Boy With Autism Shows Special Ability To Learn About Geography, Cultures

Buried in a pile of encyclopedias, Ulices Rodriguez spends many of his school days exploring the wonders of the world.

The 12-year-old can rattle off any country’s capital, official language and population.

“Everyday something new comes up that amazes me,” said Maura Cosgrove, his teacher at Guillen Middle School. “If it’s not numbers, it’s flags, sometimes it’s languages.”

At a moment’s notice, Ulices will break into regular conversation with foreign phrase. Sometimes, it’s a Swahili proverb, other times a phrase in French.

No one is sure where he picked up these languages. Only Spanish is spoken at his home just steps away from the U.S.-Mexico border, but these skills are catching the attention of local educators.

“I’m not a diagnostician,” Cosgrove said. “I’m not qualified to test or do anything like that, but i think he’s a genius about so many things.”

What’s so special about Ulices’ abilities is that he has Autism. He was diagnosed when he was seven years old, and educators quickly moved him into special education classes. It’s not unusual for Ulices to finish his schoolwork well ahead of the other students in his class. That’s why his teacher sits him next to a book shelf.

When asked what was in in the books, Ulices responded, with some difficulty: “Encyclopedias, pictures, images, words, 23 millions of debris.”

Autism specialist, Lee Beck, said Ulices displays signs of Savant or Savantism – a mysterious condition where someone displays a spectacular skill in a mind that is otherwise extremely limited.

“You can think of savantism as a prodigy,” Beck said. “You see this extraordinary ability to do something like remember dates, learn languages quickly, some are beautiful artists.”

Beck said the challenge now is to find acceptance in a world that is not always accepting of others.

“It’s a huge challenge, to try and take this unusual ability and make it something that can be of benefit to society.” Beck said.

Despite Ulices’ abilities, even the simplest tasks are difficult.

“Lots of stuff overwhelms him,” Cosgrove said. “I have to give him one question on one paper and than another question on another paper, instead of 10 math questions all on the same paper.”

Ulices often disrupts class by talking too loud or grunting.

“They’re gonna be perceived as the nerd, the dork, the weird guy,” Beck said.

But it is a challenge Ulices will have to face next school year. Educators plant to place Ulices in general education classes – one subject at a time.

“If we don’t create an environment where they are accepted, and challenged and help them be the most they can be than we’ve failed them.”

Ulices’ teacher just hopes he is not the only one who benefits from the transition.

“He is incredible,” Cosgrove said. “I think I’ve learned just as much from him, maybe more, than he has from me.”

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