In Rain Man, what condition does Raymond Babbitt have?

Raymond Babbitt in Rain Man is portrayed as having autism.

Raymond is an autistic savant played by Dustin Hoffman. His brother Charlie, played by Tom Cruise, discovers Raymond after their father’s death and learns that the estate has been left to Raymond rather than to him.

The film uses Raymond’s exceptional memory and numerical abilities as major parts of the story. It also explores communication, family estrangement and Charlie’s changing attitude toward his brother during a cross-country journey.

Rain Man won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Barry Levinson and Best Actor for Hoffman. The film increased public awareness of autism, although specialists and advocates have noted that Raymond’s savant abilities do not represent all autistic people. The diagnosis and terminology shown in the film also reflect the late-1980s context.