CDC: Intelligence quotient (IQ) of children aged 8 years with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for whom psychometric test data were available,* by site and sex (IQ) score-Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 sites, United States, 2006
Last week some "autism" blog sites on the internet launched more personal attacks against me for daring to again correct the
myth that ALL, or MOST, autistic persons are characterized by high intelligence. I am not going to respond to the silly comments directly. I will refer anyone who is interested in the subject and who wishes to look at autism disorders realistically to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site which states that:
"A report published by CDC in 2009, shows that 30-51% (41% on average) of the children who had an ASD also had an Intellectual Disability (intelligence quotient <=70)."
The above information from the CDC is referring to ALL persons with ANY Autism Spectrum Disorder including those with Asperger's Disorder. By definition Asperger's excludes diagnosis where the person has cognitive impairment. For classic Autistic Disorder the average number of persons with an Intlellectual Disability or Cognitive Impairment would obviously be much higher than the 41 % average for all persons with ANY Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Perpetuating the myth that persons with autism disorders tend to be of high intelligence does not help the vast majority of those with classic Autistic Disorder who have Intellectual Disabilities. It reflects a desire to disassociate autism from intellectual disability. Autism is seen as good or at least acceptable. Intellectual Disability is seen as bad.
Perpetuating the myth of autism and high intelligence stigmatizes those with autism and intellectual disability.
