What is the Difference Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disability (ID) are two distinct developmental disorders with different characteristics. The main differences between ASD and ID are:
- Nature of deficits: ASD is primarily defined by social communication deficits, while ID is associated with general deficits across developmental domains. ASD causes significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges, whereas ID causes limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior.
- Diagnostic criteria: ASD is diagnosed based on the presence of social difficulties, communication issues, and repetitive behaviors. In contrast, ID is diagnosed based on an intelligence quotient (IQ) of 70 or less.
- Onset: The onset of ASD is before three years of age, while the onset of ID is before 18 years of age.
- Genetic overlap: Although most genes identified as autism genes also cause intellectual disability, the two conditions are not synonymous. Research suggests that there may be shared or overlapping genes linking these two complicated conditions.
- Co-occurrence: ASD and ID can co-occur, making diagnosis and differentiation more challenging. In fact, studies have shown that ID is the most common co-occurring condition with ASD.
In summary, ASD and ID are two distinct developmental disorders with different characteristics. ASD is primarily defined by social communication deficits, while ID is associated with general deficits across developmental domains. The two conditions can co-occur, making diagnosis and differentiation more challenging.
Comparative Table: Autism Spectrum Disorder vs Intellectual Disability
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disability (ID) are two distinct neurodevelopmental disorders with different characteristics. Here is a table summarizing the main differences between the two:
| Feature | Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | Intellectual Disability (ID) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Characteristics | Difficulties in social communication and behavior (Challenges in social interaction, understanding and using nonverbal communication) |
Significant limitations in intellectual abilities (Difficulties in learning, problem-solving, and abstract reasoning) |
| Co-occurrence | ASD often co-occurs with other conditions, such as ID, language impairments, epilepsy, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) | ID is one of the most common co-occurring diagnoses among individuals on the autism spectrum |
| Assessment and Diagnosis | ASD diagnosis is based on symptoms and behavioral observations, using tools like the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule | ID diagnosis is based on IQ tests and assessments of adaptive behaviors |
| Genetic Overlap | Most genes identified as autism genes also cause ID | variations in the diagnosis of ID and ASD |
| Prevalence | 1 in 68 children in the US | 1 in 59 children in the US |
It is essential for diagnosing practitioners to be well-versed in the symptoms and assessment of both ASD and ID, especially in the context of one another, as they can impact domains implicated in each other.
- Learning Disability vs Intellectual Disability
- Sensory Processing Disorder vs Autism
- Autism vs Down Syndrome
- Autism vs ADHD
- Autism vs Mental Retardation
- Autism vs Asperger’s Syndrome
- Autism vs Cerebral Palsy
- PDD-NOS vs Autism
- Disorder vs Disability
- Rett Syndrome vs Autism
- Fragile X vs Autism
- Intellectual vs Intelligent
- Mental Illness vs Mental Retardation
- Disability vs Impairment
- DSM IV vs DSM V Autism
- Learning Disability vs Learning Difficulty
- Mental Illness vs Neurological Disorder
- Mental Illness vs Mental Disorder
- IQ vs Intelligence