Born on a Blue Day

1. Synesthesia Shapes Perception and Memory

Numbers are my friends and they are always around me.

A Unique Sensory Experience. Daniel Tammet experiences synesthesia, a neurological condition where numbers, words, and other stimuli are perceived as shapes, colors, textures, and emotions. This mixing of senses profoundly influences how he understands and remembers information, particularly in mathematics and language.

Visualizing Numbers. For Tammet, each number possesses a distinct personality and aesthetic quality. Eleven is friendly, five is loud, and four is shy. These synesthetic associations enable him to perform complex calculations mentally, visualizing the numbers as shapes and patterns that interact to produce the answer.

Language and Memory. Synesthesia extends to language, where words evoke specific colors and textures. This sensory experience aids in memorization, allowing him to quickly learn and recall facts, names, and foreign languages by associating them with unique visual and emotional cues.

2. Autism Presents Challenges and Unique Gifts

Like most individuals with savant syndrome, I am also on the autistic spectrum.

Asperger's Syndrome. Tammet has Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication, and imagination. Despite these challenges, individuals with Asperger's often possess exceptional skills in areas involving logical or visual thinking.

Obsessive Routines. A defining characteristic of autism is the need for order and routine. Tammet's life is structured by precise rituals, such as eating exactly 45 grams of porridge each morning and counting the number of items of clothing he wears before leaving the house.

Embracing Differences. While autism presents challenges, it also fosters unique strengths. Tammet's single-mindedness and drive to analyze detail contribute to his exceptional abilities in memory, numbers, and mathematics, allowing him to excel in ways that others cannot.

3. Epilepsy's Impact on the Developing Brain

I was sitting on the living room floor when it happened.

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. At age four, Tammet experienced a massive epileptic seizure and was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy. This condition, characterized by electrical disturbances in the brain, can impair memory function and affect personality.

Brain Injury and Savant Abilities. Some researchers suggest that left brain injury, such as that caused by epilepsy, can lead to right brain compensation, potentially fostering savant abilities. While the exact relationship is unclear, Tammet's seizures may have played a role in shaping his unique cognitive profile.

Resilience and Adaptation. Despite the challenges of epilepsy, including side effects from medication and social limitations, Tammet's condition was effectively managed, allowing him to lead a seizure-free life and develop his extraordinary abilities.

4. Navigating the Complexities of Schooldays

School began for me in September 1984, just as my brother Lee was starting nursery.

Sensory Sensitivities. The school environment presented numerous challenges due to sensory sensitivities. Loud noises, unexpected changes, and social interactions often triggered anxiety and distress, making it difficult to concentrate and participate in class.

Obsessive Interests. Tammet's fascination with numbers and patterns often led to obsessive behaviors, such as collecting conkers, hoarding leaflets, and creating intricate codes. While these interests provided comfort and focus, they also caused friction with teachers and peers.

Finding Solace in Routine. Despite the difficulties, Tammet found solace in the predictable routines of school, such as morning assemblies and the structure of the calendar. These consistent patterns provided a sense of calm and security amidst the chaos of the school environment.

5. Loneliness and the Search for Connection

I am ten and know that I am different to them in a way that I cannot express or comprehend.

Social Isolation. Throughout his childhood, Tammet struggled to connect with his peers, often feeling like an outsider. Difficulties with social cues, communication, and shared interests led to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Imaginary Friendships. To cope with the lack of real-world connections, Tammet created an imaginary friend named Anne, a tall, wise woman who provided companionship and understanding. This imaginary relationship offered a sense of comfort and validation.

Finding Acceptance. Despite the challenges, Tammet eventually found a true friend in Babak, an Iranian boy who shared his love of words and numbers. This friendship provided a sense of belonging and acceptance, helping him to navigate the social complexities of school.

6. Adolescence: A Time of Change and Discovery

I counted the seven seconds that it took my father to stagger and slump to the living room floor, falling into his own shadow.

Family Challenges. Tammet's adolescence was marked by family challenges, including his father's mental breakdown and subsequent hospitalizations. These experiences brought uncertainty and instability to his home life, further complicating his emotional development.

Emerging Sexuality. As he entered adolescence, Tammet became aware of his attraction to other boys, adding another layer of complexity to his already challenging social landscape. The lack of understanding and support surrounding LGBTQ+ issues further contributed to his feelings of isolation.

Finding Comfort in Routine. Amidst the turmoil of adolescence, Tammet found comfort in his routines and interests, such as playing chess and creating his own language. These activities provided a sense of control and predictability in a world that often felt chaotic.

7. Lithuania: A Journey of Independence and Growth

I was excited to have passed the interview, but very anxious too because I had never travelled on a train on my own before.

Seeking Independence. After deciding not to attend university, Tammet sought a volunteer opportunity overseas, hoping to gain independence and experience a different culture. This decision led him to Lithuania, a country still recovering from Soviet rule.

Cultural Immersion. Living and working in Lithuania presented numerous challenges, from navigating a new language and culture to coping with limited resources and unfamiliar customs. However, these experiences fostered resilience, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of the world.

Finding Friendship and Purpose. In Lithuania, Tammet formed meaningful connections with local people, particularly Birut, who provided guidance, support, and friendship. He also found purpose in teaching English to unemployed women, empowering them to navigate the new economy.

8. Love and Acceptance Transform Lives

I have met my soul mate.

Finding Love Online. Upon returning to the UK, Tammet met Neil online, a software programmer who shared his shyness and sensitivity. Their connection quickly blossomed into a deep and transformative love.

Overcoming Challenges Together. Despite the challenges posed by Tammet's Asperger's syndrome, Neil embraced his unique qualities and provided unwavering support. Together, they navigated social difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and communication barriers.

Building a Shared Life. With Neil's love and acceptance, Tammet found the confidence to pursue his passions, launch a successful website, and build a fulfilling life. Their relationship became a testament to the power of love to transform lives.

9. Language as a Window to Understanding

I currently know ten languages: English (my native language), Finnish, French, German, Lithuanian, Esperanto, Spanish, Romanian, Icelandic and Welsh.

A Passion for Languages. Tammet's synesthesia extends to language, where words evoke specific colors and textures. This sensory experience aids in memorization and fosters a deep appreciation for the nuances of different languages.

Learning New Languages. He has mastered ten languages, including Finnish, French, German, Lithuanian, Esperanto, Spanish, Romanian, Icelandic, and Welsh. Each language offers a unique window into different cultures and ways of thinking.

Creating a Personal Language. Tammet even created his own language, Mänti, as a way of expressing his inner world. This unique language reflects his synesthetic experiences and provides a creative outlet for his linguistic abilities.

10. The Power of Numbers and Patterns

Thinking of calendars always makes me feel good, all those numbers and patterns in one place.

A Numerical World. Numbers are not just abstract concepts for Tammet; they are a fundamental part of his reality. He experiences numbers as shapes, colors, textures, and emotions, creating a rich and complex numerical landscape.

Calendrical Calculations. Tammet possesses an exceptional ability to perform calendrical calculations, quickly determining the day of the week for any given date. This skill is rooted in his ability to recognize patterns and relationships within the calendar system.

Prime Numbers. Prime numbers hold a special fascination for Tammet, who sees each prime as a smooth, textured shape distinct from composite numbers. Identifying a prime number triggers a rush of feeling in his head, a sensation he describes as both special and hard to put into words.

11. Meeting Kim Peek: A Shared Savant Experience

One day you’ll be as great as I am.

A Meeting of Minds. One of the most significant events in Tammet's life was meeting Kim Peek, the savant who inspired the film Rain Man. This encounter provided a sense of validation and connection, as he found someone who understood his unique cognitive experiences.

Unconditional Love. Tammet was deeply moved by the relationship between Kim and his father, Fran, who dedicated his life to caring for and sharing his son's gifts with the world. Their story of unconditional love and acceptance served as an inspiration.

Celebrating Difference. Kim's message of celebrating difference resonated deeply with Tammet, reinforcing the importance of embracing one's unique qualities and using them to make a positive impact on the world.

12. Finding Home Within and Without

I never feel lost, because the prime number shapes act as signposts.

Inner Landscapes. Throughout his life, Tammet has found solace and guidance in his inner world of numbers and patterns. These numerical landscapes provide a sense of calm, security, and direction, helping him to navigate the complexities of the external world.

Building a Home. From his childhood bedroom to his apartment in Lithuania to his home with Neil, Tammet has created physical spaces that reflect his inner world. These spaces provide a sense of comfort, order, and control, allowing him to thrive.

Embracing the Journey. Tammet's story is a testament to the power of self-acceptance, resilience, and the transformative potential of love. By embracing his unique qualities and pursuing his passions, he has found a sense of home both within himself and in the world around him.

Last updated: February 26, 2025