Dr. Darold Treffert is a retired psychiatrist and current researcher in the fields of savant syndrome and autism. Darold has appeared on 60 Minutes, CBS Evening News, McNeil/Lehrer Newshour, Larry King, Today, Donahue, Oprah, Discovery Channel. Dateline, CNN and a number of documentaries in the United States and other countries. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Time, People, Newsweek, USA Today and Scientific American. Darold has also published two books on savant syndrome and they can be found here and here. He also served as a consultant for the 1988 movie Rain Man which depicts the life of an autistic savant.

In this episode we discuss savant syndrome, the use of psychedelics in psychiatry, paranormal experiences of autistics and many other topics. The Treffert Center was founded in Dr. Treffert's name and can be accessed at www.treffertcenter.com.

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The State of the Universe is an accessible science and social podcast hosted by Astrophysicist Brendan Drachler. Listen to Brendan and other renowned members of the scientific community discuss and explain the cutting edge research occurring across the world today!