I told a former schoolmate I have AS

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In conversation the topic presented itself so I told him. After talking several minutes he asked, "I hope this does not offend you but does your autism make you less intelligent or have a lower IQ than others?"

I was not offended at all. Rarely do I get such a chance to brag about my superior mental abilities. I simply explained to him that in classic autism there is a trend of lower intelligence and in some people mild metal retardation but Asperger's is very different in that most people with it are average to above average, and sometimes very exceptional. It was a good learning experience I hope for him and I gave him a basic rundown of IQ distribution charts and where mine actually falls.

It was a good opportunity to share with an outsider that the Aspies are not unintelligent at all and oftentimes very remarkable in their mental acuity.

Sounds like a very positive conversation.

i find that most people with aspergers tend to be above average, and some average and some very intelligent. and the occasional genius.

He had to ask what your mental acuity was? Did I miss something?


Merle

Sure. He is your typical uneducated ignorant American buffoon. I handily put him in his place by showing how superior I was.

arnt you just the typical arrogant American []. do you find it surprising some one would not know about it.

Okay, this thread is quickly taking a bad turn. Stop the name-calling, and stop the discriminating.

The guy asked an honest question. Sure, he was misinformed, but at the same time he made an effort to correct that.

words of reason

Perhaps you should speak to Merle about that wise man.

I'm not quite following that. Why her, and why not you? You were the one who said he was the "typical uneducated ignorant American buffoon."

A lot of people don't ask questions. This guy seemed to want to learn more and all you can say is that he is a "typical uneducated ignorant american buffoon"? He may very well be, I can't judge that simply because of one scenario. Most people though have never thought to ask me anything. Not even when I was avoiding school. Instead of asking me why, the courts demanded I go, or suffer the consequences! He could have just assumed you were lesser than him and not ask any question at all.

Also, according to your answer you didn't show him anything except that those with Asperger's Syndrome can vary in intelligence, much like those without Asperger's Syndrome. As far as he knows from that answer you could still be at least average intelligence. Asperger's Syndrome only needs 70 IQ at a minimum, which tells me you could be below average. So could I though!

Okay, if a person does not know about Asperger's does NOT mean that they're uneducated. It's all a matter of interest. Most people know about autism through Rain Man, and I don't blame them, because mass culture is more widely discussed and thus more accessible. They may be proficient in American history or mathematics but know nothing about Asperger's because it is simply not their field of specialization. Most people find out about Asperger's either from people they know who have it, or from mass media.