Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and a multinational lobbyist, publicly disclosed that he has Asperger’s syndrome during his monologue on Saturday Night Live (SNL) on May 8, 2021. He stated, “I’m actually making history tonight as the first person with Asperger’s to host SNL… or at least the first to admit it.” But this is what he has just said, my article dvelves into Elon Musk and autism connection.
Make no mistake, Elon Musk, arguably one of the most famous people at this time, is a true genius. I estimate his IQ to be 162 (99.9982112841 % or 1 in 55,906). Mr. Musk is a top engineer and executive with multi-talents connected to his IQ. But when he revealed he has Asperger’s syndrome, I ascribed it rather to his clownish attitude than gaining some valuable insight.
Elon Musk and autism: It became popular
Self-diagnosis (or in this case, perhaps the “professional” assessment) of Asperger’s syndrome became very popular. Autism prevalence has risen over time. In the 1940s, it was rare, about 1 in 10,000. Limited understanding and narrow criteria kept numbers low. In the 1990s, broader definitions and the concept of a spectrum increased estimates to 1 in 1,000. Advocacy, reduced stigma, and better tools pushed rates higher. By 2020, CDC data showed 1 in 36 children in the U.S. with autism. Awareness of autism in girls and adults also grew. Most of the rise comes from societal changes, not actual growth in cases. Some researchers, however, question if genetic or environmental factors are involved.
We all know that 1 in 36 doesn’t have autism. It is over-diagnosed. So it is, from this perspective, highly unlikely that Mr. Musk suffers from autism.
Something dubious: Asperger’s syndrome no longer exist
Elon Musk and autism become more ridiculous because Asperger’s syndrome is no longer considered to be a separate diagnosis.
Asperger’s syndrome is no longer a separate diagnosis because it was integrated into the broader category of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with the release of the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) in 2013. This change was made to reflect a more accurate understanding of autism as a spectrum rather than a collection of distinct disorders. Previously, Asperger’s syndrome was considered a milder form of autism, characterized by difficulties in social interactions and restricted interests without significant language or cognitive delays. However, research showed that the boundaries between Asperger’s and other autism diagnoses, such as Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), were inconsistent and often subjective, leading to confusion and variability in diagnoses.
By consolidating these under the ASD umbrella, the DSM-5 aimed to improve diagnostic consistency and better capture the full range of autism traits. This shift also reflects the growing emphasis on understanding individual needs rather than assigning rigid labels, with clinicians now focusing on specifying the severity of support required for each person rather than distinguishing between subcategories like Asperger’s. While the term is still widely used in popular culture and by individuals who identify with it, its removal from the DSM ensures a more unified approach to diagnosis and treatment within the medical community.
Extremely high IQ and autism: not so likely – 1 in 10 million
“Compared to the accuracy of the presentation of IQ data in epidemiological samples, data in clinical studies are often even less precise. Nevertheless, one clinical study with slightly more precise information on IQ in ASD reported that 23% of the participants had an IQ < 85, while 45% had an average IQ, and 32% had an IQ above average.” (Autism Spectrum Disorder and IQ – A Complex Interplay).
In the study, 23% of participants had an IQ below 85, 45% were in the average range of 85–115, and 32% had an IQ above 115. Average IQ typically refers to scores between 85 and 115, covering around 68% of the general population. Here, only 45% of participants with ASD fell into that range. This suggests a shift from the typical population distribution.
If we assume the autistic population has a mean IQ of 85 and a standard deviation of 15, an IQ of 162 is extraordinarily rare. Using these numbers, we calculate a z-score of 5.13, which places it in the 99.99999th percentile. This means an IQ of 162 is higher than almost every autistic individual – occurring in fewer than 1 in 10 million people. This rarity highlights how exceptional such a score truly is within this population.
What about John Forbes Nash and his IQ schizophrenia decline?
You may object John Forbes Nash had schizophrenia which manifests itself in low IQ despite his IQ must have been extremely high. Without decline, his IQ would have matched that of John von Neumann.
Schizophrenia is known for low premorbid IQ (approximately one-half of a standard deviation below) and subsequent IQ decline (15-point IQ deficit in adulthood).
“There is evidence that further decline in cognitive functioning (at a level equivalent to about 5–10 IQ points or onethird to two-thirds of a standard deviation) generally occurs during the perionset (peri = surrounding or around (Latin)). Bilder and colleagues (2006) demonstrated that objective tests scores obtained from academic records (achievement test scores, and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores) of children who developed schizophrenia in adolescence or adulthood were significantly lower than those of their healthy peers. Furthermore, they also demonstrated that the change in cognitive ability at first onset of schizophrenia approximated about 11.5 IQ-equivalent points.”
When working in his prime, I estimate his IQ as high as 160-180 (160; one in 31,560; 180; one in 20,696,863).
Breaking the numbers down
Schizophrenia affects about 1 in 200 people globally. Its lifetime prevalence is estimated at 0.5% to 1%. At any given time, around 0.3% to 0.7% of the population has the condition.
But autism has 1 in 1,000. So it is very unlikely that Mr. Musk with his IQ would fall fully into the spectrum. There are 8 250 000 autistic people in the world. And 1 in 10 million people has such a high IQ. By the way, the majority of people live in developing countries. This zeroes their chance to have some extraordinary socioeconomic outcomes.
Of course, autistic traits, but that’s it
Elon Musk and autism aren’t definitely loosely associated. Mr. Musk does possess some autistic traits. These traits are apparent even in his outward behavior.
Elon Musk shows traits commonly linked to autism. He has a deep focus on specific interests, like space exploration, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence. This aligns with the intense passions seen in autistic individuals. His communication style is direct, literal, and often unfiltered, ignoring social conventions to prioritize clarity or truth. He uses a highly analytical and system-focused approach, seen in Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink. His eccentric behavior, such as dancing awkwardly at Tesla events or making unusual public statements, also reflects traits linked to autism. Musk prefers structured routines and repetitive processes, aligning with a strong need for order. These characteristics shape his unique way of thinking and help drive his groundbreaking work.
Leave a Reply