Mental Abilities: Genius, Savant and Autism

1. Explain in detail what "savant syndrome" means.

The Savant Syndrome is exceptional skills that seem to come out of nowhere without previous training or experience. Savant skills can include incredible memorization skills, outstanding mathematical skills, unaccountable ability to learn foreign language, calendar calculation, artistic and musical skills, and occasionally, sensing abilities. Savant skills generally occur in around 1% of people with autism, with Asperger’s Syndrome. These skills are usually found in all kinds of disability groups, such as loss of hearing or sight, people with brain injury, and people with bipolar or mental health conditions.

http://www.donnawilliams.net/savantsyndrome.0.html

2. What does genius mean?  Explain the difference between genius and savant.

Genius means a person with extraordinary intelligence, with mental and creative activity, or a person who has a strong talent in something. A personal with an extraordinary IQ, usually above 140 can also be considered a genius.

A savant is not a genius, and vice versa. A savant is not creative, while a genius is naturally creative. A genius can be created while a savant is innate with the skill.

http://www.blurtit.com/q214858.html

http://scientific-child-prodigy.blogspot.com/2007_06_03_archive.html

3. What is a stroke and how could it affect your mental functioning?

A stroke is a disease of the circulatory system caused by the rupturing or the blockage of an artery. A stroke can interfere with your mental performance, you will have problems thinking and remembering, it will change the way you feel or see things. Your feelings will also be altered.

http://www.womensheart.org/content/stroke/what_is_a_stroke.asp

http://brainfoundation.org.au/a-z-of-disorders/107-stroke#lifeafterstroke

4.What is a functional MRI and how does it help us understand brain activity?

Functional MRI stands for functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging; brain imaging technique that scans by measuring magnetic changes in the flow of blood to cells in the brain. The functional MRI will help analyze the anatomy of the brain and what parts are functioning when handling different aspects. It can also help identify bad things such as brain tumors and strokes.

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=fmribrain

5. What is the corpus callosum and what role does it play in your brain's activity?

The corpus callosum is nerve fiber. It connects the left and the right hemispheres of the brain. One of its basic and more important functions is to communicate between the two hemispheres.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/corpus-callosum-function.html

6. What is epilepsy and how might it affect your brain's abilities?

Epilepsy is the tendency to have recurrent seizures. It affects the nervous system and can affect your memory.

 http://www.epilepsy.com/101/ep101_epilepsy

7. What is autism?

Autism is developmental disability, a neurological disorder that affects your brain function and social skills.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/autism/

8. What is Asperger's Syndrome?

Asperger Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder that refers to developmental disabilities. People with this syndrome have a tough time communicating, interacting with others and show social awkwardness 

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/asperger.html

http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/autism-and-asperger-syndrome-an-introduction/what-is-asperger-syndrome.aspx

pictures:

http://www.degreescout.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/sv3.jpg

http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~Brainmd1/brmodelc.gif

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs34/f/2008/294/e/0/Socially_Awkward_by_Dumpysaurus.jpg