The Relationship Between Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits and Exceptional Abilities: Insights Into the Savant Syndrome

Individuals with ASD feature extensively in discussions on savant syndrome and seem to be the most prevalent group among the savant population (Bennett & Heaton, 2017; Clark, 2001; Skuse, 2011). It is important to understand the relationship between ASD and the savant syndrome as the two are closely connected (Boso et al., 2010; Clark, 2001). A ‘special ability’ according to Soulieres et al, (2010), consists of a peak in cognitive abilities that contrast differently from the measured overall intelligence of that person, usually with a diagnosis of ASD