What Is the IQ of a Nonverbal Autistic Person?

October 28, 2025

There is no single IQ range for nonverbal autistic individuals. Intelligence can vary widely, just as it does in the general population. Some nonverbal individuals have average or above-average IQs, while others may have intellectual disabilities. The challenge lies not in intelligence itself but in communication barriers that make traditional IQ testing difficult.


Standard IQ tests often rely on verbal instructions or responses, which may not accurately reflect a nonverbal person’s true cognitive ability. Many autistic individuals show strong skills in areas like pattern recognition, memory, problem-solving, or visual learning, even if they struggle with speech.

Alternative assessments, such as nonverbal intelligence tests, can help measure these abilities more accurately. With support from therapies like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), individuals can develop communication tools like sign language, picture exchange systems, or speech devices that reveal their full potential.


At Blue Jay ABA, we provide personalized, in-home ABA therapy in North Carolina, helping every child express their abilities and thrive beyond words.


Ready to help your child communicate and grow? Contact us today!


SOURCE:


https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4876598/


https://www.reddit.com/r/AutismTranslated/comments/1h2z2uv/what_level_of_iq_do_autistic_people_usually_have/


https://www.open.edu/openlearn/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=66948&section=6.1


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonverbal_autism


https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-average-IQ-of-an-autistic-individual-vs-a-non-autistic-one-based-on-research


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