My 7 year old has a near photographic memory.

He doesn't forget names. Ever. He remembers every name of everyone he's ever met.

He learned to read, on his own, before he was in kindergarten. His teacher said he was at a 6th grade level when the rest of his class was learning the alphabet.

We thought he was good at math, but couldn't figure out if he was actually working through math problems or not. Turns out he was just memorizing equations. He hasn't come across anything challenging enough math wise, for him to want to work through in his class.

You can ask what days events in his life happened and if he had any interest in them at all, he will tell you the day of the week. I asked him what day of the week he went bowling with his grandpa a couple years ago and he immediately said "Thursday at (the bowling ally) at 5:45pm". I can ask him what day of the week my birthday was 3 years ago and he would know.

He can quote long lines from movies or shows after watching a couple times. He words along with them on the 3rd or so watch. Not just a line or two, like 10 minutes of the show straight.

He can spell words backwards on demand, with no delay to think. Even long ones that I can't spell normally.


Its weird seeing all of this and the potential of the human brain. While hes somewhat high functioning, I doubt he will ever be able to hold a meaningful job or take care of himself completely. Socially he's ok. He will look you in the eye and talk to you. Conversations basically dont really happen, he will just talk to you and then wander off in his head. We're planning on retiring somewhere with a mother in law house or fully built basement so him and us can have some kind of independence. He also has 2 brothers who we hope will want to step up and take care of him when we pass.