The Prodigy’s Cousin: The family link between Autism and extraordinary talent

Full of amazing stories, here is a fascinating new theory on the scientific link between autism and gifted children.

‘ AN IMPORTANT BOOK’ TEMPLE GRANDIN

Over the course of her career, psychologist Joanne Ruthsatz has assembled the largest-ever research sample of child prodigies. Their accomplishments are epic. One could reproduce radio tunes by ear on a toy guitar at two years old. Another was a thirteen-year-old cooking sensation. And what Ruthsatz’s investigation revealed is noth-ing short of astonishing. Though the prodigies aren’t autistic, many have autistic family members. Each prodigy has an extraordinary memory and a keen eye for detail-well-known but often-overlooked strengths associated with autism.

Ruthsatz proposes a startling possibility- might the abilities of child prodigies stem from a genetic link with autism? And could prodigies - children who have many of the strengths of autism but few of the challenges - be the key to a long-awaited autism breakthrough?

This inspiring book about extraordinary children, indomitable parents and a researcher’s unorthodox hunch is essential reading for anyone interested in the brain and human potential.