Is autism and mentally retarded the same thing?
The simple answer is no. Not all individuals with autism are also diagnosed with mental retardation, and it is generally accepted that they are two entirely different diagnoses that often happen to coincide. Mental retardation is defined by the DSM as an intelligence quota below a certain level, and indicates a low level of mental functioning and reasoning capability. Autism is a social disability that is characterized by abnormal brain activity and behavior in social situations. Autism is a spectrum disorder, and people with autism fall all over a spectrum of impairment and capability. Many individuals with autism are brilliant and intelligent, and many others are severely impaired to the level of also being diagnosed with mental retardation. Autism does have a high level of correlation with mental retardation, and it has been claimed that 75% to 90% of all individuals with severe autism also exhibit mental retardation. To the people above me: mental retardation is an accepted diagnos
