04/09/2026
April is **Autism Acceptance Month**, and one thing that often gets overlooked is how neurodivergent brains compare to the general population when it comes to cognitive ability.
In the **general U.S. population**, IQ follows a normal distribution:
• Average IQ is **100**
• About **68% of people fall between 85–115**
• Only about **2% score above 130**, which is considered gifted
When researchers study **autism and ADHD**, the distribution often looks different.
Many individuals on the autism spectrum show what scientists call **“spiky cognitive profiles.”** That means instead of being evenly average across all areas, they often have **very strong abilities in specific domains** like pattern recognition, engineering, mathematics, or systems thinking.
Studies have found that:
• A significant portion of people with autism score **in the average or above-average IQ range**
• **Gifted-level IQ appears more frequently among people with ADHD** than in the general population
• Neurodivergent individuals are statistically more likely to show **exceptional ability in specialized cognitive areas**
This doesn’t mean autism or ADHD automatically equals higher intelligence.
What it does mean is that **different brain wiring produces different strengths.**
Many of the people who design machines, solve complex problems, and see patterns others miss are often thinking a little differently than everyone else.
Acceptance isn’t just about support.
It’s about recognizing that **different minds move the world forward in different ways.**
