Based on the replies to a survey of 300 public residential facilities for the mentally retarded, an incidence rate for idiot savants was established. This rate of .06% is based on the reporting of 54 idiot savants within a population of 90,000 residents. Several reasons for caution in the acceptance of this incidence rate are discussed.
References
1.
HillA. L.Idiot savants: A categorization of abilities. Mental Retardation, 1974, 12, 12–13.
2.
National Association of Superintendents of Public Residential Facilities.Directory of Superintendents. Madison, Wis.: Author, 1974.
3.
National Association of Superintendents of Public Residential Facilities.Directory of Public Residential Facilities for the Mentally Retarded. Madison, Wis.: Author, 1975.
