The UK Autism Foundation paid tribute to Kim Peek, the real 'Rain Man' who passed away recently. Kim Peek was classed as a 'mega savant' who had memorised over 12,000 books including the Bible.Barry Morrow, the American scriptwriter wrote 'Rain Man' after meeting Kim Peek in the 1980s. Dustin Hoffman went on to use him as his role model when he was preparing for the role of Raymond Babbitt - Hoffman went on to win an oscar for that role as the savant in the film.

UKAF said Kim Peek was an inspiration to so many people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome around the world.

Photograph: Courtesy of Darold A. Treffert, M.D.and the Wisconsin Medical Society Savant Syndrome web site.