Do all aspies have high levels of intelligence?

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I've come across a lot of information and how generally people that are high on the spectrum , tend to be portrayed for being highly intellect people or they posses an above IQ, does this always apply to every aspie? I know those with autism tend to be lower on the spectrum, I have just below to average level of IQ with possible AS ( family and previous teaches suspect I have AS) and diagnosed learning difficulties, just want to know if every aspie that is high on the spectrum, have a high level of IQ? Is it possible to have AS and have a normal IQ level?

Last edited by sorrowfairiewhisper on 22 Feb 2015, 6:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Being an Aspie doesn't gift you a high IQ level as far as I know.

Yes it is normal for someone with As to have average intelligence. The portrayal of all people with As to have above average intelligence is more of a stereotype than actual fact. People with As are described as average to above average intelligence. Although in media people with As are shown to always be above average intelligence but this isn't the truth at all. If anything it spreads misinformation about As.

When Aspergers was an official diagnosis under the DSM IV an IQ of 70 or above was required. Now that is not an official diagnoses but a colloquial term people can define it as they please an high intelligence is prominent in what people think of Aspergers.

Thanks for the replies, i'd guess it's a misconception that all aspies have high levels of intelligence or an exceedingly a high IQ, when I think of the term aspies, I think of the stereotype that's been portrayed in the media.
I'm in no way like Einstein or all these great geniuses throughout history that were on the spectrum, I do question whether or not i'm an aspie for these reasons as i'm in no way a genius and I can't memorise facts ect.

I'm glad it's not related to IQ, otherwise for all those that suspected that I have AS, would be very much misinformed and give out the wrong diagnosis.

IQ and intelligence are different things. IQ tests generally test logic processing, which I believe is a category that a lot of Aspies score highly on. Most documentation on Asperger's quotes "average to above-average intelligence" (as a side, they don't say how this was measured), so it would seem that it it is almost a criteria. Also, Hans Asperger described him study subjects as "little professors" which again implies high(er) intelligence. Of course, the blow-average may not have been brought to his attention, or may not have tested the same as the "little professors".

i think we should refer to ourselves in modern parlance and let go of debating Asperger's as a category.

We are on the Autism Spectrum.

Aspie as a term is officially shelved.

In the generic sense of "smarts," no, people with AS are no smarter than anyone else. As far as I know, most of them score average on IQ tests as well. I suspect that there is a social perception of them tending toward high intelligence due to tendencies to be interested in things that are perceived as nerdy or academic, as well as neurological differences that result in isolated impressive cognitive skills such as excellent rote memory.

Agree. One of the tools used to diagnose us is 'scattered' results on IQ tests, which is why they test our IQ when we're being diagnosed. We tend to do exceptionally well (way above average) in one or more categories and poorly in other categories. Some of us have high IQ, some of us don't. There is no longer a requirement to have a certain level IQ, which is very good, I think. The IQ test I had to take for my dx here in Australia was very Australia-centric (the knowledge portion) and I didn't know a lot of the answers as I just don't give too much of a flip about regurgitating the Australian cultural narratives so haven't learned them.

IQ tests are remarkably biased and don't amount to much imho. I tested 'genius' level IQ in high school and got into gifted classes because of it, and I still can't recall the multiplication tables at the age of 46. I suppose that right there is a good sign of Autistic Spectrum as it shows how 'scattered' my thinking skill sets can be.

The idea that every person with autism is some kind of savant is blatantly wrong. its a bit awkward/patronizing. "no I'm just a person with a mental disorder."

I'd guess that's true about people with AS not being any smarter then anyone else, levels of intelligence still vary depending on the individuals, just find it all confusing tbh, the lack of information out their and these so called symptoms that supposedly everyone on the spectrum will possess , even though it's all generalised.

My IQ is more average than it is high. It's taken me years to be able to admit that on WP.

We've known since the Eisenhower Administration that half of all Americans have below-average intelligence. It may be safe to assume that the same holds true for American Aspies.

Well, you're above average to us. I think you're great. IQ is a load of bollocks, though, really. I am glad it doesn't bother you to the point that you feel weird about talking about being 'average' IQ.

I have a lower level of intelligence

Just go to the PPR forums and you'll find alot of below average IQ Aspies.

Personally, i find that it is more important to surround yourself with people that have a higher EQ than IQ. Right now for instance, i've taken the day off to help my mother, how many people do that - regardless if they are "normal" or diagnosed with something?