More often than not, the human brain's most surprising abilities are exhibited precisely when anatomical or physiological deficiencies arise. Take, for example, savants – people who have mental abilities that can only be described as superhuman, but who are otherwise severely impaired in everyday cognitive functions and social interactions. At first glance, Michael (Mikey) seems like an average seven-year-old boy; he is thin, small, with large almond-shaped green eyes. Mikey rarely speaks, and the atypical occasions in which he does is to hum the sound of a nearby bird. However, Mikey is anything but average; in fact, he is an extraordinary boy. Being only seven years old, Mikey plays the piano, organ, violin and cello. His prodigious memory is palpable by the precise replicas of Vivaldi, Mozart and Beethoven played from memory, as well as by his exceptional ability to recall all the capitals of the world. He likes order, prefers solitude and is intrigued by musical symbols. He feels music, smells colors and sees sounds, a rare neurological phenomenon known as synesthesia1. Neuropsychologist Dr. J. Shea Ph.D MD, of Mount Sinai Medical Center, in 2004 diagnosed Mikey, aged four at the time, as an autistic savant, changing the entire course of his and his mother's lives , and bringing him to Florida, his first prodigy. To understand Mikey's condition as an autistic savant, one must discuss the pathophysiology, symptomatology, theories and treatment of autism and savantism. Additionally, the differences between savantism, a syndrome, and autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder, will be examined in depth as a psychological and neurological deficit; and what's more, the standards, statistics and theories of intelligence will... middle of paper ... yes, I could only hope that he will never stop playing the keys of a piano . Works Cited Bainbridge, Dr. Carol. Guide to gifted children. Brochure. Indiana, 1999. Mark H. Beers, MD. “The Merck Manual of Medical Information.” Mark H. Beers, MD. The Merck Manual of Medical Information. Whitehouse Station NJ: Merck & CO., INC, 2003. 1630-1631. McPhee, Stephen J and Maxine A Papadakis. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2010. San Francisco: McGraw Hill, 2010.Org., Autism Speaks. What is autism? Princeton, January 2011. Renato, Fosci. “Politics and Naturalism in the 20th Century Psychology of Alfred Binet.” History of psychology. 2006. 267-89. Shea, Dr. J. Ph.D MD Claudia Hernandez. February 19, 2011.Treffert, Darold. A. Extraordinary people. Wisconsin: Backinprint.com, 2006. Webster, Merriam. Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary. New York: Merriam Webster, 2007.