One of These Things is Not Like the Others

An essay I have long intended, but hesitated to write.

Involves specific, ill-understood ways in which my neuro-atypical mind manifests its different talents and shortcomings, and where, as well as how I see something of the same combinations reflected in the two rather more famous and accomplished figures pictured.

Please note, I make no claim whatsoever to Einstein's genius, and would never willingly be associated with Mozart's degeneracy.

FIRST, ME
To get that out of the way

Of relevance to this essay is that I am somewhat neuro-atypical. I was very late diagnosed as autistic, far too late to be of much help, as by then I'd adapted as best I could to compensate for my shortcomings, though it did give friends and family cause to nod sagely and proclaim themselves not surprised.

I am also Hyperlexic, a condition often related to Autism. In my case I was reading and writing perfectly at age two, though I hasten to add that I did so with a two year-old's maturity and comprehension. Ergo, lots and lots of dinosaurs.

Finally, in later years, following some very intensive self-examination and efforts to, in my words, 'build my own mind', I began, under circumstances then a mystery but now somewhat better understood by me to display flashes of what has been tentatively labeled Savant Syndrome, but which I have kept as far from analysis, other than my own, for reasons which may become apparent.