Adhara Pérez Sánchez’s story is one of extraordinary academic ability, resilience and ambition. The young Mexican prodigy attracted international attention after reports revealed that she had an IQ score of 162, while also navigating the challenges of growing up with autism and facing bullying in school. Today, her ambitions extend far beyond the classroom – she dreams of becoming an astronaut and contributing to missions to the Moon and Mars.Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Adhara was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of three. Her early school years were difficult. According to reports, she was bullied and isolated by classmates, while some teachers struggled to understand her learning needs. At one point, she was reportedly labelled “different” rather than being given an environment in which her abilities could flourish.Her mother, Nallely Sánchez, recognised that Adhara’s difficulties at school did not reflect a lack of ability. Following a recommendation from a psychiatrist, the family took her to the Centro de Atención al Talento (CEDAT), an organisation that works with children with high intellectual abilities. It was there that Adhara’s exceptional intellectual potential received greater recognition. Reports have consistently cited her IQ score as 162.
An extraordinary academic journey
Once Adhara’s educational needs were better understood and supported, her academic progress accelerated dramatically.Reports say she completed primary school at just five years old, secondary school at six and a half, and high school around the age of seven or eight, depending on the account and how the stages of schooling are classified. By the time she was around 10, she had completed two engineering degrees one in Systems Engineering and another in Industrial Engineering with a Mathematics specialisation.Her academic journey subsequently took her to postgraduate study. Multiple reports describe Adhara as having earned a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering with a Mathematics focus at the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), making her one of Mexico’s youngest and widely reported as its youngest master’s graduates. A 2024 profile from an educational conference also identifies the degree as a master’s in Industrial Engineering in Mathematics through the IPN’s postgraduate system.Her achievements were formally recognised in Mexico as well. In 2021, the Mexican Senate honoured Adhara for her exceptional academic accomplishments. The Senate record describes her as one of the country’s 100 most powerful women and highlights the obstacles she overcame with the support of her family.
The Einstein and Hawking comparison
One of the most widely repeated facts about Adhara is that her reported IQ of 162 is higher than the often-cited IQ estimates of Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, generally placed at around 160.However, the comparison needs some context. There is no reliable record that Einstein or Hawking actually took a standardised IQ test producing a score of 160. Their figures are estimates that have circulated widely over the years. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that Adhara’s reported IQ score of 162 is higher than the commonly cited estimated IQs for Einstein and Hawking, rather than suggesting that she definitively outscored either scientist on a directly comparable test.And while an IQ score can indicate certain forms of cognitive ability, it does not by itself predict scientific achievement, creativity or future success. Adhara’s story is therefore about more than a number, it is also about finding an educational environment in which her abilities could develop.
From being bullied to becoming an inspiration
Adhara has spoken about experiencing bullying during her early school years. In an interview with Milenio, she recalled being locked in by other children and said that she eventually moved past those experiences. Her story has since become closely associated with the importance of giving children with autism and other differences the right support rather than assuming that they cannot succeed.Her experiences also influenced her desire to encourage other children. Adhara is the author of No te rindas (Don’t Give Up), a book in which she shares aspects of her life and experiences with autism. She has used her public platform to encourage children not to abandon their ambitions and has expressed an interest in making science more inclusive for girls and children with autism.She has also been associated with projects aimed at helping people with autism, including an idea for a wearable device designed to monitor physiological signals and potentially alert caregivers to seizures.From an early age, she developed a fascination with astronomy and space. Her stated goal is to become an astronaut and travel beyond Earth, with the Moon and Mars among the destinations she has spoken about. In 2022, the Mexican Space Agency received Adhara and encouraged her interest in space, science and technology.She has also expressed an interest in studying astrophysics, with the University of Arizona featuring in plans reported about her future education. Earlier reports said she had been invited to visit or study at the university, although practical issues including visa and financial constraints presented obstacles.For Adhara, becoming an astronaut is not simply about reaching space. She has spoken about wanting to investigate Mars and contribute to humanity’s understanding of the universe. Her interests in mathematics, engineering, physics and astronomy all fit into that larger ambition.More than a story about being a “genius”Adhara Pérez Sánchez’s journey is often presented through the dramatic figure of an IQ of 162 or the claim that she achieved university-level qualifications while still a child. But perhaps the more meaningful part of her story is what happened when someone finally recognised that she needed a different kind of education.Her early experiences show how easily exceptional ability can be overlooked when a child does not fit conventional expectations. After struggling in a traditional school environment, Adhara found greater opportunities to learn at her own pace and pursue subjects that matched her abilities.Her journey also challenges the idea that autism or being different should automatically be viewed as a limitation. Adhara’s achievements do not mean autism is a “superpower”, nor does her story represent every autistic child. Instead, it demonstrates what can happen when a child’s individual needs, interests and strengths are understood and supported.Also Read: Think kidney stones are random? Doctor says lifestyle mattersAlso Read: You have PMOS, but no cysts: Doctor explains why that’s completely possibleFrom completing school years ahead of schedule to pursuing engineering and postgraduate studies, writing a book and setting her sights on the stars, Adhara has built a remarkable path for herself.And for the young girl, who once struggled to fit into a conventional classroom, perhaps her biggest achievement is that she has refused to let other people’s expectations define the limits of what she can become.