A new study of eight child prodigies shows that the children’s strengths may be linked to autism. Of the eight prodigies studied, three were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. When compared to a control group, the prodigies’ group also tended to score higher on tests of autistic traits. In addition, 50 percent of the prodigies had a family member or first- or second-degree relative who had been diagnosed with autism. The study’s first author, Joanne Rusatz, assistant professor of psychology at Ohio State University, Mansfield, believes that the fact that half of the families and three of the eight prodigies surveyed had autism is surprising, given that the odds of autism occurring are only 1 in 120. “Our study found that there is a strong link,” Ruthsatz said, “and our findings suggest that some of the traits of prodigies are the same as those of children with autism, but that the neurostimulant effect is so great that it inhibits these children from exhibiting some of the deficits associated with autism.” The study also found that it was in fact their extraordinary stored memory abilities that boosted their general intelligence scores, but at the same time, they all scored above 99 on the Autism Trait Inventory. For the study, the researchers identified eight child prodigies through the Internet and television, either by curiosities or recommendations. The study included one art prodigy, one math prodigy, four music prodigies and two prodigies who showed considerable talent even after switching fields (one from music to gourmet cooking and the other from music to art). The study included six males and two females. The researchers met with each prodigy individually over a period of two to three days. During this time, the prodigies completed the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test, which consists of several subtests of fluid intelligence, knowledge, quantitative reasoning and visual-spatial ability, and working memory. In addition, the researchers used the Autism Spectrum Rating System, which scores autistic traits based on their level of performance. The scores obtained by the prodigies were used to compare with a control group of 174 adults who were randomly contacted by mail. Ruthsatzs said what was most striking was the data and information proving the presence of autistic traits in these prodigies. When compared to the control group, the prodigies generally scored higher on the Autism Trait Test than the control group, but the average scores were smaller than those obtained by high-functioning autistic individuals diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by communication difficulties, impaired socialization and strong resistance to change. Individuals with Asperger’s syndrome are more likely to have normal intelligence than those with general autism, but they tend to have difficulties with social interaction. These prodigies did score higher on the attention to detail component of the autism rating test than those in the control and Asperger’s syndrome groups. “These prodigies have an absolutely amazing memory for details,” she said. “They don’t miss anything, and that ability naturally helps them achieve the success they have.” Ruthsatz says it wasn’t the three children diagnosed with autism that contributed to this particular finding. In fact, the three children with autism scored an average of 8 on the attention to detail test compared to the average score of 8.5 for the entire group of prodigies. The prodigies scored in the genius category on the IQ test, but they were not all students of exceptional intelligence. Five of the eight of them scored 90 or more on the IQ test, but one scored only 70 while the other scored 79. But just as they scored high on the autism test, these prodigies excelled on one of the subtests of the IQ test. On the IQ test, these gifted teens showed extraordinary working memory skills, scoring over 99 on the working memory test. Working memory is a working system in the brain that allows people to process multiple blocks of information in the brain in a short period of time so that they can complete a task. These findings give us a blueprint for how genius is made, Ruthsatz said. “In summary, what we found is that prodigies have both above-average general intelligence and exceptional working memory, as well as higher autism scores and extraordinary attention to detail,” Ruthsatz said. These results suggest a striking similarity between the prodigies and those with autism scholars. Autistic scholars have both developmental disabilities associated with autism, but also have extraordinary talents or knowledge that are superior to those of the general population. “But while autistic scholars exhibit many of the common deficits of autism, these prodigies do not,” Ruthsatz says.” The question is why.” The answer may be that certain genetic mutations allow the prodigies to have the special talents found in academics but not the deficits found in autistic individuals. But confirmation of the answer will require further research, Ruthsatz said. “Our findings suggest that the geniuses may have a moderated form of autism, and it is actually this that gives them their extraordinary talents.”