While some autistic people have exceptional cognitive abilities, others may have intellectual disabilities. According to a study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, about 40% of autistic people have an intellectual disability, while the rest have average or above-average intelligence.
Many people on the autism spectrum have higher-than-average intelligence, and are considered geniuses.
About 70% of autistic people have an intellectual disability, which means they have an IQ lower than 70. The remaining 30% have intelligence that ranges from average to gifted. Autism and intelligence are two separate characteristics. A person can be autistic with any level of intelligence.
Research shows that more than half of all autistic individuals have an above-average IQ, while roughly 16% have an IQ higher than 130. But having high intelligence doesn't mean that autistic individuals don't experience some challenges associated with the diagnosis.
From 1966 to 1998, studies found that about only one-fifth of the people with ASD functioned in the "normal range" of intelligence, according to a 1999 review. But years later, in 2014, a U.S. study found that almost half of the children with ASD had average or above average intelligence, that is, an IQ score above 85.
Not All Autistics Are Mathematic Savants, But Many Have Above-Average Math Abilities. It turns out that, despite impressions, most ASD patients may not be any better at math than their counterparts at a particular age or developmental stage.
Savant syndrome is a rare, but extraordinary, condition in which persons with serious mental disabilities, including autistic disorder, have some 'island of genius' which stands in marked, incongruous contrast to overall handicap.
Autistic people are thought to have difficulties with identifying and understanding their own emotions. This is referred to as emotional self-awareness.
They may also have exceptional memory, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills. In fact, some autistic people have a unique way of thinking that allows them to see patterns and connections that others may miss. One of the reasons why people associate autism with intelligence is because of the "savant syndrome".
The absence of intuitive and even obligatory “mentalizing” in autism may also contribute to talent. People with autism may be less subject to herd thinking, and more able to take original perspectives.
It's a common misconception that autistic people are unaware of their condition. The truth is, many autistic people are very much aware of their autism and how it affects them. In fact, some say that it's through understanding and acceptance of their autism that they've been able to lead fulfilling lives.
Those with Asperger's syndrome, in contrast, must by definition have suffered no cognitive delay during their first 3 years of life. This means that they will usually have at least a “normal” IQ. In some cases, their IQ may be very high, even in the genius range. There are, however, different kinds of smarts.
Extra high intelligence is somewhat rare in people with autism. Less than 5 percent of persons with autism exhibit the genius-like abilities like Dustin Hoffman portrayed in Rain Man.
Those with Autism are More Than Likely Not Introverted
In fact, many with autism actually enjoy being next to those that they love and holding new friendships with others who they come across. Some people who have autism may also be introverts, but the two are not directly linked to go hand in hand.
Elon Musk - Entrepreneur
Elon Musk announced that he was on the autism spectrum while hosting the show, “Saturday Night Live,” in May 2021. More specifically, he stated that he was “the first person with Asperger's” to host the show. Musk is one of the world's richest people with a net worth of more than $150 billion.
Donald Gray Triplett (September 8, 1933 – June 15, 2023) was an American man known for being the first person diagnosed with autism. He was first diagnosed by Leo Kanner, and was labeled as "Case 1".
Savants with autism typically show amazing skill within one or more general ability domains. Mathematical, artistic, musical, spatial and mechanical abilities are most common. Most savants have a single skills but some have been reported to have more than one.
Non-autistic people tend to assess concepts before details, also known as top-down thinking. Autistic people take the opposite approach with bottom-up thinking and use details to build concepts. It may take longer to filter out sensory details with this approach, but you're less likely to miss important information.
In order to be diagnosed with autism, you need to have certain symptoms that interfere with your ability to lead a normal life. It is possible to be mildly autistic, but many of the behaviors and preferences found in people with autism are also common to people who do not have autism.
An autistic person will feel emotions and will want to communicate emotions to those around them. However, it is not uncommon to encounter difficulties in expressing oneself. Indeed, people with autism spectrum disorder will encounter certain obstacles in recognizing various facial expressions.
The intelligence levels of autistic people, in general, are highly polarized, with many autistic people scoring average to above-average; compared to the general public, more autistic people score in the gifted range (140+ IQ).
Profound autism is defined as having an IQ of less than 50 or being nonverbal or minimally verbal.
In the autistic brain, the brain reduced connectivity, known as hypoconnectivity, allows weakly connected regions to drift apart, with sulci forming between them.” Research has shown the deeper theses sulcal pits are, the more language production is affected.