Autism and Talent: The beautiful otherness of the autistic mind

Why are talents in music, maths, art or memory so much more common in autism than in any other group? Professor Happé discusses aspects of the autistic mind that may contribute to striking talents. Being less aware of others’ thoughts may allow autistic people to have more original ideas, un-blinkered by prevailing views. It is the autistic eye for detail, however, that seems to be the starting engine for talent, and to explain why genetic influences on individual differences in autistic traits overlap with genetic influences on talent. Professor Francesca Happe, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London. Chair: Professor Cathryn Lewis