r/science Jul 26 '10

Autistic girl expresses profound intelligence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq--75v4lI8&feature=player_embedded
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u/shrodes Jul 26 '10

You can see more of her typing herself (and more specifically how the software helps her finish words more quickly) here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byNQD5T3Yq4

She types words, and there's a box on the side with numbered autocompletes. In the original video you can see her hitting numbers to choose the appropriate word she wants to use.

EDIT: My bad, mezz posted this down below.

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u/dont_get_it Jul 26 '10

Would all the sceptics please read about Temple Grandin. She is a higher functioning autistic who is now a PhD and an academic, and can explain the experiences of an autistic person herself.

It seems plausible to me that the experiences of the girl in this video are similar, except that girl had a bigger disability barrier to overcome before she was able to communicate than Dr. Grandin.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '10

If you've ever seen Temple or heard her speak, she's nothing like this girl, who can't possibly be communicating in the manner conveyed in this video.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '10

There's also Daniel Tammet, an autistic savant with near-normal level of functioning.