75% of autistics are ret*d

Post Reply New Topic

Well, what is the definition of ret*d? It means delayed, no? It's the word that has been misused that makes it terrible. Autistics are in fact delayed.. at least when compared to neurotypicals.

The word ret*d in a medical context has a strict definition; it means having an IQ of below 70.

1. Significantly sub-average intellectual functioning: An IQ of approximately 70 or below on an individually administered IQ test. For infants, a clinical judgment for significantly sub-average intellectual functioning.

2. Concurrent deficits or impairments in present adaptive functioning (i.e., the person's effectiveness in meeting the standards expected for his or her age by his or her cultural group) in at least two of the following areas:

Communication is the ability to convey information from one person to another. This involves the individual's ability to understand the message being expressed as well as the ability to express one's self through words or actions.

Self-care and home living are two areas that are closely linked. The individual's ability to navigate through everyday situations involving grooming, feeding, and independent living skills hinge on self-care and home living skills.

Social skills involve the individual's ability to interact with others. This intricate function requires the ability to process figurative language and read unspoken cues such as body language.

Use of community resources involves the ability to navigate through situations by using the means provided by the community. For example, is the individual able to use public transportation successfully?

Self-direction describes independence and requires the individual to complete day-to-day tasks without guidance.

Functional academic skills involve the individual's ability to apply academic skills to everyday situations. Can the individual follow cooking directions or understand labels on food and drug containers?

Work involves the individual's ability to maintain gainful employment. This involves rather complex social and cognitive functioning and skills.

Leisure is an important aspect of the quality of life. Does the individual get involved in relaxing activities?

Health issues revolve around proper diet and exercise as well as regular visits to the doctor. Is the individual able to recognize when he is ill? Is he able to communicate that he is ill? Does he know the appropriate steps to take to seek medical attention?

Safety involves the individual's ability to recognize dangerous situations. Does he know to look both ways before crossing the street? Does he understand that the stove burner may be hot?

3. The onset is before age eighteen years. If the onset is after eighteen years of age, the diagnosis is dementia.

Mild Mental Retardation affects 85 percent of the mentally ret*d population. Their IQ score ranges from 50-75. Many individuals within this group can achieve academic success at about the sixth grade level. They can become self-sufficient and in some cases, live independently with community and social support.

Moderate Mental Retardation affects around 10 percent of the individuals under the classification of mental retardation. This group score between 35 and 55 on IQ tests and has adequate communication skills. Many of these individuals function very well in group homes and in the community. Many are employed and can take care of themselves with minimal supervision.

Severe Mental Retardation describes 3 - 4 percent of the population within this classification. IQ scores range from 20 to 40. Communication skills and self-help skills are very basic and many individuals require supervision and assistance. Many of these individuals reside in group homes with assistance.

Profound Mental Retardation describes a very small portion of the mentally ret*d population, about 1 - 2 percent of those affected. These individuals score under 25 on IQ tests and require around-the-clock care and support. Their communication skills are limited and they require assistance for self-care. People with profound mental retardation usually have neurological disorders as well.

79.6% of all statistics are pulled out of somebody's ass....

And yes, when even profound autistics are given a non-verbal test such as the Raven, the vast majority of them test either normal or gifted. The Wechsler which is the one generally used has a HUGE verbal component, both in the test and in the instructions.

A math grad writes: 50% of the population are below average intelligence; and 50% above... That's the (well, one) definition of average...

I agree. Wechsler is unfair to people who have a reading disability. The verbal portion is so high on that test that it pushed my son's overall score to borderline ret*d. But, nonverbal portion was average or above average. Just because a person can't read well, doesn't mean they are ret*d.

The level and nature of autistic intelligence. (The blog is by one of the authors. You can look up the actual study on pubmed.)

A question concerning that research paper ("...nature of autistic intelligence"): the children with mental retardation using the standard IQ test, did their "fluid" IQ rise to a level that's similar to the NTs?

From this sample, autistic children who had a known, diagnosable genetic condition or additional neurological condition were excluded

Aspies make fewer erros in analyzing optical illusions.