"The Einstein Syndrome" Turns 25

Key points

Late talking can be a symptom of disability such as autism or it can be a normal developmental stage.

Some late talking children grow up to be geniuses in math, science, or music.

Gifted education programs should nurture and encourage every child's talents.

Thomas Sowell published his groundbreaking book The Einstein Syndrome [1] in 2001, following his earlier book Late Talking Children . [2] In The Einstein Syndrome , Sowell analyzes the traits of children with above-average intelligence who did not speak their first words until well beyond their first birthday—and in some cases, not until a second or even third birthday had passed. Nonetheless, these bright late talkers eventually began speaking and, over time, displayed talents in science, mathematics, or mu