It could be either or both.
The HFA boy I worked with had a "block" for some things. He was really smart in a lot of things, reading above his age level and stuff, but had a lot of difficulty with demonstrating understanding of what he'd read. He also had a LOT of problems learning basic mathematics.
The girl I currently work with is slightly different, in that her conversational skills are more limited and she does not read. However, she is able (when focused) to put together a jigsaw puzzle in easily half the time it would take me to do the same puzzle (with the same amount of exposure). This is, in fact, one of her preferred activities.
There are also different types of intelligence; I would say that it is perfectly possible to score in the genius range IQ (i.e., definitely no mental retardation) while being incredibly dense when it comes to non-intellectual things (e.g., emotions, socialization, art). It is also possible to score severely mentally retarded on an IQ test and be more spiritually aware than anyone else around you.
L is smart; I would say that her best form of communication has yet to be discovered. When I say she is not interested in the computer, I mean that she doesn't go near it on her own, and she does not request to use it. And she does have one in her room. When I say she does not read, I mean that she will not attempt to read words out loud. She can, however, recite books almost verbatim if she has heard them enough times. We "read" together like that a lot.
I am employed as a "Community Aide," so we do all L's stuff when I'm there. I try to take her out in the car every week, to help her learn and practise her skills in relating to people in the general community. Usually, we will do at least one jigsaw puzzle (200 pieces) and watch part of a movie (usually The Sound of Music), either before or after our trip in the car. We go to the library or a store (e.g., book store, pet store, Zellers, etc.) and often stop at Starbucks or Second Cup while we're out. All at her bidding. I might make suggestions, but when she's ready to go home, I don't push it. We go home.
The fact of the matter is that L has some fairly severe difficulties in life. Her mother and I figure she will probably end up with a cleaning job, as she has OCD tendencies that show themselves in her need to rearrange things in a room (e.g., the towel on the oven door handle, the shoes by the front door) and loves to vacuum.
You have all heard me talk about TS a lot in the past - the girl I worked with in Vancouver, who was obviously bright and is extremely extroverted. L & T are at about the same level when it comes to spoken communication. However, I would say that T has fewer intellectual challenges than L does, largely because I know that T is now doing algebra and could read when I left Vancouver, while L is doing neither (both girls are 14 years old; L is actually a couple of weeks older than T). There is a distinct possibility that the seizure activity L experiences is the cause of the difference in intellectual ability, as T has no seizure activity.
I suspect that the incidence of mental retardation is the same amongst autistic people as it is in the non-autistic population. I also suspect that the incidence of normal intelligence and above-average intelligence follows the same trends. I don't think that our current methods of testing intelligence are accurately measuring the intelligence of autistic people.
But you all should know that already.
-Janna
On Mon, Nov 10, 2008 at 3:37 PM, Char Brandl
<charbfc <at> yahoo.com> wrote:
I was wondering the same thing. Are we maybe dealing with a difference in terminology between Canada and the U.S.? Or do you mean she tests in the retarded range even though you know she is brighter than that????
--- On Mon, 11/10/08, Tom Smith <qim <at> yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Tom Smith <qim <at> yahoo.com>Date: Monday, November 10, 2008, 1:52 PM
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Alright I'm game. How can you be smart and have mental retardation too?
Tom
--- On Mon, 11/10/08, Janna Hoskin <janna <at> thehoskincent re.com> wrote: From: Janna Hoskin <janna <at> thehoskincent re.com>
Subject: Re: [Autismlist] expectations for persons with "low-functioning autism?"
To: autismlist <at> yahoogro ups.com
Date: Monday, November 10, 2008, 10:34 AM
Oh, this girl talks. She doesn't read (but loves to be read to and memorizes her favourite books). As I said, she has mental retardation. I didn't say she wasn't smart.
There is a difference.
-Janna (posted a note to the autismfc group as well, in response to Art)
On Mon, Nov 10, 2008 at 11:29 AM, Tom Smith <qim <at> yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi Janna,
It's understandable you having these doubts but many of us who have FC'd our tails off in bygone times have no doubt that what Ben says here is on the mark. Autism (LFA) is a distinct condition and that's why so many were able to conclude that all autisitics were retarded at one time. If the evidence changes, as it has for those who FC'd extensively, it follows one can reasonably assume on the basis of autism being a distinct condition that all autisitics are in fact very bright.
I also had an autistic client who refused to type. By that time I had FC'd with enough of them to know he was refusing not based on low intelligence, but simply because he didn't want to communicate for whatever reasons. He lived with the auties I was FCing with and they confirmed he was VERY bright through FC.
Tom
--- On Sun, 11/9/08, Janna Hoskin <janna <at> thehoskincent re.com> wrote:
From: Janna Hoskin <janna <at> thehoskincent re.com>
Subject: Re: [Autismlist] expectations for persons with "low-functioning autism?"
To: autismlist <at> yahoogro ups.com
Date: Sunday, November 9, 2008, 10:21 PM
I currently work with a girl who has autism and mental retardation, as well as some seizure activity.
While I do not doubt that she is smart, she does not have "superior intelligence, " and she does not read or show any interest in using the computer. I do think that FC should be attempted in many cases, but such a blanket statement is ridiculous.
-Janna, who also worked with a boy who was a HFA and had mental retardation
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