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


Need Assistance?

We’re Here to Help

Our expert team is ready to support your child’s development and well-being.


We are committed to offering tailored ABA therapy solutions that promote growth.

Contact us today for Professional ABA Therapy.

Get Started

Related Posts

A young boy in a white shirt reading a book in a classroom before ABA therapy session.

How the 4 Stages of Learning in ABA Build Fluent, Generalized, and Maintained Skills

January 28, 2026
Discover how the four stages of learning in ABA support communication, social, and daily living skills from first instruction to long-term independence.
A joyful young boy with autism being lifted in the air by a BCBA outdoors.

Growing Confident Minds: How ABA Therapy Helps Children Believe in Themselves

January 28, 2026
Discover how ABA therapy fosters confidence by teaching emotional awareness, communication skills, independence, and resilience in everyday situations.
A female BCBA and autistic girl smiling and talking while preparing food together in a kitchen.

Does ABA Try to Stop Stimming?

January 28, 2026
Explore how today’s ABA therapy approaches stimming with understanding, focusing on safety, sensory needs, and quality of life rather than suppression.