#i.q.

IQ =/= "smart," however, for this example, I will use this IQ scale to demonstrate the prevalence of an average/above average IQ:

I would think that this is pretty typical? Depending on your definition of "smart" (for this example, I am only using IQ scores, but you can be smart in a lot of different ways that have nothing to do with IQ, and where you decide the IQ cutoff for "smartness" is (I would consider anything over 100 as "smart" in terms of IQ and only for this conversation), anywhere between 15% to 50% of people are considered "smart" by IQ standards (if you were really fussy and said only scores above 130 counted as "smart," then I suppose it would be somewhat uncommon, but not rare).

IQ and Autism

People with ASD have a wide range of intellectual abilities. There is not really a standard IQ score that all autistic people have. Research suggests a bimodal distribution of IQ scores in the autistic population, with peaks at both below average and above average intelligence. About half of all autistic people have an IQ score have average or higher IQ scores. Therefore, we can also say that about half of all autistic people (research says about 1/3) have an IQ score below average. Most individuals with autism, however, fall between 85-115, which is average intelligence. About 1/3 of autistic people have below average intelligence (or intellectual disability), and 23% had "borderline intellectual disability" (scores between 71-85).

IQ and ADHD

There is currently no correlation between IQ scores and ADHD. ADHD is separate from other conditions that affect cognitive abilities. Some research suggests a slight negative correlation between the severity of ADHD and IQ scores, according to Russell Barkley. This means that people with ADHD that have lower IQ scores may have more severe ADHD symptoms.

IQ and Personality Disorders

There is no significant correlation between IQ and personality disorders. Lower IQ is sometimes observed in people with ASPD due to environmental factors (neglect).

Intellectual disability is under the "neurodivergent" umbrella.

Conditions like intellectual disability, Down syndrome, and many other cognitive and genetic disorders are considered neurodivergent. This does not mean that these people are not "smart," however, they struggle with cognitive abilities and are not traditionally "smart" on the basis of IQ. To say that all neurodivergent people are intellectually gifted is untrue and excludes people with high support needs and intellectual disabilities. Neurodivergent people do not need to prove their worth to society, and neurodivergent people don't need to prove that they are "smart" in order to be accepted. We are not, on average, "smarter" than neurotypicals. To be neurodivergent inherently means that we all struggle with brain processes, and this can include having lower intelligence. That is perfectly fine.

Why are intelligent people more prone to mental illness?

Higher IQ is associated with more and earlier drug use. Higher IQ is also associated with higher rates of mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. In a study conducted on 3,700 individuals with an IQ score of 132 or higher, results showed that mood disorders and anxiety disorders were extremely common among these individuals. Possible causes include "psychological overexcitiability," which is the tendency to excessively ruminate and worry. An intelligent person may over analyze critical comments from others and anticipate negative consequences, which can lead to heightened anxiety.

Did a little leisure project of the Burger King Kids Club in the style of Mallory Bash. Went a somewhat different style direction for the lighting. Much simpler, more abstract on the lighting and shadows. Who was your favorite? I was a Kid Vid guy, of course.