Savant Skills

Post Reply New Topic

I have had two, random, out-of-the-blue savant experiences: one was a 3 hour maths exam that I completed in 10 minutes and scored 100%. The answers just appeared in my mind instantly without any intervening process between reading the questions and knowing the answers - and this was a difficult exam, when I was 16. After that the maths master did treat me much better!

The other was also in an exam: a music exam when I was 11. I sat at the piano and initially experienced a total blank out in my mind. Then I went into some kind of automatic state (of which I have no memory) and played the entire syllabus. The examiner was shocked by this and remarked that it was "absolutely flawless". Passed with Distinction. Not as shocked as I was, however, when I read his comments and couldn't recall having played a single note. I gave up piano after that. The experience scarred me and raised tremendous expectations put on me from others.

I couldn't claim to have any savant skills, but I am very good at anything that requires logical step by step problem solving. I don't have to put in a lot of effort (if any at all) to understand new concepts in maths.

In school I have never been second to anyone in maths lessons, and rarely got a grade below 90% (very frequent 100%'s). Those are subjects that most of my classmates found very challenging.

I wouldn't say it's being "savant" because my skills aren't perfect and they also improve with practice.

I'm in awe of all these skills and I'm just wondering if you could teach me all of this? I'm autistic but I haven't really figured out what super skill is. What I would do for a skill like instantly knowing the outcome of a certain calculation (without actually having to calculate it). And what about quickly learning how to play an instrument. I would finally be able to translate all that music in my head to an instrument (although most of the music in my head is with multiple instruments).

Anyone?

For me it's been my ability to communicate and interact with others the way I do in these kinds of forums. It's so different from how I am in real life because I'm very withdrawn and basically nonverbal. I really don't know how I have done so well. And really only know I do good because so many people have told me so. When I do this it's like I'm set free and I love it. I have made over 18,000 posts in 3 forums in one year because of that. And have even been asked to be a moderator.

I'm not sure what it's called really. I can do pattern recognition super duper fast. Like when I do a jigsaw puzzle I do it several times faster than everyone else can. People think I can just pick up random pieces and they just fit somehow. There are other similar games I play really well. My eyes notice small differences in shade and texture and shapes. A lot of the times the differences are not obvious enough to describe but I just know it. It feels more like I'm instinctive, but I know it's all the tiny details my senses have picked up.

*None of the above works when it comes to people. I can't recognize people even after seeing them 8 to 10 times.

I am good at Bejeweled.

People in real life have suggested I am a "conspiracy thinker", because I relate seemingly unrelated information (i.e., people may think you are a "conspiracist", if you find/look for patterns). I make a lot of topics on PPR, and perhaps this comes across there.

My ASD is like brain damage though, and learning/memorizing information is all I have. Information is how I "experience" the world.

I got my intelligence tested through diagnostic processes and apparently it was higher than most. According to the examiner, she said I was testing and manipulating her instead of the other way around. I also failed to meet any criteria on a few other tests because of that and my parents are scared because of what I can do.

Despite of having a high intelligence, comorbidities cause me distress in school. I also have a good memory.

It's mainly retention and hyperactivity. I was pretty dismal in school but in the 4th grade I was reading Plato's Symposium and Aquinas' Summa Contra Gentiles. For obvious reasons this isn't as great as it sounds, especially because of the comorbid symptoms that go hand in hand with the hyperactivity. It is nice to recollect in detail everything I've ever read though.

Not sure if it elevates to savant level, but I have an excellent sense of direction. Paired with an interest in maps and the ability to remember them photographically, I can then translate that onto the topography and features of a particular place where I happen to be.

I am often asked for directions, and even in towns where I am just visiting am able to give accurate and detailed directions.