Low Functioning autism

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We do have some people here who can type, but not talk. We have some people who can type, but not talk reliably. We have some people here who cannot live on their own. We have the parents of children who are non-verbal in the parents' section. We have some people with low IQ scores, but you have to remember that IQ tests aren't very valid for telling us anything about an autistic person's capabilities, because we tend to have very wide gaps between skills and atypical development.

Look at you guys, arguing over terminology.

Okay, the facts: "Low functioning autism" has no official definition. That's why you guys are arguing--you've all heard different definitions (nonverbal, low IQ, less independent, whatever). None of which is official. "Low functioning" is just a doctor's label that means what the doctor thinks it means, and probably means something else to the next doctor.

We do have some people here who can type, but not talk. We have some people who can type, but not talk reliably. We have some people here who cannot live on their own. We have the parents of children who are non-verbal in the parents' section. We have some people with low IQ scores, but you have to remember that IQ tests aren't very valid for telling us anything about an autistic person's capabilities, because we tend to have very wide gaps between skills and atypical development.

Wrong Planet has historically been associated more with Asperger's because that's what Alex has, but I've never wanted it to be limited to people who can talk or who have high IQs. A lot of the new autism diagnoses were "stolen" from what used to be called Mental Retardation; these people were found to be autistic rather than intellectually disabled, or autistic in addition to being intellectually disabled, so it's common to see the two things together. And while most autistic people learn to speak, there's a significant minority for whom verbal communication will always be difficult, even in adulthood, or even impossible.

It doesn't make sense to talk about autistic people being either smarter or not as smart as NTs. We're just too variable for that. We've got geniuses and we've got people who are profoundly intellectually disabled, and everything in between. Making a categorical statement about autistics and intelligence--especially when autism as a category is still so very much in flux--doesn't help us any because it can't make any predictions about any particular autistic person.

I'd like more severely autistic people around here. We have a few, but there aren't enough to be truly representative of the larger population, and of course some can't read and write, so their families would have to represent them.

lower functioning is characterized by an iq of under 70...which is borderline ret*d.

you are wrong...do some research

There are frequent claims in the literature that a majority of children With autism are mentally ret*d (MR). The present study examined the evidence used as the basis for these claims, revieWing 215 articles published betWeen 1937 and 2003. Results indicated 74% of the claims came from nonempirical sources, 53% of Which never traced back to empirical data. Most empirical evidence for the claims Was published 25 to 45 years ago and Was often obtained utilizing developmental or adaptive scales rather than measures of intelligence. Furthermore, significantly higher prevalence rates of MR Were reported When these measures Were used. Overall, the findings indicate that more empirical evidence is needed before conclusions can be made about the percentages of children With autism Who are mentally ret*d.

It's seems that we've never hear the voice of the voiceless...

I think you just answered your own question.

Suppose you'd like to create a local forum (not an internet forum, but a face to face one), something like Toastmasters (a group for people to learn public speaking).

Would you wonder why there were no mute members?

People who can't type can have representatives, though. People who know them well enough to talk about their experiences. We do have some parents who have non-verbal kids around here--it's usually parents, sometimes teachers.

There are flaws with how IQ is measured with non-verbal autistic people. Many who learn to communicate when tested again score a higher IQ.

Hi, I seem to be only half-aspie and don't know much... but what about a special section? Not letting chatterbox who can't stop typing 1000$ words to get there? I guess it would be hard for them to find it... hm... well, maybe they just aren't interested... or maybe we can spread the word for the regular that come to get info to encourage them to come... like adding a link to easy threads to their favorites or something... or typing for them... buuuut I'm rather clueless...

It's very kind of you~

I'm so glad that I can live on my own...
Access D allowed me to have my bills paid automatically... wonderful.

Enjoy~

Low functioning autism usually involves some sort of mental retardation so i dont know if they are capable.

Of course... Speaking is the main part of this kind of test. A child who learns to speak will increase his IQ. My son was diagnosed 2 years ago when he was 3 and non verbal. IQ tests measure something, they don't know what exactly. IQ can change through the lifespan. For example, I think my IQ is high because I never stopped learning new things, and today I'm 37. A person that can't speak and has trouble understanding what others are saying, will score low.

There's no such thing as half aspie. In general aspergers is a pretty mild condition and most people with aspergers are capable of doing many things such as driving, cooking, or marrying. Some people have it more mild than others.