So you've watched Rain Man, read Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, and your favorite character on The Big Bang theory is Sheldon. You're astounded by the quirky charm of Raymond, Oskar, and Sheldon--who, aptly, have quirky yet lovable names. But is every savant the perfect blend of lovable and curious? Moreover, is it appropriate to assume that every person with a learning or social disability is a savant? The answer is absolutely not. Despite the undeniable charm of savants, they are not an extremely prevalent majority in population. Only around 10% of those diagnosed on the autism spectrum are considered savants. Moreover, only 1% of those diagnosed with some other form of mental retardation are considered savants. Assuming that all autistic or mentally-challenged individuals have some unique, incredible skill is dehumanizing. Society should learn to appreciate humans for humans: abilities, disabilities, and all.
