Watch: Autistic Indian teen in Dubai breaks Guinness Records, recalls 96 celebrity birthdays in 3 minutes

Dubai: At just 15 years old, Amit Ramkumar, an Indian student in Dubai, has earned two Guinness World Records – the latest for identifying 96 celebrity birthdays in just three minutes. That’s an average of one birthday every 1.8 seconds. What makes this feat even more remarkable is that Amit is autistic and possesses extraordinary savant skills, particularly in memory.

What is savant syndrome?

Savant syndrome is a rare condition where individuals with developmental differences, often associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), display exceptional abilities in specific areas such as memory, music, mathematics, or art. It’s estimated that one in 10 people on the spectrum may demonstrate such rare talents.

Diagnosis to discovery

Born in Ajman in 2009, Amit was diagnosed with high-functioning autism shortly after turning two. Nearly eight years of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy significantly improved his communication and responsiveness. It was in Grade 4 that his parents, Mahalakshmi and Ramkumar, discovered something extraordinary – Amit had a photographic memory. He could recall names, dates, and details with uncanny accuracy.
“Whenever he meets someone new, the first thing he asks is their date of birth, and he remembers it forever,” Mahalakshmi said. “He has memorised over 700 birthdays so far.”

Record-breaking journey

In 2023, Amit earned his first Guinness World Record by forming the number ‘44’ using 44,000 magnets – symbolically linked to autism awareness. At the time, it was estimated that one in 44 children in the US was diagnosed with autism.

His fascination with birthdays naturally led to his next feat, in November 2024. In a remarkable display of speed and precision, he identified 96 birthdays of popular public figures in just three minutes, surpassing the previous record of 70. His list included UAE leaders such as the Founding Father, the President, the Prime Minister, and the Crown Prince of Dubai, as well as international figures like the Indian Prime Minister, sports legends Sachin Tendulkar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and Hollywood icons like Tom Cruise and Jackie Chan.
“I am an autistic boy, but I possess a rare savant ability – an extraordinary memory,” said the Grade 10 student of Dubai’s Primus Private School, while describing his two world records.

Watch the video of his latest world record below

‘Incredibly proud, overjoyed’
Marking Autism Acceptance Month, his parents expressed pride in their son’s achievements.

“While we provided guidance and support, the records were accomplished solely by Amit, in his individual capacity,” the parents noted.

Before attempting the birthday record, Amit underwent extensive training to improve his speed and accuracy in recalling names and dates. “These sessions tested his patience and boosted his confidence,” they said.

Mind beyond birthdays
His parents pointed out that Amit can detect errors in text and images at lightning speed, replicate Arabic script flawlessly without learning the language, memorise songs and prayers in any language after just a few listens, navigate using maps or memory alone, and instantly calculate the day of the week for any date from the past five years.

More records to come

Outside academics, Amit enjoys swimming, playing the keyboard, learning chess, and collecting model cars – more than 1,000 miniature vehicles now fill his collection.

His family is now exploring ways to further harness his extraordinary abilities – through new record attempts or projects where he can make meaningful contributions. As they explore new avenues to channel Amit’s remarkable abilities, the parents hope his story will inspire other families navigating similar paths.
“Autism does not need a cure; rather, it requires a shift in the mindset of non-autistic people. Also, parents or therapists must closely observe the child’s activities to assess whether they demonstrate abilities beyond typical human capabilities,” they said.