Neurologist Oliver Sacks who found the deaf could “hear,” the blind could “see,” the catatonic could dance, and the mute could sing, died of cancer on Sunday.
My own investigation—published in peer reviewed journals within the last several years—furnishes evidence that highly sensitive individuals are much more likely than the general population to report feeling an unseen presence, to see or sense energy around people, or to otherwise note anomalous goings-on.
People known as “acquired savants” have spectacular abilities that emerge suddenly, usually after a brain injury. In these cases—as well as in the case of child prodigies—the individual “knows things they never learned” (the memorable phrase of savant syndrome expert Dr. Darold Treffert).
Among child prodigies, there is an over-representation of complicated pregnancies and premature births. Many child prodigies show an increased emotional sensitivity.