Darold Treffert M.D. talks about myths about autism and savant artists

“The remarkable abilities of the artist with autism surface because of their autism, not in spite of it.” Darold Treffert, M.D.

It is unclear exactly when the first art by a person with autism appeared. Some say it dates back to earliest times. Whenever it first happened, the world ever since has been brightened by the work of these unique individuals who possess such remarkable talent. This book is vivid testimony to their extraordinary abilities. Their art is a gift to us.

There are some particular things to remember about these artists and their work.

First, art by persons with autism stands on its own. Many artists with autism demonstrate superior skills by any standard. Their art work is spectacular and pleasing not just because it was created by someone with a disability, but it is spectacular and pleasing in its own right. Its merits astound. Look at the drawings and paintings in this book. To term this “outsider art,” as the unenlightened may do, is elitist, demeaning and discriminatory. While certain of these artists lack formal training, they are most certainly capable of creating “insider art;” their lack of formal training may actually be part of what makes their work spectacular.

Second, in my view and in the opinion of many others as well, the remarkable abilities of the artist with autism surface because of their autism, not in spite of it. Many of their unique abilities co-exist alongside certain of their “dis-abilities.” In short, these skills are not merely compensatory, nor are they the product of continual reinforcement. Rather, they are integral to the “disorder,” consistent with the spectrum’s unusual sensitivity to various sensory stimuli, superior visual memory, precocious performance impulses and innate access to what has been called a “picture lexicon” or the “rules of art.”

Third, these skills are not accidental, extraneous or frivolous. They represent the language – sometimes the only language – by which these individuals are able to communicate. Their creations convey their impressions, thoughts and emotions, when typical language and expression is limited or, in some cases, all together absent. Just as important and critical, these abilities serve as what I call, a conduit toward growth, in which language acquisition, social comfort, and daily living skills, are all enhanced.

This artwork not only enhances our lives as its beneficiaries, but also enhances the lives of the artists themselves: training the talent helps ameliorate other limitations. For many years I have witnessed this marvelous transition in many of the artists with autism I have had the honor to follow. Know too that, with these overall gains in functioning, there is no dreaded trade-off of special abilities whatsoever. Rather, both the special skills, language, social, and daily living skills advance simultaneously. Rest assured, one need not fear the loss of special abilities as a result of paying attention to them, much less other developmental needs.

Fourth, another myth is that artists with autism, while demonstrating spectacular duplication and replication skills, lack creativity, is just that: a myth. Artists with autism can definitely be creative. Indeed, having had the opportunity to follow a number of these artists with autism over the years, I have observed a predictable and marvelous pathway to creativity in these special people. They begin their artistic careers with striking replicas of what they have seen and stored, usually requiring no model or constant reference piece. An initial glance is often sufficient, to foster creation of dazzling replications, replete with minute detail.

On occasion, some improvisation appears – a telephone pole deleted there, a new tree placed here – and the original replication begins to be transformed. Then, along the way, comes interpretation, free form style, or some other form of creativity expressed in fresh, original work.

Thus is the path from literal copying, to improvisation, to free form creation, traveled. Some artists prefer to stay with replication, but many go beyond copying, as stunning as that can be, to improvising and then creating something entirely new.

I have seen musicians who are autistic follow the same path. First they play back exactly what they have heard, immediately committing it to memory. Then they begin improvising. Finally, after a time, entirely original compositions emerge. Research studies comparing childhood musicians who are autistic with a control group of non-autistic musicians with some musical training, show “musical inventiveness” to be higher in the group with autism. When compared to neuro-typical control groups – even groups with training – based on my observations, I expect the finding of increased inventiveness to surface among artistic children with autism.

Another myth that begs discreditation, is that the art of persons with autism lacks emotion. This myth suggests that, while the works of artists with autism may demonstrate incredible skills in replicating, even unusual color or technique, the artwork is emotionally flat. Not so. Look at the works in this book. Even artists with autism who may lack the ability to show emotion in any other way, brightly and forcefully share their emotions through their art. For some of these artists their art presents a way for them to venture out emotionally for the first time. For those of us who are attentive, their art provides a link to better understanding and communicating with these remarkable individuals.

Finally, so importantly, behind each of these artists is a mom or dad, sister or brother, teacher, caretaker or other individual who has been integral to discovering, nurturing, encouraging and celebrating the abilities of these artists on the autism spectrum. Love is a good therapist too. Seeing a Dad celebrate—literally—his son’s work, witnessing the “that’s my girl” pride in a Mom’s conversation about her daughter’s work, is heartwarming and inspiring.

I have been interested in autism and special abilities as a doctor and a scientist. During my journey with these artists and their equally amazing families, teachers and friends, I have learned as much about “matters of the heart” and things of “human interest,” as I have about disorders, synapses or circuits, and other topics of “scientific interest.”

At the art exhibit in Wisconsin titled, “Windows of Genius: Artwork of the Prodigious Savant,” hundreds visited– townspeople from all walks of life, and students from kindergarten to graduate school. All marveled at the art, and were amazed at what each of the exhibit’s artists could do. In the process of getting to know the artists better, through their art and discussions about them, appreciation steadily grew for who each artist is as a person. Along the way a clearer understanding of autism also evolved. Everyone gained from that event.

My hope for this book is the same. By seeing the art and learning about the artists, readers and society at large will focus less and less on autism and its “dis-abilities,”appreciating and celebrating more than ever, the unique abilities we all possess.

I don’t know when the first artwork by a person with autism appeared. I do know that marvelous capacity continues and I appreciate that we, along with these remarkable artists, can walk a path together as its fortunate beneficiaries.

From “The Art of Autism: Shifting Perceptions,” Debra Hosseini, page 30-31. Buy it here!

Darold A. Treffert, M.D. is the author of “Extraordinary People: Understanding Savant Syndrome” and “Islands of Genius”. His website is www.daroldtreffert.com.