BMC Psychiatry June 2020 PMID 32605557

A case of co-occuring synesthesia, autism, prodigious talent and strong structural brain connectivity.

Andreas Riedel, Simon Maier, Kerstin Wenzler, Bernd Feige, Ludger Tebartz van Elst, Sven Bölte, Janina Neufeld

Mentions

28
Peak: 7 in Jul 2020
across 4 sources since Jun 2020

Extended reach

189,765
potential audience

Total likes

141

Video views

2,346

Mentions per month

Jun 2020 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter22 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts
  • News2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group expresses strong support and curiosity about the research, exemplified by phrases like 'turning disability into a heroic asset' and sharing personal experiences with synesthesia, reflecting both admiration and a desire to explore its practical applications. The tone varies from scientific and thoughtful to enthusiastic and personally motivated, contributing to a generally positive outlook on the article's significance.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the idea that this case of co-occurring synesthesia and autism highlights valuable insights into neurodiversity and potential talents.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high interest, with many referencing specific traits like pattern recognition, language skills, and neural connectivity.

EngagementModerate engagement

There is moderate engagement, with some users sharing personal experiences and predictions, indicating a deeper thought process.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest a positive view of the research's potential to reshape perceptions of autism and synesthesia, but the overall influence remains emerging.

Abstract in brief

  • This case study describes a young transsexual man with Asperger Syndrome who experiences synesthesia, has a prodigious talent for learning languages, and shows increased brain connectivity in areas related to visual processing, emotion, and memory.
  • The individual's vivid color sensations are triggered by various stimuli like letters, sounds, and emotions, which seem to help him organize information and enhance language learning abilities.
  • Brain imaging and EEG experiments suggest that his synesthetic experiences involve unique neural mechanisms different from typical visual processing, highlighting a possible link between synesthesia, exceptional talents, and autism.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Michelle Dawson
@autismcrisis · X

An autistic "who experiences multiple types of synesthesia and seems to have an extraordinary talent for learning languages" https://t.co/bm2GGZbZ95 case study, with MRI & EEG, free

Jun 30, 2020 · 15 likes · 9 shares · 9,267 followers View post →
Cher Scarlett
@cherthedev · X

@JacobMGEvans I think this is the same thing and hmmmm: https://t.co/0f1hhYLpgt

Jun 17, 2021 · 3 likes · 49,072 followers View post →
Andrew Solomon
@Andrew_Solomon · X

RT @autismcrisis: An autistic "who experiences multiple types of synesthesia and seems to have an extraordinary talent for learning languages" https://t.co/xlWBTIngDk case study, with MRI & EEG, free

Jul 6, 2020 · 3 likes · 21,468 followers View post →
Richard MacLean
@MacleanRico · X

**Neurodivergent Edge**: ASD synesthetes (17–19% prevalence) excel at pattern recognition (*BMC Psychiatry*). The suit’s *Aegis Veil* (95% impact diffusion) and threat sense enhance their detail-oriented focus, turning “disability” into a heroic asset.[](https://t.co/K3IQ24wc7y)

Aug 30, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 341 followers View post →
Richard MacLean
@MacleanRico · X

(*BMC Psychiatry*, 2020).[](https://t.co/K3IQ24wc7y)

Aug 30, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 341 followers View post →
RILabSci
@RILabSci · X

@QueenDissidence @red_kayak1966 @DrEricDing @JamesonDaniels https://t.co/RX53h942a1

Feb 6, 2022 · 1 like · 1,012 followers View post →

All mentions

Richard MacLean
@RichardPMacLean · X

RT @MacleanRico: **Neurodivergent Edge**: ASD synesthetes (17–19% prevalence) excel at pattern recognition (*BMC Psychiatry*). The suit’s *…

Aug 30, 2025 · 1 share · 9,907 followers View post →
Richard MacLean
@MacleanRico · X

**Neurodivergent Edge**: ASD synesthetes (17–19% prevalence) excel at pattern recognition (*BMC Psychiatry*). The suit’s *Aegis Veil* (95% impact diffusion) and threat sense enhance their detail-oriented focus, turning “disability” into a heroic asset.[](https://t.co/K3IQ24wc7y)

Aug 30, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 341 followers View post →
Richard MacLean
@RichardPMacLean · X

RT @MacleanRico: (*BMC Psychiatry*, 2020).[](https://t.co/K3IQ24wc7y)

Aug 30, 2025 · 1 share · 9,907 followers View post →
Richard MacLean
@MacleanRico · X

(*BMC Psychiatry*, 2020).[](https://t.co/K3IQ24wc7y)

Aug 30, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 341 followers View post →
Stephanie King - savantlab.org (link in bio)
@surrealsavant · X

@KordingLab https://t.co/7aMPajy5Qz I'll see your 'number sense' and raise you a transexual with synesthesia and prodigious language skills

Jul 28, 2023 · 1 like · 331 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

@defnotbeka and I mean literally screams, I experience a synesthetic effect when looking at Zuckerberg that feels more like a sound than a visual. Aiming it inward, I have made predictions about how my brain is wired from these traits in myself https://t.co/gjjsEXSbz2

Jun 18, 2023 · 6,708 followers View post →
echo
@echodynamis · X

Source https://t.co/dUqlDvIWTo https://t.co/2g5CXaU811 https://t.co/38TeUYgpXT https://t.co/VZy6kw0mHg https://t.co/C4PxtyTT6m https://t.co/drxpAb2mKp https://t.co/BYK917YbO0 I’ve investigated this topic since 2018 so it’s not just based on these, you don’t learn this in 1 day

May 2, 2023 · 1,869 followers View post →
Lillian
@Gifted_ND · X

Whose got #Synesthesia? I can use mine to get downloads of information on people and situations. It's amazing. Why are we not teaching each other how to turn #ASD into #skills. This is the stuff that makes life fun! Tell me about yours! https://t.co/dseiI39AXF

Oct 4, 2022 · 60 followers View post →
Paradigm29s
@Paradigm29s · X

#synesthesia https://t.co/1KUbPFuFHg

Aug 21, 2022 · 43 followers View post →
The Autistic Educator ND ÂûDHD, PDA, Deaf.
@Theautisticedu1 · X

@dlew919 @LennaLeprena @YouTube https://t.co/2H6DsfjkJe

Feb 26, 2022 · 1 share · 2,913 followers View post →
Starling
@YourStarlingTTV · X

https://t.co/sL4VrPSxJG

Feb 8, 2022 · 1,044 followers View post →
RILabSci
@RILabSci · X

@QueenDissidence @red_kayak1966 @DrEricDing @JamesonDaniels https://t.co/RX53h942a1

Feb 6, 2022 · 1 like · 1,012 followers View post →
Cher Scarlett
@cherthedev · X

@JacobMGEvans I think this is the same thing and hmmmm: https://t.co/0f1hhYLpgt

Jun 17, 2021 · 3 likes · 49,072 followers View post →
Andrew Solomon
@Andrew_Solomon · X

RT @autismcrisis: An autistic "who experiences multiple types of synesthesia and seems to have an extraordinary talent for learning languages" https://t.co/xlWBTIngDk case study, with MRI & EEG, free

Jul 6, 2020 · 3 likes · 21,468 followers View post →
#Autism
@Autism_Journal · X

A case of co-occuring synesthesia, autism, prodigious talent and strong structural brain connectivity. https://t.co/3xDuZnqNkm #PubMed #Autism

Jul 2, 2020 · 388 followers View post →
gail simmons
@jurylady5 · X

RT @autismcrisis: An autistic "who experiences multiple types of synesthesia and seems to have an extraordinary talent for learning languag…

Jul 1, 2020 · 9 shares · 18,400 followers View post →
Debra Aucott
@AucottDebra · X

RT @autismcrisis: An autistic "who experiences multiple types of synesthesia and seems to have an extraordinary talent for learning languag…

Jul 1, 2020 · 9 shares · 45 followers View post →
Adam Hunt
@RealAdamHunt · X

Rather bizarre state of affairs when the words 'prodigious talent' don't surprise you in the description of a 'disease'... Autism is way overdue a rethink https://t.co/xs0eYGDJqQ

Jul 1, 2020 · 2,316 followers View post →
Tessa van Leeuwen
@tesvlee · X

RT @autismcrisis: An autistic "who experiences multiple types of synesthesia and seems to have an extraordinary talent for learning languag…

Jul 1, 2020 · 9 shares · 372 followers View post →
Simon Baron-Cohen
@sbaroncohen · X

RT @autismcrisis: An autistic "who experiences multiple types of synesthesia and seems to have an extraordinary talent for learning languag…

Jul 1, 2020 · 9 shares · 48,565 followers View post →
Nicole LeBlanc
@nleblanc12 · X

RT @autismcrisis: An autistic "who experiences multiple types of synesthesia and seems to have an extraordinary talent for learning languag…

Jun 30, 2020 · 9 shares · 2,933 followers View post →
Michelle Dawson
@autismcrisis · X

An autistic "who experiences multiple types of synesthesia and seems to have an extraordinary talent for learning languages" https://t.co/bm2GGZbZ95 case study, with MRI & EEG, free

Jun 30, 2020 · 15 likes · 9 shares · 9,267 followers View post →