Madam, - I write in relation to Lynne O'Donnell's article about "the mystery man whose fingers do the talking" (Life Features, May 21st).
In this article Ms O'Donnell uses the term "idiot savant" to describe the character portrayed by Dustin Hoffman in Rainman.
As the mother of a 17-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder, I take very grave exception to this term as it is very deeply derogatory to those often highly talented, brilliant people who suffer greatly within the conditions of autism spectrum disorder and Asperger's syndrome, as portrayed so magnificently by Dustin Hoffman in Rainman. - Yours, etc,
RUTH CLARKE,
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Kilmessan,
Co Meath.