanted to make a long cardigan for myself, so I sat down and made it. I couldn't tell you how I managed to get it all symmetrical and lined up. I just made it and it worked. Sometimes I will just look at something and make it... like those little stuffed Cthulhu dolls I made... I saw one on the internet, and made some. I cannot explain how or why these things work for me, other than I seem to be able to understand how some things are put together without having any learned knowledge of the how or why. *shrugs* That is as close as I get to savant type ability.

My dad's side of the family though are musically gifted and seem savant-ish to me. They can hear a thing and play it on damn near any instrument you give them. They do not need to read music, they just hear and play... though they all can read music. It's quite impressive to me. They are almost all equally talented with what they can do with their voices... perfect pitch and all that. I have one cousin who can shatter glass with her voice. They all amaze me with that stuff.

My ex and I call it "aspie superpowers".

Mine would probably be an encyclopedic memory when it comes to actors and films and an uncanny ability to remember a face.