The Genetics of Autistic Savants Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Genetics of Autistic Savants - Essay Example For one to fall under the classification of a genius, he or she had to attain at least 140 points in the IQ test (Lykken  N. D). Concurrently, there were individuals who, for example, could do rare things such as quickly identifying a particular date of a historic event after reading vast reminders on history once. Others could engage any musical composition after just a distinct introduction to music. These were rare cases and the people who displayed these abilities had characteristics such as lessened aptitude and were dependent on other people for sustenance and general care. Psychologists and researchers classified such populace in a group referred to as autistic savants. It is crucial to note just like Lykken’s indication that autistic savants are remarkable individuals but they are not geniuses. However, their abilities display that the brain can have an outstanding feature such as autism. In Lykken’s report, it is keen to note that children with autistic condi tion behaved in peculiar ways such as showing no interest in their fellow humans’ behavior and actions. Subsequently, they failed to copy various traits like communication and socialization hence poor communication among other characteristics. In 1943, as noted by Trachtman’s â€Å"Background and history of autism in relation to vision care†, Leo Kanner was the first individual to make observations of autistic behavior (Trachtman, 2008). He made a detailed report on the same and renamed the behavior as autistic other than childhood schizophrenia, as it was previously termed. In 1944, Asperger, another distinguished scientists, made similar observations on the same behavior and published his findings in a German-language Journal. It is crucial to note that in Asperger’s report, he described children having milder behavioral disorders on comparison to Kanner’s description on the same ideologies. Recognition, understanding, and communication formed th e triad of deficiencies that children who had autism faced. Autism, since its discovery, has been a condition with peculiar traits and a difficult to find treatment. However, there were various treatments used in earlier years, and they included the use of tranquilizers, LSD, and developmental remediation. Autistic savants, according to Lykken’s report are outstanding individuals who through their characters display a crucial fact about the structure of the brain (Lykken, ND). The topic, â€Å"The genetics of autistic savants†, is of considerable importance, especially in the medical world (Connor, 2010). This is according to Connor in his article, â€Å"Autism and genetics: A breakthrough that sheds light on a medical mystery† (Connor, 2010). Connor explains that scientists have linked autism to DNA thus adding more information as to the causative of the behavioral disorder. In relation to Connor’s article, the link between DNA and autism disorder was a mystery; hence, the topic under focus is important as it tries to explain if the discoveries are linked the cause of autism disorder to DNA (Connor, 2010). In addition to this, the literature review will tend to display the future of autism and DNA. Status Currently, with reference to â€Å"National Institute of Child Health and Human Development†, autism is a neurobiological development disorder that prevails throughout a person’