Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can exist alongside a cognitive disability, but it is not one. ASD is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning it originates during a child’s developmental period. It is defined by observable differences in social communication and interaction, combined with restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. An individual’s cognitive ability is not a defining feature of an ASD diagnosis.
Defining Cognitive Disability
A cognitive disability is also known as an Intellectual Disability (ID). The diagnosis, according to the DSM-5, is based on two components. The first is a significant limitation in intellectual functioning, which includes reasoning, problem-solving, abstract thinking, and learning from experience. This is identified through standardized intelligence testing, with an IQ score of approximately 70 or below indicating a limitation.
The second requirement is a significant limitation in adaptive functioning compared to same-age peers. Adaptive functioning is divided into three domains: conceptual (language, reading, math), social (empathy, making friends), and practical (personal care, money management). To be diagnosed with ID, both intellectual and adaptive deficits must be present during the developmental period.
ASD’s Impact on Cognitive Abilities
An individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder can have any level of intellectual ability, from gifted to profoundly impaired, and a large percentage possess average or above-average intelligence. It is possible for someone to have a diagnosis of ASD and a separate, co-occurring diagnosis of Intellectual Disability.
According to the CDC, about 38% of children with ASD have a co-occurring intellectual disability. Another 24% have borderline intellectual ability, with IQ scores between 71 and 85. The presence of both ASD and ID is associated with more severe levels of impairment and may require more intensive support.
ASD does affect cognitive processes. Many autistic individuals experience challenges with executive functioning skills, the mental skills that help manage thoughts and behaviors like planning and organization. Difficulties with “theory of mind,” which is the intuitive understanding that others have different thoughts and feelings, are also common. This specific profile of cognitive differences is part of the autism diagnosis, distinct from the global intellectual deficits that define ID.
Cognitive Strengths in Autism
The autistic neurotype is also associated with a unique profile of cognitive strengths. Many autistic individuals demonstrate a strong ability to hyperfocus, allowing for intense concentration on subjects of interest for extended periods. This capacity for deep focus can lead to exceptional expertise and high levels of productivity.
Superior pattern recognition is another widely noted strength, as autistic individuals are often faster at identifying complex patterns. This skill is often paired with a logical or systems-based thinking style, leading to aptitudes in fields like science and mathematics. Many autistic people also have an enhanced long-term memory for facts and details they are passionate about.
ASD’s Classification as a Developmental Disability
ASD is formally classified as a neurodevelopmental disability because its diagnosis is based on behavior and development, not cognitive capacity. The diagnosis requires persistent differences in social communication and interaction, like challenges with social-emotional reciprocity and nonverbal communication. The other core component of the diagnosis is the presence of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests. Because the diagnosis hinges on these characteristics appearing early in development, intellectual functioning is considered a separate factor, not a defining feature of autism.