Boy with the Incredible Brain- Savant Autism- Neuropsychiatry April 13, 2009
Posted by Joselyn Todd in Uncategorized.trackback
Today we will finish the series about the “Boy with The Incredible Brain”
Video 4 (10 minutes):
Video 5 (10 minutes)
In the discussion forum on this website answer the following questions:
1. If you could be a savant such as Daniel what things in life would be made easier? What types of things would you like to have “amazing powers” to do? Make sure these are practical items in your current life- not like flying or telekinesis! Write one short paragraph.
2. What are the drawbacks to being a savant (think about Daniel and his handicaps)? Would you trade having these handicaps for the gift of “amazing quantitative abilities, music abilities, etc.? Write one short paragraph.
3. Do a search on the web and summarize two other resources that you can find on Autism and and medical information found re: neuropsychiatry.
1. If you could be a savant such as Daniel what things in life would be made easier? What types of things would you like to have “amazing powers” to do? Write one short pargraph.
I would be able to look at something and tell the weight and size of the object and things such as capacity for larger things. I could also design buildings/classrooms to fit the most amount of people and be more useful, space wise.
2. What are the drawbacks to being a savant (think about Daniel and his handicaps)? Would you trade having these handicaps for the gift of “amazing quantitative abilities, music abilities, etc.? Write one short paragraph.
I would just want the ability to know exact quantities/measurements without measuring etc.
3. Do a search on the web and summarize two other resources that you can find on Autism and and medical information found re: neuropsychiatry.
1. If you could be a savant such as Daniel what things in life would be made easier? What types of things would you like to have “amazing powers” to do? Write one short pargraph.
I would like to be able to remember everything from my life, every event and fact learned, therefore I would be a genius and be able to discover many new ideas in the science world.
2. What are the drawbacks to being a savant (think about Daniel and his handicaps)? Would you trade having these handicaps for the gift of “amazing quantitative abilities, music abilities, etc.? Write one short paragraph.
Some drawbacks would be that you never have to learn stuff, you already know things, and you are always pressured to know these by the people who know you are a savant. I would give up musical abilities for this trait.
3. Do a search on the web and summarize two other resources that you can find on Autism and and medical information found re: neuropsychiatry.
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_home
Autism is a trait developed in the first three years of ones life which effects ones ability to communicate with others.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm
Autism is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests.
1. If you could be a savant such as Daniel what things in life would be made easier? What types of things would you like to have “amazing powers” to do? Write one short pargraph.
I would like to know everything about everything. If you knew everything then you would have the easiest time in schools. This would then allow for more time for other activities.
2. What are the drawbacks to being a savant (think about Daniel and his handicaps)? Would you trade having these handicaps for the gift of “amazing quantitative abilities, music abilities, etc.? Write one short paragraph.
I would not trade because I wouldnt like being in his situation. I would much rather be how I am now then to trade for his skillz.
3. Do a search on the web and summarize two other resources that you can find on Autism and and medical information found re: neuropsychiatry.
Autism is mainly a genetic thing. It happens because of mutations in the genes. It affects many parts in the brain.
1. If you could be a savant such as Daniel what things in life would be made easier? What types of things would you like to have “amazing powers” to do? Write one short pargraph.
Being a savant with superior brain powers such as Daniel’s would greatly reduce the stress of everyday life. Being able to calculate the chances and outcomes of different events would most likely cause your choices to be correct more often than normal increasing your quality of life. I think an amazing power to have would be one where your occipital capacity was higher than normal allowing you to see a larger range of the light spectrum than normal, possibly allowing you to see Infrared and UV rays. This arsenal of visual patterns would allow one to tap into night vision and would have the potential to expand your memory by providing a wider array of color cues that could be matched with specific memories or events.
2. What are the drawbacks to being a savant (think about Daniel and his handicaps)? Would you trade having these handicaps for the gift of “amazing quantitative abilities, music abilities, etc.? Write one short paragraph.
Though not recognized as a medical disorder, savants are typically thought of as individuals with both a developmental disease such as Autism, and an area of superior cerebral capacity such as Daniel’s ability to perform extensive mathematical calculations and quickly learn new languages. Though one is considered good and the other considered bad, both ‘symptoms’ have drawbacks in a savants life, usually their social life. The developmental disease makes it harder for a savant to connect with his peers and sustain long term friendships. The area of superior cerebral capacity can spawn dislike or even hatred among peers due to jealousy.
3. Do a search on the web and summarize the medical information found about Autism from two resources.
Autism is a brain development disorder, hypothesized to be genetic, that affects one’s social development, communication and behavior. Autistic patients lack the instinctual intuition that allows a person without Autism to understand the intentions of others in, and context of, a social situation. Not only this, but they oftentimes develop unusual vocal patterns and/or use strange gestures while speaking. Finally, those with Autism may suffer from sort of repetitive behavior such as OCD or Sterotypy.