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Savant syndrome has a distinct psychological profile in autism

dc.contributor.authorHughes, James E A
dc.contributor.authorWard, Jamie
dc.contributor.authorGruffydd, Elin
dc.contributor.authorBaron-Cohen, Simon
dc.contributor.authorSmith, Paula
dc.contributor.authorAllison, Carrie
dc.contributor.authorSimner, Julia
dc.date.accessioned2018-10-13T06:02:36Z
dc.date.available2018-10-13T06:02:36Z
dc.date.issued2018-10-12
dc.date.updated2018-10-13T06:02:29Z
dc.description.abstractAbstract Background Savant syndrome is a condition where prodigious talent can co-occur with developmental conditions such as autism spectrum conditions (autism). It is not yet clear why some autistic people develop savant skills while others do not. Methods We tested three groups of adults: autistic individuals who have savant skills, autistic individuals without savant skills, and typical controls without autism or savant syndrome. In experiment 1, we investigated the cognitive and behavioural profiles of these three groups by asking participants to complete a battery of self-report measures of sensory sensitivity, obsessional behaviours, cognitive styles, and broader autism-related traits including social communication and systemising. In experiment 2, we investigated how our three groups learned a novel savant skill—calendar calculation. Results Heightened sensory sensitivity, obsessional behaviours, technical/spatial abilities, and systemising were all key aspects in defining the savant profile distinct from autism alone, along with a different approach to task learning. Conclusions These results reveal a unique cognitive and behavioural profile in autistic adults with savant syndrome that is distinct from autistic adults without a savant skill.
dc.identifier.citationMolecular Autism. 2018 Oct 12;9(1):53
dc.identifier.doi10.17863/CAM.30989
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/283620
dc.language.isoeng
dc.language.rfc3066en
dc.rights.holderThe Author(s).
dc.titleSavant syndrome has a distinct psychological profile in autism
dc.typeJournal Article
rioxxterms.versionofrecord10.1186/s13229-018-0237-1

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