| You as parent(s), caregiver(s), may believe your child | | | | mental retardation, is gather updated information from |
| with autism could have mental retardation. Knowing | | | | a reliable autistic specialist, and have your child tested. |
| your child, and depending on the age of your child, the | | | | There are many autism spectrum disorder individuals, |
| level of autism, that is a subject that is not an easy | | | | who are not exposed to life experiences, therefore |
| one to expound on. Why? Many parent(s), caregiver(s), | | | | their IQ tests might be lower, because of not being |
| family members, believe the child they know who has | | | | exposed to the proper teaching, and learning |
| autism, is mentally retarded. | | | | environments. |
| Many individuals with autism show special and strong | | | | Many children with autism as they become more |
| strengths in areas that other individuals who do not | | | | exposed, or are taught to be challenged with life |
| have the disorder. That does not indicate your child | | | | experience, they learn to develop, and grow in their |
| has mental retardation, just because autism is a factor. | | | | learning stages, and sometimes will be ahead of other |
| I personally know a young man who is now 15 years | | | | children without the disorder, when it comes to learning |
| old, who struggles with autism. He has never been | | | | or developing new areas. |
| toilet trained, but his memory is extremely keen, he is | | | | It might be a good idea to have your child evaluated |
| very athletic, and knows how to get from one place to | | | | and tested for mental retardation, if you are not sure, |
| another without being lost or lose sight of directions. | | | | then have your child be evaluated, and tested again at |
| Yet, he does not read, but loves visual icons, and | | | | a later date, when your child has grown in more areas |
| pictures. He does not formulate sentences or structure | | | | of learning, and developing. |
| them to make sense. Yet, he will ask for what he | | | | Give your child with autism respect, and when you talk |
| needs, and obeys rules, and respects authoritative | | | | to your child, talk to him or her, as though they were |
| positions of people who help and guide him. | | | | valuable, and in the same room. Your child may be |
| This young man that I know, also took tests when he | | | | understanding more than you are aware of. |
| was 4 years old, and the medical experts at that time, | | | | Remember, have a positive outlook for your child. |
| labeled him autistic, and mentally retarded. As the | | | | Never believe he or she is too delayed to learn or |
| years went by, he took more tests that were | | | | grow, and teach new skills. In addition, IQ tests are not |
| upgraded, and the tests now reveal he has a high IQ, | | | | always the answer, or are they always true. Children |
| and was never mentally retarded, but has autism. | | | | change, tests change, and environments change. Keep |
| The first thing I would suggest for parent(s), | | | | up with your child for progress, and encouragement. |
| caregiver(s) to do, if you suspect there could be | | | | |