The Flynn effect – named after Professor James Flynn of the University of Otago in New Zealand – refers to a phenomenon of rising IQ scores of abstract and visuo-spatial skills over time. Flynn (1987) analysed the trend of rising IQ in 14 countries between 1932 and 1978, providing evidence for rising IQ scores of abstract and visuo-spatial skills: a 13.8-point increase in IQ scores. It means a 0.3-point increase per year, or approximately 3 points per decade. So, in the l

It is not straightforward Despite differences in approaches to define ‘intelligence ’, most experts agree that intelligence is the capacity to learn, think logically about abstract concepts and the ability to adapt to the cultural environment . Functional and intellectual disability Donna Williams (1996) distinguishes between functional and intellectual disability. The first one is to do with how a person functions in the world based on the capacity to act on the informat

Big world people [non-autistics] can be considered idiots in the autistic world, too, just as it can be the other way round. (Jasmine O’Neill) What we really measure with IQ tests of autistic people is how well a person can function (or even communicate his/her functioning) in a different perceptual/ cognitive/ linguistic/ social world using perceptual / cognitive / language systems available to him (but unidentified by the test). Different forms of intelligence The phenomeno

What do we measure with IQ tests? Measuring non-autistic people by [the autistic] type of development would often find them failing miserably and appearing to be thoroughly ‘subnormal’ by ‘autistic’ standards. (Donna Williams) Before we can discuss IQ tests and the way they are used with autistic population, we have to define what intelligence is. What is intelligence? And here we have a problem: there is no single definition of intelligence that has been universally accepted

Insisting on ‘Look at me when I’m talking to you’ vs. Talking to the wall Some autistic children need an intensive interaction style that make them aware of the presence of others and does not let them ‘slip’ into their own world – this is a directly-confrontational approach . For instance, for Temple Grandin, a more ‘intrusive’ style was beneficial as her sensory-perceptual problems were mild. For somebody with severe sensory distortions, a different approach is needed. They

‘Do you want eye contact or a conversation?’ This was the question asked by someone with Asperger syndrome when he was approached with “Hi, I’m so-and-so, I’d like to know your opinion on…” Perhaps, this ‘introductory question’ might sound strange to someone who doesn’t know much about autism, but if you are familiar with ASD, you’ll find it very logical and appropriate in this situation. Avoidance of eye contact is a common characteristic in autism and it is often seen as on

Research shows that young autistic children have more typical behaviour (89%) than atypical behaviour, for example, they look at people’s faces, react (turn) toward voices, respond to their name when called, etc. (Gabrielsen et al . 2015). During the first six months, infants with ASD present a similar to typically developing infants’ pattern of face-gazing accompanied by vocalizations (Chericoni et al . 2017; Young et al . 2009). However, already at the age of nine months,

by Peter Myers Savant syndrome is the condition in which individuals with serious neurodevelopmental disabilities or other central nervous system disorders have some ‘islands of genius’ that stand in marked contrast to things they cannot do. Individuals with savant syndrome are often able to perform tasks better than ‘normal’ people. Previously, savant syndrome has been classified either as congenital or acquired (Treffert 2009). In congenital savant syndrome , the extraordin

When Wednesdays are blue, numbers are as cities, and 5 + 2 = yellow … After one of the ‘incidents’ (panic attacks), Alyosha attempted to give his explanation of what had happened: “In the shop I heard black, then the word broke down into pieces and they entered my eye. I became blind because everything was black.” At the time I was bewildered with his explanation, and placed his ‘reports’ into the category ‘confusing’. However, in 2011, I came across the account by Brian King