Autism and Talent - Professor Francesca Happé

Newly elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Professor Francesca Happé, presents her research on "Autism and Talent".

Professor Happé FMedSci was presenting as part of the Academy of Medical Sciences New Fellow's Admissions Day 2017, held on 28 June. On this day, the Academy welcomed 40 newly elected Fellows for their formal admission.

The day included presentations from four new Fellows on on their current research work: Professor Giovanna Mallucci, Professor Andrew Biankin, Professor Francesca Happé and Professor Thomas Williams. (All available on this channel.)

Professor Happé of King's College London is supported by the Wellcome Trust, MRC, Economic and Social Research Council and Autistica.

For more information, visit

Find the Academy of Medical Sciences online:

[meekoosh]

The trick is to help them find where their unique skills can be used. I suppose that’s for anyone but even more critical for those with ASD

[indridcold]

Not all with autism are creative, intelligent, empathic, nor gifted in some manner. I am living proof of this. There is nothing outstanding about me. I have no creativity, slightly below average intelligence, can not detect the emotions of others in the slightest, nor am I good at anything at all. Yet I have Aspburger's Syndrome, schizophrenia, and clinical depression. About the only thing I can do better than almost all people is do things completely alone that most require help. Since others could detect that I am defective, I have never had friends. Thus, I taught myself to do things completely alone that many say can not be done without help. I require not help from anybody for anything. I guess that just makes me antisocial.

[VanessaDayleRaeWaggoner]

I am an aspie with ADHD, OCD and dyscalculia. I consider myself an extrovert yet socializing with neurotypicals is draining to me, actually painful and I find myself unable to interact with them at all, majority of the time. I am much more creative and I hate small talk and dancing around truth. I despise liars and I love authenticity.

[JamieHumeCreative]

It;s the social codes. The time spent learning the social codes by NTs is much much higher than ours and additionally, we don;t care for it. Say what you mean, mean what you say is how I prefer to experience communication generally. Be clear, . It;s difficult to read the multiple contradictions that NT's play with. To me it;s a waste of energy I'd rather enjoy applying to other things.

[spanixtanspanixtan]

It was about time; but finally the subtitles I sent you 9 months ago are there. Just where I decided to put the presentation in my own channel, given your indifference.
Thank you, however for quoting me as author of the subtitles.

[ernestbidon]

at 15:14, they missed the screw that is at a different angle.

Yes, I am.

[bluehairkim]

How much of face blindness/mind blindness comes from iContact avoidance? What creates the iContact avoidance? Is it possible that it’s the mismatch between what the person is saying and what their body language is saying/facial expressions?

[markfennell]

Autism is easy to understand, but not to the NT's.

What we call "autistic" is actually an advanced mind and advanced soul, compared to the majority of society.

1. We are very honest. Thus, her example of knowing when people lie, and how to manipulate others, is something that other people do. The more advanced soul will not even consider such things. And is therefore surprised to discover someone is deliberately cruel.

2. Focusing on one thing is actually studying the process. When the young "autistic" is watching the water drops, or other processes, he is actually observing as a scientist. Observing, mentally recording, and asking himself questions. This is the mind of a curious scientific person.

3. Not speaking until later. I use this phrase, because it applies in many ways. Autistic people are generally thinkers. Enormous amount of thinking happening, at all times, from the earliest ages. He will only consider speaking when he has a conclusion, or something important to say.

4. Intellectual and Creative Talents. Again, this is because of an advanced mind, which is always observing, thinking, and processing. Usually on the favorite topics. This leads to innovations and art.

5. Talking only about their topic of interest. This is actually an NT trait, more than Autistic. Many of us with advanced minds are extremely bored and repulsed by the topics of conversation of most people. They don't realize just how much we get bored or aggravated by their topics.

The only difference is that the NTs consider their topics as the normal topics and activities. They are bored by the topics of the Autistic, and the Autistics are equally bored by the topics of the NTs.

For example, many NTs enjoy gossip, emotional drama, and power dynamics. Autistics are interested in science, technology, great art, and big ideas. Our topics don't overlap.

[Skoopyghost]

I'm told that I have really mild PDD-NOS. I don't lack social skills. I'm ecentric, I have to use logical thinking to show empathy. I relate more to high functioning sociopaths than I do with autistic people.

[randallstanhope]

"and it had to be a Biro" <memory ballpoint pen!

[ingridmorgan]

This idea that all autistic persons have incredible talent is so off. I’m very average. I’m a linear thinker. And that gets me in to trouble because I pass as NT. I’ve lived a life with people forever misunderstanding me. There is safety in silence and limited socialization.

[spanixtanspanixtan]

No chance of translating this video for Spanish speaking people. ''Contributing with subtitles is not allowed''. The same old story. Should I talk of cultural colonization and monopoly? or just go ahead and post the translation in my channel? (and maybe get kicked off youtube after a copyright warning).
I just ask once again for permission to post it in my channel. Contributions may take months to be given the OK and published; that is, if they are ever revised, and not just forgotten and dumped).

Maybe somebody cares to answer.

[stanleyklein]

Theory of mind is (1)not a theory held by the person and (2) is a typical false analogy foisted on the public by psychological research.

[spanixtanspanixtan]

Its January 14th, 2019. More than a month ago I submitted the Spanish translation, as a free contribution. But it´s still waiting in a long line; to be 'reviewed'?. We are talking about scientific information, mainly on autism and Asperger, that has been shelved, not added to the videos as subtitles after a short check.
So, I tried, and my efforts have been useless. Obviously I gave up translating those scientific videos, quite disappointed, amazed, outraged, bitter....After struggling (in an naive, idealistic attempt) against a system that really freezes the process of subtitling into non English languages...In spite of all that ''Your contributions" option..
I wonder if that is just a flaw in YouTube or a rejection to see autism research translated to other languages.

As I had already said: if you are not an English speaker, scientific contents are not available to you. An that is so even in cases as Francesca Happé, of French parents, still no translations even into French.

Francesca Happé even gave a talk in France, organized by the French society for autism. You can check by yourselves: she just apologizes for not using the language of her parents... in the country of her parents... and invited for French parents of autistic children, who had to hire simultaneous interpreters... an expensive and not completely accurate way ( I have both knowledge and experience on that)

The same happens with the interviews and talks by Uta Frith: she moved to the UK and uses just English as a work language. Even if she graduated in Germany in her youth and started both her career and research there: ironically enough, professor Uta Frith was the one who translated Hans Aspergers´s files from German into English.

So...Despite all promises to allow access to this crucial information non English speakers the "voluntary contributions" system in youtube doesn´t seem to be of much use.
Let´s everyone draw their own consequences.

[theobolt]

Okay, I get it. Autism is hot. And people start to find out that some autists are super cool, with their special talents. But... what about the ones for whom it's only chaotic? Who are only more vulnrable due to hypersensitivity? What about them? I have Asperger's and I'm not special talented! To the contrary almost! And there are so many more like me! What about us?

[bluehairkim]

Hyperfocus equals special talent.

Is there a way to direct a child’s hyperfocus? Is there a way to direct an adult‘s hyper focus? Create superhumans?

[olejoergenmalm]

Severe immaturity and dyscalculia because of lack of ability of abstract thinking aren't exactly "talents".