9-year-old with autism stuns the world with an IQ higher than Einstein

At just 9 years old, Adhara Pérez Sánchez has achieved what most people can’t even imagine. The Mexico City native has an IQ of 162—higher than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, who were both estimated to have IQs of 160, according to PEOPLE.

Despite facing relentless bullying due to her autism diagnosis, Pérez has not only graduated high school but is also pursuing two college degrees in systems engineering and mathematics.

Bullied for being different, now recognized for her brilliance

School was a difficult place for Pérez, not because of academics, but because of cruel classmates who singled her out for being different. Diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum that affects social interactions, she often felt like an outsider.

While speaking to the Yucatan Times, her mother, Nallely Sanchez, recalled a particularly heartbreaking moment.

"I saw that Adhara was playing in a little house and they locked her up. And they started to chant: 'Oddball, weirdo!' And then they started hitting the little house. So I said, I don't want her to suffer."

  Representative photo by Alexander Grey | Unsplash 

A breakthrough that changed everything

As the bullying intensified, Pérez fell into depression and lost interest in school. Teachers reported that she slept through class, even though her parents knew she was exceptionally intelligent at home.

Recognizing that traditional education wasn’t the right fit, her mother sought therapy and alternative learning options. That’s when Pérez’s remarkable IQ was discovered, setting her on an entirely new path.

A child prodigy races through school

Once placed in an accelerated learning environment, Pérez excelled beyond expectations. She sped through her academic milestones, completing:

• Elementary school by 5
• Middle school by 6
• High school by 8

Currently, she is attending Universidad CNCI in Mexico, studying systems engineering and mathematics, according to KNSD.

Recognition and big dreams for the future

Even while pursuing college degrees, Pérez has found time to write a book about her experiences, titled “Do Not Give Up” (translated to English). Her accomplishments earned her a spot on Forbes México’s 100 Most Powerful Women—an extraordinary honor for someone so young.

She also gave a presentation on black holes at an event hosted by the Institute of Art and Culture (IMAC) in Tijuana, where her knowledge left both children and adults stunned.

"I'm surprised because how can a little girl know so much more than an adult? She already has two college careers," said Karen Alonso, who attended the event.

  Pérez has already started an exciting career in spaceRepresentative photo by Iván Díaz | Unsplash 

A personal invitation from the University of Arizona

Pérez’s story caught the attention of Robert Robbins, President of the University of Arizona, who personally invited her to study astronomy at the school.

"I was thrilled to read about your incredible story online and to find out that your dream school is the University of Arizona," Robbins wrote in a letter, according to The Arizona Republic.

"We have many outstanding space sciences programs, you would have many opportunities to work side by side with the world's leading experts... You have a bright future ahead of you, and I hope to welcome you on campus one day as a Wildcat."

To prepare for the opportunity, Pérez is currently learning English.

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Inventing a smart device to help autistic children

Beyond academics, Pérez is also working on technology to help other autistic kids. According to Vogue México, she is developing a smart bracelet designed to monitor emotions and help prevent seizures or outbursts.

"I’m making a bracelet that measures kids' emotions, and then parents will be able to see what emotion their kids have by checking a phone, tablet, or computer," she explained.

Her work aims to improve the lives of children with autism and other developmental disorders, proving that her brilliance extends far beyond the classroom.

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