31% of children with ASD have an intellectual disability (intelligence quotient [IQ] <70), 25% are in the borderline range (IQ 71–85), and 44% have IQ scores in the average to above average range (i.e., IQ >85).
Autistic people scored on average 30%—and in some cases more than 70%—higher on the RSPM than on the WISC-III, an intelligence test for children between the ages of 6 and 16.
'High functioning autism' is a term often used for individuals diagnosed with ASD who have an intelligence quotient (IQ) estimate of 70 or above.
Dr. Coplan recommends the comprehensive Test of Non-Verbal Intelligence (TONI), saying that children who do poorly on typical intelligence tests may do very well on the TONI. 4 The test looks more directly at what children know than other tests—not at how well children can use language to communicate what they know.
Although the exact cause of autism is still unknown, there is evidence to suggest that genetics play a significant role. Since autism is less prevalent in females, autism was always thought to be passed down from the mother. However, research suggests that autism genes are usually inherited from the father.
The researchers reported that such rare variants are inherited from fathers twice as much compared to mothers. Studies have revealed that a type of mutation called the copy number variation seen in autism was three times more common in girls than boys.
This led researchers to investigate the extent to which genetics contribute to the development of autism. Numerous studies, including twin studies and family studies, have estimated the heritability of autism to be around 80 to 90%, indicating that genetic factors play a substantial role in its etiology.
Someone who is considered a savant may be especially skilled in art, math, music, memory recall, or another subject. Savant syndrome is commonly associated with autism but can occur alongside other conditions.
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.
Autism itself does not affect life expectancy, however research has shown that the mortality risk among individuals with autism is twice as high as the general population, in large part due to drowning and other accidents.
Are People With Autism Smart? People with autism can be smart, but autism itself doesn't make people smarter. Autism also doesn't guarantee intelligence, though many people with ASD do well in academics, in the workforce, and in IQ tests.
However, the fitness tests showed that aerobic fitness, flexibility and body mass index of children with autism spectrum disorders was similar to the children without autism. The strength test was the only one that children with autism spectrum disorders did not perform as well in, the study said.
Autistic people are thought to have difficulties with identifying and understanding their own emotions. This is referred to as emotional self-awareness.
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.
The starting engine for that talent is an extraordinary eye for detail. For autistic people, there seems to be a different balance between the details and the bigger picture. Autistic people struggle to recognise what other people are thinking intuitively, but this gives them an advantage in avoiding herd mentality.
Many autistic people experience hypersensitivity to bright lights or certain light wavelengths (e.g., LED or fluorescent lights). Certain sounds, smells, textures and tastes can also be overwhelming. This can result in sensory avoidance – trying to get away from stimuli that most people can easily tune out.
While cognitive empathy can be lower in people with autism, affective empathy—which is based on instincts and involuntary responses to the emotions of others—can be strong and overwhelming. In fact, newer research suggests that some people with autism may actually feel other people's emotions more intensely.
Therefore, it appears that while some individuals may be aware they are autistic, others may not fully understand why they have difficulties connecting with people socially or engaging in conversation - yet still realize they are 'different. '
There is not just one cause of ASD. There are many different factors that have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
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.
ASD Level 1 – Level 1 ASD is currently the lowest classification.
We know that there's no one cause of autism. Research suggests that autism develops from a combination of genetic and nongenetic, or environmental, influences. These influences appear to increase the risk that a child will develop autism.
Although scientists are still trying to understand why some people develop autism and others don't, risk factors may include: A sibling with autism. Older parents. Certain genetic conditions, such as Down, fragile X, and Rett syndromes.