About This Site

By Darold Treffert, MD

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Video excerpt from Expedition ins Gehirn (Beautiful Minds: A Voyage Into the Brain) Shown here with the permission of Colourfield Productions, Dortmund, Germany [Windows Media Files — approx. 90 seconds] Video 1   High Resolution (broadband Internet connection) Video 1   Low Resolution (dial-up Internet connection)

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The path leading to the creation of the Savant Syndrome Web site, hosted by the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation, was quite a convoluted one. On May 19, 1983 the First Interstate Bank of Denver sponsored the World Premier of the sculpture artistry of Alonzo Clemons, (described in more detail elsewhere on this site). The exhibition featured 30 of Alonzo's bronze sculptures and unveiled a life-sized piece, Three Frolicking Foals. Clemons debut was largely sponsored by The Drisol Gallery of Denver, who had in three years helped Clemons establish a reputation that normally took 10 to 12 years to achieve. Pam Driscol, owner of the Gallery, thought that perhaps Clemons' success could benefit a good cause — supporting the recognition of and research on Savant Syndrome. She contacted Doctor Darold Treffert, who was already heavily involved with research on this remarkable condition, and after some discussion, the Foundation for the Study of Savant Syndrome was created. A portion of the proceeds from Clemons' World Premier exhibition was used to establish this Foundation through the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation.

The Foundation for the Study of Savant Syndrome initially acted as a clearinghouse for dissemination of information about savant syndrome to the media and others, and answered inquiries about Savant Syndrome from interested students, teachers, families, and professionals. At first this was done primarily through articles, faxes, phone calls and mailings. In 1997, Treffert realized that the Internet provided a natural way to offer much greater visibility and access, and so the Savant Syndrome Web site was launched. The site is a reliable resource for information about these extraordinary people and their extraordinary skills and talents and its popularity continues to grow. Students, families, teachers, therapists, media and many others from around the world visit the site on a daily basis, getting answers to their questions. The site continues to be hosted by the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation.

Thanks in part to the work of the Foundation for the Study of Savant Syndrome, the extraordinary skills and talents of savants around the world continue to draw increased attention. Research on the condition continues as well, with clues emerging that help us better understand savant syndrome and the far-reaching implications this remarkable condition has for better understanding human brain function — and human potential — overall.


For more information, please contact:
Darold A. Treffert, MD
St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry
University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison
Personal Web site: http://www.daroldtreffert.com
e-mail: savants@charter.net