Autism and the Strength of Abstract Reasoning

The distinction in abstract reasoning and identifying abstract concepts as opposed to abstract/figurative verbal communication is important.

Some adults diagnosed with autistic disorder whose intelligence cannot adequately be measured with standard measures of intelligence that measure verbal intelligence, actually score higher than individuals without autistic disorder, in the Raven Progressive Matrices measure of non-verbal intelligence.

This intelligence test measures fluid intelligence, abstract reasoning and pattern recognition through visual geometric symbols instead of abstract/figurative language through verbal measures of intelligence.
 
Difficulties with abstract/figurative language are in reference to understanding the figurative language of metaphors, sarcasm, and other more emotional aspects of verbal communication that may be affected, in part, by difficulties with Alexithymia, a condition present in up to 85 percent of individuals on the spectrum.

Many individuals on the spectrum excel in abstract reasoning and in identifying abstract concepts that may have substantial difficulties with understanding and using abstract/figurative language.

There is still an ongoing myth of stereotype in some areas that individuals diagnosed with Autism and/or Asperger's Syndrome have substantial deficits in abstract reasoning and identifying abstract concepts. Research with alternate means of measuring intelligence provides evidence that this is not the case, and that it is actually strength rather than a deficit for many on the spectrum.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0025372

Strengths in abstract reasoning are discussed in detail among people on the Spectrum on the Wrong Planet website linked below.

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt222662.html
Autism, the Internet and "Ideological First Identity", a Collection of Thoughts:

http://katiemiaaghogday.blogspot.com/2013/05/autism-internet-and-ideological-first.html

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