People with autism typically have above-average IQ.

Is it true that people with autism typically have above-average IQ?

Partly. Some sources indicate that many autistic people, particularly those with Asperger's syndrome or without intellectual disability, have average to above-average IQ, while a 2024 meta-analysis of Wechsler test performance found autistic children and adults scored in the typical range for verbal and nonverbal reasoning rather than above average. The evidence covers only parts of the claim and does not establish that above-average IQ is typical of autistic people.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 4 sources for, 1 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Emotion processing and autism spectrum disorder: A review of the relative contributions of alexithymia and verbal IQ. (2020). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101608

Wilson, A. C. (2024). Cognitive Profile in Autism and ADHD: A Meta-Analysis of Performance on the WAIS-IV and WISC-V.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acad073

Frontiers | Autism Spectrum Disorder and IQ – A Complex Interplay. (n.d.). frontiersin.org. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.856084/full

Ann, J. (2007). Neurodiversity. eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ776554

The development and evaluation of the Cognitive Behavioural Social Competence Therapeutic Intervention for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder without an Intellectual Disability (CBSCTI-ASD). (n.d.). explore.openaire.eu. https://explore.openaire.eu/