3+The+Brain

The Brain Page Savant syndrome is directly related to the individual's nerve functions; the brain of a savant differs greatly from the brain of an average person. Of course, these differences are most likely the reason why such things, like sudden mastery of a certain skill, occur in these people.

** Step Index: ** ** Step 1: ** Answer the opening question. **Step 5:** Follow the link and read the following closing sentence and answer the questions. **Step 6:** Answer the final questions.  ** Step 1: ** 1. What causes a savant to behave differently than the regular person? Discuss your thoughts and form a reason for why you think a savant is different than most people. ** Step 2: ** Watch the video and look at the pictures.
 * Step 2: ** Look at the pictures of the brain and watch the video.
 * Step 3: ** Follow the link and read the following paragraph.
 * Step 4: ** Follow the link and read the following paragraph and answer the question.

media type="youtube" key="3fg75qRdzwo" height="344" width="425" This video gives information about how the brain is used for a savant.

**Step 3:** [|Click this link] After following the link, read the paragraph below. Tying into the difference between savants and the average person, some savant speculations and theories discussed in this website are that the left brain of savants are damaged in some way, so their right brain develops further than normal to make up for the lack of the left brain. This could possibly be the reason why savants possess such unique abilities; their brains are different, resulting in their functioning being different, too.

**Step 4:** [|Click for the reading information] There is another theory which states that all babies may possibly be born with some form of savant syndrome which recedes as social skills are further developed. 1. Do you think it could be possible for someone to have a normal nerve structure, but to maintain savant characteristics because of a lack of the development of social skills? **Step 5:** [|Website on how savants think]  Look at the interesting diagram, showing the difference between a savant's (Kim Peek's) brain and a normal human's brain. 1. Why do you think the difference in the brain structure makes a huge change towards the person's lifestyle? 2. Does the brain seem a lot more complicated than before? = =

** Step 6: **
1. How do you feel about the different theories made by different scientists? Do you agree or disagree? Do you have any theories of your own? 2. Try to imagine yourself as someone with a savant syndrome; what do you imagine it to be like? 3. **Furthermore, can you guess how the brain of a savant relates to** __autism?__ 4. Form a discussion group with your other classmates to discuss the information you have read. Discuss how you interpreted and reacted to the information.

__Bibliography:__**

Shah, Sural. "Autism and Savant Syndrome." __Serendip.__ 24 Feb 2009 .

Treffert, Darold A., Daniel D. Christensen. "Inside the Mind of a Savant." __[|www.mmu.k12.vt.us].__ 24 Feb 2009 [|.

Treffert, Darold A. "Savant Syndrome Islands of Genius." __Wisconsin Medical Society.__ 24 Feb 2009 [|.