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Asperger syndrome celebrities: Famous People With Asperger’s Syndrome

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Best Autism and Asperger’s Books of 2018

When it comes to the autistic spectrum, many of us (even people who have the condition) don’t fully comprehend it. With such unique ways of thinking, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can make living life either incredibly interesting or incredibly difficult (especially when someone says they’re “fine,” and you know they’re not). But for those of you who either live with ASD or have partners or children with ASD, books are a wonderful way to interpret and understand the inner workings of “Aspies.” So we’ve rounded up a collection of great reads for every age group, every audience, and every genre ranging from informative, to fictional, to autobiographical, to really hit all sides of the mental disorder.

Here are our top picks:

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

When it comes to making friends, Jacob Hunt, a teenager with Asperger’s, could use some lessons. But if there’s one thing that Jacob is great at, it’s forensic analysis … and interrupting crime scene investigations to tell the cops what to do. When a horrific murder happens in the town and the only thing leading the police in the right direction is Jacob. Family tension arises as the murder case and Jacob’s inexplicable ability to find the right clues creates distant reactions to this special family.

Buy It Here

Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Dr. Barry M. Prizant

Uniquely Human, a book considered “groundbreaking” in autism research, brings an entirely new perspective to the disorder. Dr. Prizant strays from the traditional concept that considers autism a pathological dysfunction, and instead classifies autistic behaviors as a wide range of coping mechanisms for a world that seems dysfunctional and uncomfortable. Using his extensive experience working in the medical field, Dr. Prizant offers inspiring stories and advice on how to enhance good behaviors without negating (or attempting to disrupt) autistic challenges.    

Buy It Here

To Siri, With Love by Judith Newman

To Siri, With Love is a collection of stories based on Judith Newman’s New York Time’s op-ed column with the same name. Loosely based on her own life raising an autistic child, Newman writes about a thirteen-year-old autistic boy named Gus who befriends his mother’s iPhone — or rather, her iPhone’s automatic assistant, Siri. What follows is a collection of humorous stories about what it’s like to live with Gus, a young boy who hops up and down when he’s happy and insists on taking his clothes off during meals. The book’s namesake short story, “To Siri, With Love” shows how Gus’s unlikely friendship with an automated “assistant” aids him in understanding human emotions — and also helps his mother understand Gus as well.

Buy It Here

All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome by Kathy Hoopmann

What do cats and Asperger’s have in common? This book will tell you — in the most adorable way, which includes plenty of kitten pictures and easy-to-read sentences. The All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome children’s book is most ideal for young people on the spectrum, siblings, or anyone in the living room, really.

Buy It Here

The Asperkid’s (Secret) Book of Social Rules: The Handbook of Not-So-Obvious Social Guidelines for Tweens and Teens with Asperger’s Syndrome by Jennifer Cook O’Toole

Written “for Aspies by an Aspie,” the Book of Social Rules is here for one reason: to help teenagers with Asperger’s understand the world around them in an appreciative and compassionate manner. This handbook is specifically targeted for adolescents with the understanding that being a teenager is difficult enough without having to deal with Asperger’s too. Although this book is in no way condescending, be prepared for candid, forthright conversation: something all Aspies would appreciate. With chapters entitled, “Laughing with You vs. Laughing at You” and “I’m Sorry: The Hardest Words to Say,” you know you’re going to get straightforward answers.

Buy It Here

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s by John Elder Robison

This New York Times best-selling memoir was written by novelist and autism leader, John Elder Robison. Follow Robison’s incredible life with autism from dropping out of school to obsessing over sound mechanics (eventually leading him to work with famous bands like Pink Floyd and Kiss). Any Aspie would find Robison’s journey both comforting and inspiring.

Buy It Here

The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, and One Man’s Quest to Be a Better Husband by David Finch

At 30 years old, David Finch received his diagnosis for Asperger’s Syndrome. This meant, that for years he and his wife Kristen had worked through David’s quirky mannerisms without knowing he had a disorder. Thus, on a mission to better his marriage, David Finch began writing down notes to himself. Reminders for whenever inspiration would spark — like not to change the radio channel when Kristen is singing along. He also wrote tips on how to be a better father. Thus, came to be his book of “best practices,” a guide he hopes to aid many other spouses living on the spectrum.

Buy It Here

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm

Ellen Notbohm’s personal experience with her own autistic and ADHD children makes her book both personalized and empathetic. Written in first person from the voice of an autistic child, Notbohm expresses ten critical traits of autism including “I interpret language very literally,” and “Please be patient with my limited vocabulary.” The book has won multiple awards and has consistently been lauded as a must-have for any parent raising a child on the autism spectrum.

Buy It Here

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

In this heartfelt, pseudo-mystery tale, you’ll follow the story of fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone, an autistic teenager who stumbles upon a dead neighborhood poodle named Wellington, killed via pitchfork. Christopher, who has a remarkable love for animals and a fascination with puzzles, immediately sets out on a quest to find the murderer. As the story unfolds, and Christopher gets closer to solving Wellington’s murder, he discovers the incident was more complex than he had originally thought — and in some way, ties back to his own father.

Buy It Here

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy With Autism by Naoki Higashida

A touching memoir by a nonverbal, autistic adult through the voice of his teenage self. Which, of course, is a time when many adolescent obstacles are being overturned … only made more difficult when you can’t say a word. In a collaboration of art and storytelling (even his chapter titles are poetic, like “The Black Crow and the White Dove”), this book takes you on a sensory journey. Poetic, sincere, and colorful, The Reason I Jump is the perfect book for anyone looking to understand the autistic spectrum from a first person perspective. 

Buy It Here

Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant by Daniel Tammet

Daniel Tammet’s autobiography is extraordinary in two ways. The first, is that 27-year-old Tammet lives with both autism and synesthesia — a syndrome that allows him to understand words and numbers in “shapes, colors, textures, and motions.” As one of only 50 people in the world who live with both conditions, Tammet’s perspective on autism and his ability to actually describe what it’s like through more descriptive bounds is truly incredible. Ideal for anyone who wants to understand more about how someone with the condition understands the world, Born on a Blue Day is the book to turn to.

Buy It Here

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

From the same author who wrote Still Alice, now a major motion film that covers dementia, Love Anthony dives into the world of autism through the eyes of two non-autistic women. The first, Olivia, had a young autistic boy named Anthony, who died at age eight. After the death of a child, then divorce, Olivia befriends Beth, who is also recently single. Beth writes a novel as a way to cope with her grief, and as the women share their tales, Anthony’s positive outlooks on life start to shine through.

Buy It Here

22 Things a Woman Must Know If She Loves a Man with Asperger’s Syndrome by Rudy Simone

Similar to (yet different from) Finch’s detailed guide for “aspie” spouses, this is a book takes on the perspective of a non-autistic spouse. In particular, a wife’s perspective. Divided into 22 traits commonly found in the emotionally distant, seemingly uninterested Asperger man, Simone offers hope and understanding to her women readers. From taking the relationship for granted to throwing ill-tempered tantrums, this book shows how to handle it all.

Buy It Here

Thinking in Pictures by Dr. Temple Grandin

One of the greatest pioneers in autism advocacy as well as a person living with autism herself, Temple Grandin wrote this book as a way to explain the disorder — as she’s experienced it — to the general public. Thus, Thinking in Pictures is an exploration on visual thinking for the misunderstood mind.

Buy It Here

Asperger’s and Adulthood: A Guide to Working, Loving, and Living With Asperger’s Syndrome by Blythe Grossberg

Targeted specifically to adults (or rather, up and coming adults) who live with Asperger’s, Blythe Grossberg’s guide covers every transitional step into adulthood for someone living on the spectrum. This includes how to live independently, move into your own home, land your first job, engage in small talk (yikes!), and more. For further inspiration, Grossberg also provides inspiring, true stories and even a couple scripts for your first date or interview.

Buy It Here

The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome by Tony Attwood

For a “by the books” kind of read, check out Tony Atwood’s Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome — a definitive guide to everything Asperger’s. The textbook covers neurological causes, symptoms and effects, individual perception, and the role it plays in social interaction, relationships, and day-to-day life. By sourcing case studies, the book takes a very informative and pragmatic approach to the disorder that makes for a great first read.  

Buy It Here

All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph

This children’s book follows Zane, a zebra with autism who worries his red stripes will make him stand out from all the other “normal” black and white zebras. The book begins with Zane telling his mother that nobody understands him, who then explains to him all the ways in which he is wonderful. Though many autistic children will be able to relate to Zane’s difficulty in social settings, the book is great for any non-autistic child as well to help them learn about the disorder.

Buy It Here

Famous People with Asperger’s Syndrome [150+ Actors, Entrepreneurs, Athletes, Musicians & More!]

We came across many famous people with Asperger’s Syndrome while researching for our recent blogs on autism and neurodiversity. We found 150+ Asperger’s famous people…and even with a bit of overlap, there are lots of new faces too! These famous Aspies include comedians, actors, athletes, scientists, musicians, writers, leaders, and artists.

Disclaimers: This list of famous people with Asperger’s who have been diagnosed and those who have been reported or rumored to have Asperger’s. I do my best to list resources for any questionable ones and welcome feedback, additions, and edits! I am not an expert on Asperger’s Syndrome.

Celebrities with Asperger’s

David Byrne, lead singer, and guitarist from Talking Heads has Asperger’s. (image source: Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Which famous people have Asperger’s Syndrome? If you had to list the very top celebrities with Aspergers, these would surely make the top 20 list:

  1. Isaac Asimov (diagnosed)
  2. Dan Aykroyd (diagnosed)
  3. Susan Boyle (diagnosed)
  4. David Byrne (diagnosed)
  5. Charles Darwin (rumored)
  6. John Denver (diagnosed)
  7. Eminem (rumored)
  8. Daryl Hannah (diagnosed)
  9. Dan Harmon (self-diagnosed)
  10. Alfred Hitchcock (rumored)
  11. Sir Anthony Hopkins (diagnosed)
  12. Michael Jackson (rumored)
  13. Courtney Love (diagnosed)
  14. Clay Marzo (diagnosed)
  15. Marilyn Monroe (rumored)
  16. Jerry Seinfeld (self-diagnosed)
  17. Satoshi Tajiri (diagnosed)
  18. James Taylor (diagnosed)
  19. Greta Thunberg (diagnosed)
  20. Robin Williams (rumored)

But let’s break it down in more detail. There are so many reported famous people with Aspergers that I categorize them by their professional field (Actors, Athletes, Musicians, Entrepreneurs, Scientists, etc.).

Actors with Asperger’s

Dan Aykroyd on the set of Great Outdoors. Aykroyd struggled since childhood with symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome. (image source: Wikipedia Public Domain)

  • Dan Aykroyd – Actor
  • Corey Burton – Voice Actor
  • Charlie Chaplin – Actor (rumored)
  • Lizzy Clark – Actress
  • Paddy Considine – Actor
  • Crispin Glover – Actor (rumored)
  • Daryl Hannah – Actress
  • Anthony Hopkins – Actor
  • Barry Humphries – Actor
  • Andy Kaufman – Actor
  • Marilyn Monroe – Actress (rumored)
  • Alex Plank – Actor
  • Robin Williams – Actor (rumored)

Comedians with Aspergers

Comedic troupe Asperger’s R Us is made up entirely of men with Asperger’s. (Image source: Max W. Lauf)

  • Noah Britton – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group
  • Trip Carey – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group
  • Ethan Finlan – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group
  • Jack Hanke – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group
  • Michael Ingemi – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group
  • Michael Palin – Comedian (rumored)
  • Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian (rumored)
  • Robert White – Comedian

Chris Rock — Aspergers Comedian?

Famous comedian Chris Rock started therapy after a friend suggested he may have Asperger’s Syndrome. According to Today:

“The actor went through nine hours of cognitive tests and was eventually diagnosed with NVLD, which makes it difficult for him to understand nonverbal signals.”

source: Today

We did include Rock in our blog, Famous People with Disabilities [a list of 650+] since has was diagnosed with LVLD, a learning disorder.

Other TV/Media Personalities with Asperger’s

Woody Allen, a famous film director is rumored to have Asperger’s. (image source: Georges Biard)

  • Woody Allen – Director (rumored)
  • Tim Burton – Director (rumored)
  • Justin Eugene Evans – Film Director
  • Paula Hamilton – Model
  • Brant Hansen – Radio Personality
  • Anne Hegerty – TV Personality
  • Alfred Hitchcock – Film Director (rumored)
  • Jamie Hyneman – TV Host (rumored)
  • Paul El Kharrat – the youngest champion of the show The 12 Coups de midi 
  • Heather Kuzmich – Model
  • Nina Marker – Model
  • John Motson – Sports Commentator
  • Suzanne Muldowney – Performance Artist
  • Chris Niosi – American Voice Actor, animator, producer (his work includes Arataka Reigen in Mob Psycho, Dezel in Tales of Zestiria, Khoury and the Pokémon series).
  • Keith Olberman – Sports Commentator (rumored)
  • Chris Packham – TV Personality and one of the most popular tv character’s with Asperger’s.

“Packham, diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in his 20s, said he was ‘lucky to get through that period of my life’.”

source: BBC

Aspergers Famous People — TV Personality, Chris Packham, after the People’s Walk for Wildlife, at Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, London on Saturday 22nd September 2018. (image source: Garry Knight — Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Famous Athletes with Asperger’s

The Current reported: Jessica-Jane Applegate also lives with the challenges associated with Asperger’s syndrome. She has become one of the most inspiring female athletes with a developmental disability since starting her career in 2011. (image source: Richard Gillin)

Among other celebrities who have Aspergers are athletes. These famous Aspies are an inspiration to fans of their sport.

  • Jessica-Jane Applegate –  the first British athlete from the intellectually disabled classification to win gold at the 2012 Paralympics
  • Danny Chew – Cyclist
  • Tommy Dis Brisay – Runner

A blog article on athletes with Asperger’s said:

“At five years of age, his parents were told he would never develop the ability to speak. A string of medications and countless struggles led to being overweight as a teenager. But his parents were committed to their son’s success, and they encouraged him to develop an interest. His father, Peter, an avid runner, encouraged Tommy to take to the trails. A jog with his father was all he needed to get hooked on running.”

source: Applied Behavioral Analysis Edu

  • Nikolas DiDomenico – Cyclist
  • Jim Eisenreich – Major League Baseball Player

Eisenreich, a famous Asperger’s athlete was diagnosed in 1984, causing him to leave MLB. But:

“medication, combined with a deeper understanding of his challenges, allowed him to return to the game he loved in 1986.”

source: Applied Behavioral Analysis Edu

  • Justin Hansen – College Football Player

An article about athletes with Asperger’s said:

“Human interaction has always been difficult for him. If his dad hadn’t dragged him out of the house and to the football field in grade school, Justin would be in his parents’ basement playing video games.

source: USA Today

  • Guy Martin – Motorcycle Racer
  • Clay Marzo – Surfer

A post about athletes with Asperger’s said:

“Like so many people on the autism spectrum, Clay Marzo was mislabeled and misdiagnosed plenty of times growing up: ADD, dyslexia, learning disabled. Socially awkward with others yet masterful on the surfboard, Clay wasn’t formally diagnosed with Asperger’s until he was 18.

source: Applied Behavioral Analysis Edu

  • Fernando “Fernie” Morlaes Jr. – Track and Field Athlete

A blog about athletes with Asperger’s said:

“The turning point in their search for the truth came when Fernie was in 5th grade and the family went to visit mom’s best friend over the Thanksgiving holiday. Mom talked and cried over her struggles to help Fernie succeed with her best friend, the friend who is a special education teacher said she suspected he had Asperger’s. She showed them literature she had on Asperger’s and mom said, “I just cried and cried and cried because we finally had our answer.

source: MileSplitTX

  • Marcelo Ríos – Tennis Player
  • Linus Söderström – NHL Hockey Player
  • Codi Ware – Racecar Driver

Famous Musicians with Asperger’s

President Obama presenting Bob Dylan with a Medal of Freedom. It is rumored, but not confirmed that Bob Dylan has Asperger’s Syndrome according to IMDb. (image source: Wikipedia Public Domain)Susan Boyle, Britain’s Got Talent singer, was misdiagnosed as having a brain tumor at birth, WebMD reported. Boyle said: “I always knew it was an unfair label. Now I have a clearer understanding of what’s wrong and I feel relieved and a bit more relaxed about myself.” (image source: Wikipedia, Wasforgas)

Many musicians with Asperger’s use music as an outlet, especially rappers. Does Eminem have Aspergers? He raps about Asperger’s in his songs, but it has never been officially diagnosed. Does Chief Keef have Aspergers? Elite Daily says:

“Rumors have swirled that Keef has Asperger syndrome, which puts him somewhere on the Autism spectrum.

  • AutistiX – an indie band from the U.K. 
  • Lil B – Rapper (rumored)
  • Marty Balin – Singer & Songwriter of Jefferson Airplane
  • Bella Bartok – Composer (rumored)
  • Mark Boerbach – Musical Savant
  • Susan Boyle – Britain’s Got Talent Singer
  • Anton Bruckner – Composer (rumored)
  • Dan Bull – Rapper
  • David Byrne – Singer
  • John Denver – Musician
  • James Durbin – American Idol Singer
  • Bob Dylan – Musician (rumored)
  • Joseph Eber – Musician
  • Eminem – Rapper (rumored)
  • Example – Rapper
  • Glenn Gould – Pianist
  • David Helfgott – Pianist
  • Michael Jackson – Musician (rumored)
  • Chief Keef – Rapper (rumored)
  • Ladyhawke – Musician
  • Juice Leskinen – Musician
  • Abz Love – Rapper
  • Courtney Love – Singer
  • Gustav Mahler – Composer (rumored)
  • Travis Meeks – Musician
  • Josh Morgan – Drummer
  • Rich Mullins – Christian Singer/Songwriter (rumored)
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Composer (rumored)
  • Ari Ne’eman – Activist
  • Craig Nicholls – Musician
  • Lisa Nowak – American Astronaut
  • Gary Numan – Singer & Songwriter
  • Eric Satie – Composer (rumored)
  • Savant – Musician
  • Slushii – Musician
  • Richard Strauss – Composer (rumored)
  • James Taylor – Musician (rumored)
  • Penelope Trunk – Entrepreneur & Author
  • Ludwig van Beethoven – Composer (rumored)
  • Robbie Williams – Singer (rumored)
  • Adam Young – Musician (rumored)

Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders with Aspergers

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates at ‘D5: All Things Digital’ conference in Carlsbad, California. (image source: Joi Ito Flickr)

Does Bill Gates have Aspergers? The Guardian reported Bill Gates:

“…has been described as having autistic-type traits: lack of eye contact, poor social skills, a monotonous voice, a prodigious memory and a tendency to rock backwards and forwards during business meetings.”

How about the famous mind behind SpaceX? Does Elon Musk have Aspergers? This research on neurodiversity says its definitely possible. The article also discusses Steve Jobs’ Aspergers observations.

2021 Update…Elon Musk confirmed he has Asperger’s while hosting a May 2021 episode of Saturday Night Live. Here’s what Musk had to say about his Asperger’s when he opened up the SNL show:

“I’m actually making history tonight as the first person with Asperger’s to host SNL, or, at least the first to admit it, so I won’t make a lot of eye contact with the cast tonight. But don’t worry, I’m pretty good at running human in emulation mode.

Here’s the full list of famous Aspie entrepreneurs/biz leaders I found:

  • Julian Assange – WikiLeaks Founder

On September 23, 2020, Computer Weekly reported that the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange:

“is on the autistic spectrum and has a history of depression that would put him at risk of suicide if he is extradited to a US prison”

This information was part of court proceedings from psychiatrists who evaluated Assange before his trial. In September of 2011, Assange talked to the UK Independent about being autistic:

“Later, when I became well known, people would enjoy pointing out that I had Asperger’s or else that I was dangling somewhere on the autistic spectrum. I don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, so let’s just say I am – all hackers are, and I would argue all men are a little bit autistic. But in my mid- to late teens I could barely focus on anything that didn’t seem to me like a major breakthrough.”

  • Adam Bradford – Activist & Entrepreneur
  • Michael Burry – U.S. Investment Fund Manager
  • Blondinbella – Entrepreneur & Blogger
  • Henry Ford – Industrialist (rumored)
  • Carly Fulgam – President of Autism Society of America Ventura
  • Bill Gates – Entrepreneur (rumored)
  • William (Bill) Hunt Gross – Investor & Philanthropist
  • Howard Hughes – American Businessperson (rumored)
  • Steve Jobs – Apple Co-founder (rumored)
  • Daniel Lightwing – Internet Gambling Business Co-Founder
  • Elon Musk – Tesla & SpaceX Co-Founder
  • Satoshi Tajiri – Pokemon Inventor
  • Nikola Tesla – Inventor of Electric Motors (rumored)
  • Mark Zuckerberg – Facebook Founder (rumored)

Political Leaders with Aspergers

Does Trump Have Aspergers? Many suspect so, but it has never been confirmed. (image source: Wikipedia)

  • Brisco Cain – Politician
  • Prince Charles of WalesIs Prince Charles autistic? One of our blog readers sent me an article and I did some digging.  It looks like the answer is no, even though some speculate Prince Charles has some traits of Asperger’s.
  • Benjamin Franklin – U.S. Politician (rumored)
  • Al Gore – Politician (rumored)
  • Jeff Greenfield – Political Analyst
  • Thomas Jefferson – U.S. President (rumored)
  • Abraham Lincoln – U.S. President (rumored)
  • Ludwig II – King of Bavaria (rumored)
  • Lindsay Mason – Politician
  • Timothé Nadim – French Politician
  • George Washington – U.S. President (rumored)

Famous Aspergers Artists

Charles Schulz was best known for creating the “Peanuts” comic strip. His Asperger’s was never confirmed. (image source: Wikipedia)

  • Jim Henson – Animator & Puppeteer (rumored)
  • Peter Howson – Painter
  • Wasily Kandinsky – Painter (rumored)
  • Paul Kostabi – Artist
  • L S Lowry – Artist
  • Michelangelo – Artist (rumored)
  • Patrick Samuel
  • Charles Schulz – Cartoonist (rumored)
  • Vincent van Gogh – Painter (rumored)
  • Andy Warhol – Artist (rumored)

Famous Scientists with Asperger’s Syndrome (and Inventors)

There is speculation around whether some of the world’s greatest scientists and inventors had Asperger’s. Did Einstein have Aspergers? Many reports say its possible, but we may never know.  How about other famous scientists? Most of the famous people on this list were never diagnosed with Aspergers, only rumored to be on the autism spectrum.

An article on Medium discusses whether Alan Turning had Asperger’s Syndrome (image source: Wikipedia Public Domain)

  • Alexander Graham Bell – Inventor (rumored)
  • Richard Borcherds – Mathematician
  • Henry Cavendish – Scientist (rumored)
  • Marie-Curie – Scientist (rumored)
  • Charles Darwin – Naturalist (rumored)
  • Thomas Edison – Inventor (rumored)
  • Albert Einstein – Scientist (rumored)
  • Francis Galton – Scientist (rumored)
  • Oliver Heaviside – Physicist (rumored)
  • Alfred Kinsey – Scientist (rumored)
  • Barbara McClintock – Scientist (rumored)
  • John Nash – Mathematician (rumored)
  • Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician
  • Dawn Prince-Hughes – Scientist (rumored)
  • Alan Turing – Mathematician (rumored)
  • Ludwig Wittgenstein – Logician (rumored)

Famous Writers with Aspergers

Temple Grandin was diagnosed with Asperger’s as a child. (image source: Steve Jurvetson)

  • Syed Talha Ahsan – Poet
  • Hans Christian Anderson – Author (rumored)
  • Isaac Asimov – Author
  • Jane Austen – Writer (rumored)
  • Daantjie Badenhorst – Journalist & Author
  • Kage Baker – Writer
  • Benjamin Banneker – Author (rumored)
  • Henry Bond – Writer
  • Axel Brauns – Writer
  • Lewis Carroll – Author (rumored)
  • Todd Rafael Cimino – Novelist
  • Jennifer Cook O’Toole – Writer
  • Emily Dickinson – Poet (rumored)
  • Charles Dickinson – Writer (rumored)
  • Tim Ellis – Australian Author & Magician
  • Allx Generous – Author
  • Temple Grandin – Writer
  • Gunilla Gerland – Author
  • Dan Harmon – Writer (rumored)
  • Liane Holliday Willey – Author
  • Luke Jackson – Author
  • James Joyce – Author (rumored)
  • Franz Kafka – Writer (rumored)
  • Garrison Keillor – Writer
  • Rosie King – Writer
  • H. P. Lovecraft – Writer (rumored)
  • A. R. Morlan – Author
  • Jerry Newport – Author & Mathematical Savant
  • Tim Page – Pulitzer Prize Author
  • Markku Tapani Pölönen – Screenwriter
  • John Elder Robinson – Author of Look Me in the Ey
  • George Bernard Shaw – Writer (rumored)
  • Rudy Simone – Author (rumored)
  • Susanna Tamaro – Author
  • Daniel Tammet – Novelist & Poet
  • Raymond Thompson – Scriptwriter
  • Henry Thoreau – Writer (rumored)
  • Mark Twain – Writer (rumored)
  • Donna Williams – Author
  • Virginia Woolf – Writer (rumored)

Other Famous Aspies

These famous Aspies needed a category of their own. They may not be famous actors, but they are famous in their own right. Does M2K have Aspergers? Jason Zimmerman, a famous video gamer who goes by M2K does have Asperger’s Syndrome.

  • Hans Asperger – Podiatrist (Asperger’s was named after him)
  • Bobby Fischer – World Chess Champion (rumored)
  • Carl Jung – Psychoanalyst (rumored)
  • Charles Rennie Mackintosh – Architect (rumored)
  • Friedrich Nietzsche – Philosopher (rumored)
  • Bertrand Russell – Polymath (rumored)
  • Oliver Sacks – Neurologist (rumored)
  • Judy Singer – Activist & Sociologist (she coined the term Neurodiversity)
  • Vernon Smith – Award-winning Economist
  • Greta Thunberg – Environmental Activist (and sailed from the U. S. to Lisbon, Portugal in 3 weeks!)
  • Jason Zimmerman (M2K) – Video Gamer

Movies About Autism or Asperger’s

While researching celebrities with Asperger’s Syndrome, we realized quite a few famous movies have been made based on people with Asperger’s or Autism. Here are a handful to note:

  • The Accountant
    • AutismMag.org discusses a popular movie called The Accountant — Aspergers plays a key part in this film about an accountant (played by Ben Affleck) with Aspergers Syndrome
  • The Social Network
    • Many people asked “Does Mark Zuckerberg have Aspergers” after watching this movie about the creation of Facebook. The Autism Support Network said: “…It quickly becomes clear that the character has something on the autistic spectrum, most likely Aspergers syndrome,” when referring to Zuckerberg’s character in the movie.
  • Mozart and the Whale  
    • Based on the life of author and public speaker, Jerry Newport, this is a love story about a man with Asperger’s Syndrome.
  • Man on the Moon
    • A film based on the life of famous Aspie entertainer Andy Kaufman. The main role is played by actor Jim Carrey.
  • Parenthood
    • In season 5 of Parenthood, popular character Hank finds out he has Aspergers while reading a book to relate to Max’s Aspergers. “Does Max Burkholder have Aspergers?” He plays the young character Max Braverman, who does, but the star does not have Asperger’s in real life.  What about Hank who is played by Ray Romano in this popular TV show. Does Ray Romano have Aspergers? Not in real life.
  • The Office
    • The Office is not really about Autism, but some may ask the question, Does Dwight Schrute have Aspergers? A blog about autism in the media says its possible:”Adam from Adam, Christopher from The Curious Incident with the Dog at Night Time, Donald from Mozart and the Whale, and Don Tillman from The Rosie Project, along with Dwight, Sheldon and Abed, all fit into what I call “the quirky, high-functioning Aspie” archetype.

Viewers of the Big Bang Theory have suspected the character Sheldon, to be on the autism spectrum, but does Jim Parsons have Aspergers? No, but he seems to think his character exhibits some characteristics of Asperger’s syndrome.

There are so many more movies, books, and tv shows based on people with Asperger’s or have characters with Aspergers. Here is a list of the top 10 movies according to Shrink Tank.

Celebs Who Have Kids with Aspergers

Famous comedian D.L. Hughley’s son, Kyle Hughley, has Asperger’s. 

When Kyle Hughley was a child, doctors diagnosed him with Asperger’s syndrome. At times, D.L. Hughley has seriously discussed how that disorder has affected Kyle’s life. For example, in 2015 D.L. spoke with pride about Kyle graduating from college during an Oprah: Where Are They Now segment. After talking about his son’s education, D.L. briefly spoke about Kyle’s day-to-day life and then he got emotional as he told a touching story.

source: The Things

People Yearn to Know if Someone Famous is Autistic or has Asperger’s

As part of my research, I was amazed to discover the amount of Google traffic there is of people wondering if a famous person has Asperger’s. Here are 40+ examples of the most popular queries. I’ll start of the list with common questions about Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg, because there is loads of traffic around him:

Questions about Mark Zuckerberg (Austistic or Aspergers)

  • Is Mark Zuckerberg autistic? (700 queries/month)
  • Does Mark Zuckerberg have autism? (600 queries/month) 
  • Mark Zuckerberg Aspergers? (15 queries/month)
  • Zuckerberg autism? (80 queries/month)
  • Does Mark Zuckerberg have Aspergers? (80 queries/month)
  • Is Zuckerberg autistic? (40 queries/month) 
  •  Does Mark Zuckerberg have Asperger Syndrome? (20 queries/month) 
  • Zuckerberg Autistic? (20 queries/month) 
  • Does Mark Zuckerberg have Asperger’s? (20 queries/month) 
  • Mark Zuckerberg Aspergers? (20 queries/month)

The Autism Support Network says:

“The founder of Facebook, has a desperate deficit when it comes to human interaction. It quickly becomes clear that the character has something on the autistic spectrum, most likely Aspergers syndrome.”

source: Autism Support Network

More questions people ask about successful people with Aspergers (diagnosed or not)

  • Does Donald Trump have Aspergers? (90 queries/month)
  • Adam Young Aspergers? (90 queries/month)
  • Steve jobs Aspergers? (80 queries/month) 
  • Does Trump have Aspergers? (80 queries/month)
  • Was Andy Kaufman autistic? (80 queries/month)
  • Does Bill Gates have Aspergers? (80 queries/month)
  • Adam Young autistic? (70 queries/month) 
  • Did Steve Jobs have Aspergers? (60 queries/month) 
  • Andy Kaufman autistic? (60 queries/month) 
  • Does House have Aspergers? (60 queries/month) 
  • Does Bill Gates has asperger syndrome? (60 queries/month) 
  • Does Dwight have Aspergers? (50 queries/month) 
  • Was Michael Jackson autistic? (40 queries/month) 
  • Dwight Schrute Aspergers? (40 queries/month) 
  • Lewis Carroll aspergers? (40 queries/month) 
  • Is Adam Young autistic? (40 queries/month) 
  • Does he have Aspergers? (30 queries/month) 
  • Is Chief Keef autistic? (30 queries/month) 
  • Michael Jackson autistic? (30 queries/month) 
  • Eminem has Aspergers? (30 queries/month) 
  • Does Max from Parenthood have Aspergers in real life? (30 queries/month) 
  • Does Donald Trump have Asperger’s Syndrome? (30 queries/month) 
  • David Byrne Asperger Syndrome? (30 queries/month) 
  • Abraham Lincoln Asperger Syndrome? (20 queries/month) 
  • Famous Asperger’s syndrome people? (20 queries/month) 
  • Aspergers Eminem? (20 queries/month) 
  • Jamie Hyneman Aspergers? (20 queries/month) 
  • Guy Martin Aspergers? (20 queries/month) 
  • Nikola Tesla Aspergers? (20 queries/month) 
  • Howard Hughes autism? (20 queries/month) 
  • Mozart Aspergers? (20 queries/month) 
  • Dan Aykroyd sindrome Asperger? (20 queries/month) 
  • Max Aspergers? (20 queries/month) 
  • Donald Trump and Aspergers? (10 queries/month) 

There are also 5+ questions about finding famous people with Asperger’s on Wikipedia:

  • Wiki Aspergers/Aspergers Wiki
  • Aspergers Wikipedia/Asperger’s Wikipedia
  • Wikipedia Aspergers
  • Asperger Syndrome Wiki
  • Wiki Aspergers Syndrome
  • Asperger Wikipedia

This shows that people are very interested to know which famous people have Asperger’s.

More Famous Aspies?

My list is by no means complete. Please let me know if you find other successful people with Asperger Syndrome and I will be glad to add them to this growing list! Just ping me at [email protected].

If you enjoyed this list, you might also want to check out Famous People with Dyslexia [A List of 175+ Actors, Athletes, Musicians & Scientists] and Famous People with ADHD [100+ Actors, Entrepreneurs, Athletes, Musicians & More!]

Words Associated with Neurodiversity

During our research on notable people with Aspergers, we started making a list of words associated with neurodiversity. The list helps our clients write more inclusive job descriptions. We decided to put them all in one place in a glossary in this blog, 40+ Words Associated with Neurodiversity.

And a final thanks goes to…

Sources for my Research on Famous People with Asperger Syndrome

These pros helped me source the article — thank you!

  1. Nicol Natale’s article on 7 Famous People You Didn’t Know Had Asperger’s Syndrome
  2. Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide’s article on History’s 30 Most Inspiring People on the Autism Spectrum
  3. Michelle Fattig’s article on Famous People Who Have or Had Asperger’s Syndrome
  4. Colin Eldred-Choen’s article on 6 Creatives On The Autism Spectrum – Actors And Filmmakers
  5. Michelle Fattig’s article on Famous People Who Have or Had Asperger’s Syndrome
  6. Ranker. com’s article on Celebrities Who (Probably) Have Asperger’s Syndrome
  7. Applied Behavior Analysis Edu’s article on 5 Top Athletes on the Autism Spectrum
  8. Michael Capone’s article on Hockey Player Talks About Living With Asperger’s and ADHD
  9. Nikolas DiDomenico’s blog on “I Didn’t Learn Until After Racing For a Few Years That Having a Label Can Be a Positive Thing”
  10. Karen Gold’s article on The high-flying obsessives
  11. Yousif Nur’s article on A comedian with Asperger’s who isn’t an antisocial introvert? It’s no joke
  12. Erin Herbert’s blog on Athletes with Autism
  13. Johanna Kristina’s list of Celebrities with autism or Asperger’s syndrome
  14. Dr.John Brock’s article on Did Alan Turing have Asperger syndrome?
  15. Wikipedia’s list of People with Asperger syndrome
  16. Apoorva Madavilli’s article on Did Einstein have autism?
  17. Peter Russell’s article on Singer Susan Boyle Reveals Asperger’s Diagnosis
  18. Samantha Craft’s article on Meet Judy Singer a NeuroDiversity Pioneer
  19. Fandom’s Parenthood Wiki
  20. Emma Dalmayne’s article on Why I Appreciate Eminem Lyrics on Aspergers
  21. A blog about Autism in the Media
  22. Doran Miller-Rosenberg’s article on How Autism And Learning Disabilities Breed Incredible Rappers Like Chief Keef And Lil B
  23. Stephan Shahinian’s article on The Neuro-Biology of Genius
  24. Kerry Magro’s article on Why our autism community loves Sheldon Cooper
  25. Dr. Frank Gaskill’s article on Top 10 Movies about Asperger’s and the Autism Spectrum, According to a Psychologist
  26. “Autistic Asperger’s, I am exhausted having to conform to the norm (by Web24 News)
  27. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has Asperger syndrome and depression, court hears (by Bill Goodwin)
  28. Julian Assange: ‘I am – like all hackers – a little bit autistic’ (by Independent UK)
  29. PEOPLE YOU KNOW WHO MAY HAVE ASPERGERS MINDS (by aspergersvic.org)
  30. Elon Musk gets off to rocky start in SNL monologue, including false claim about being first host with Asperger’s (by Jolie Lash)
  31. 5 Famous Musicians with Autism Spectrum Disorder (by Applied Behavior Analysis)
  32. Mindy Fox’s article on Asperger’s and “The Social Network”
  33. Chris Packham recalls undiagnosed Asperger’s syndrome on TV walk (by BBC)
  34. College football player with Asperger’s did the ‘impossible’ (by Matt L. Stephens)
  35. Becoming A Star In A Year, Dealing With Aspergers For Life (by Nancy Pierce)
  36. Defying expectations, people with autism are participating and excelling in sports (by Jon Wertheim and Stephanie Apstein)
  37. Chris Rock reveals learning disorder diagnosis, says he has 7 hours of therapy a week (by Francesca Gariano)

Why I wrote this?

Ongig is on a mission to eliminate boring and biased job descriptions. As part of this, we try to share best practices on all aspects of diversity. For example, Ongig’s Text Analyzer helps you avoid words that are exclusionary to famous (or non-famous) people with Asperger’s or other forms of Neurodiversity. Please visit Ongig if you’d like to learn more.

by Heather Barbour in Diversity and Inclusion

History’s 30 Most Inspiring People on the Autism Spectrum

Though autism did not become the mainstream diagnosis it is today until well into the 20th century, it is certainly not anything new. Indeed, history is full of people who many consider to be or have been somewhere on the autism spectrum. Like the 30 people on this list.

Famous Autistic People in History

  • Dan Aykroyd – Comedic Actor
  • Hans Christian Andersen – Children’s Author
  • Benjamin Banneker – African American almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer
  • Susan Boyle – Singer
  • Tim Burton – Movie Director
  • Lewis Carroll – Author of “Alice in Wonderland”
  • Henry Cavendish – Scientist
  • Charles Darwin – Naturalist, Geologist, and Biologist
  • Emily Dickinson – Poet
  • Paul Dirac – Physicist
  • Albert Einstein – Scientist & Mathematician
  • Bobby Fischer – Chess Grandmaster
  • Bill Gates – Co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation
  • Temple Grandin – Animal Scientist
  • Daryl Hannah – Actress & Environmental Activist
  • Thomas Jefferson – Early American Politician
  • Steve Jobs – Former CEO of Apple
  • James Joyce – Author of “Ulysses”
  • Alfred Kinsey – Sexologist & Biologist
  • Stanley Kubrick – Film Director
  • Barbara McClintock – Scientist and Cytogeneticist
  • Michelangelo – Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Classical Composer
  • Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician, Astronomer, & Physicist
  • Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian
  • Satoshi Tajiri – Creator of Nintendo’s Pokémon
  • Nikola Tesla – Inventor
  • Andy Warhol – Artist
  • Ludwig Wittgenstein – Philosopher
  • William Butler Yeats – Poet

Related: 15 Best Applied Behavior Analysis Online Programs

While we are well aware that retrospective diagnosis of autism is near impossible, the figures on this list have been carefully chosen. Experts ( both medical professionals and those who experience autism first-hand) agree that every person listed here probably shows or showed autistic tendencies, and we’ve noted those cases in which some experts disagree with others. Despite the challenges associated with the identification of autism, this list is meant to be helpful and inspiring to those who themselves fall somewhere on the spectrum.

Dan Aykroyd

1952-present

Popular comedic actor Dan Aykroyd had already been expelled from two different schools by the time a doctor diagnosed him with mild Asperger’s Syndrome as a child. Since then, Aykroyd has been pretty honest and up-front about his experiences with the autism spectrum. The Academy Award-nominated actor and writer has even spoken to great extent about how his experiences with autism contributed to his character in Ghostbusters.

Hans Christian Andersen

1805-1875

The experts go back and forth over whether Hans Christian Anderson, the beloved writer of such fairy tales as The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling, was autistic or not. Most of those who insist that he appeared somewhere on the spectrum are those who are autistic themselves, and therefore can relate to Andersen on a personal level. For example, Andersen’s diary describes to great length his many bouts of unrequited love for those who were, quite frankly, unattainable — a common personal experience, say those on the spectrum who can relate. They also cite the recurring theme of outcast characters in his stories. Most never achieve their sought after happy endings.

Benjamin Banneker

1731-1806

Benjamin Banneker was an African-American author, surveyor, naturalist, astronomer, inventor, and farmer who lived as a free man in 18th century America. Plenty of contemporary documents refer to Banneker’s “unparalleled brilliance” and “odd methods of behavior,” lending credence to the common idea that Banneker had a high-functioning form of autism. He was known to fixate on certain objects, such as a friend’s watch, until that fixation ultimately led to an experiment or invention of his own.

Susan Boyle

1961-present

Most people know Susan Boyle as the shy Scottish introvert who sold more than 14 million albums after appearing on Britain’s Got Talent. But even more people found Boyle inspiring when she announced she had been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a diagnosis that Boyle said, felt like “a relief.” Boyle is still learning about the autism spectrum and how it affects her, but as long as she keeps singing, people are sure to continue to be inspired by her.

Tim Burton

1958-present

Is Hollywood director Tim Burton autistic? His long-time partner, Helena Bonham Carter, seems to think so. At least, she once speculated that he was “possibly autistic” during an interview. While researching an autistic character for a film, Carter claims, she had an “a-ha moment” and realized that much of her research applied to Burton. Said Carter, “Autistic people have application and dedication. You can say something to Tim when he’s working and he doesn’t hear you. But that quality also makes him a fantastic father; he has an amazing sense of humor and imagination. He sees things other people won’t see.”

Lewis Carroll

1832-1898

There are few historical figures as controversial as Lewis Carroll, the author of the children’s classic Alice in Wonderland. While some of his behavior, such as continuously seeking out the company of young girls, has made some wonder if the university professor was a pedophile, others use the same information to insist that Carroll was actually autistic. After all, Carroll lived in a different time and place, with far different social customs than what we are used to today. He was also known to be a poor communicator, and therefore likely found interacting with children much easier. His difficulty with communication was exacerbated by a severe stammer. Finally, Carroll showed great mathematical ability and even considered himself to be a minor inventor, both common characteristics of those on the spectrum.

Henry Cavendish

1731-1810

Henry Cavendish is perhaps one of the most important scientists in history. A natural philosopher, chemist, and physicist, Cavendish is perhaps most famous as the discoverer of hydrogen. He is also thought to have been autistic. Besides his weekly meetings at the prestigious Royal Society Club, Cavendish did all he could to avoid company and social calls. Indeed, he was so reclusive, he communicated with his servants in writing, ordered his meals via a note left on the table, and even added a private staircase to the back of his house so as to avoid the housekeeper. He also avoided eye contact and was described by a contemporary as the “coldest and most indifferent of mortals.” But he was also brilliant, though it was only after his death that fellow scientists went through his many papers and realized all he had accomplished.

Charles Darwin

1809-1882

Trinity College professor Michael Fitzgerald, a leading psychiatrist, researched and published a paper concluding that Charles Darwin had Asperger’s Syndrome. There are records from Darwin’s childhood that state he was a very quiet and isolated child, who avoided interaction with others as much as he could. Like so many others with Asperger’s, he sought alternative ways of communicating, such as writing letters. He had fixations with certain topics like chemistry, but was a very visual thinker — all traits of someone on the autism spectrum.

Emily Dickinson

1830-1886

In her book Writers on the Spectrum: How Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome have Influenced Literary Writing, academic Julie Brown includes classical poet Emily Dickinson. Brown is part of a large group who believe Dickinson showed plenty of signs of being autistic: she wrote poems that were extremely unconventional for her time period, she was reclusive, she got along best with children, she wore white clothing almost exclusively, and had a fascination with scented flowers, among other things. While Dickinson’s biographer, Lyndall Gordon, insists that Dickinson’s epilepsy is what made her so reclusive, medical professionals are quick to point out that those with autism have a much higher chance of also having epilepsy.

Paul Dirac

1902-1984

Paul Dirac has repeatedly been referred to as one of the most significant and influential physicists of the 20th century. The Cambridge professor greatly contributed to early quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics, and even received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1933. That Nobel, however, was almost refused by Dirac, who was so reclusive that he didn’t want the publicity. Such shyness is one of many reasons why a large number of people think Dirac may have had some form of autism. Besides his shyness, they cite his intense focus, extreme literal mindedness, lack of empathy, and his rigid patterns, among other things.

Albert Einstein

1879-1955

Perhaps the most famous scientist and mathematician in history, Albert Einstein had a number of interesting and possibly telling characteristics. For one, he had trouble socializing, especially as an adult. As a child, he experienced severe speech delays and later echolalia, or the habit of repeating sentences to himself. And of course, there is the fact that Einstein was incredibly technical. Such characteristics have led many experts to conclude that he appeared somewhere on the autism spectrum.

Bobby Fischer

1943-2008

Bobby Fischer, the chess grandmaster and World Chess Champion, is said to have had Asperger’s Syndrome in addition to paranoid schizophrenia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Fischer was known to be extremely intense, and did not relate well to others thanks to his lack of friendships and poor social abilities. His extreme focus on chess is another sign, as his track record for not being able to cope in an unstructured environment.

Bill Gates

1955-present

Could Bill Gates, one of the richest men in the world be autistic? Quite a few autism experts seem to think so! While nothing has ever been confirmed regarding whether or not Gates falls on the autism spectrum, those who seem to think he is cite things like the distinct rocking motion Gates displays when he concentrates, his shortened and monotoned speech patterns, and his habits of avoiding eye contact on the rare occasion he speaks directly with someone else. These are all common characters of those on the spectrum, and the evidence that Bill Gates may be autistic is quite persuasive.

Temple Grandin

1947-present

There may be no autistic person alive today more famous than Temple Grandin. The author and Colorado State University professor didn’t begin speaking until she was almost four years old, and the doctors who diagnosed her recommended she be institutionalized. Fortunately, her parents did not agree with those doctors. Grandin has gone on to become a leading force in animal sciences, has been named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people, and even produced an award-winning biopic about her life. She remains an outspoken advocate in the autism community, and has been unapologetic about her belief that the “characteristics of autism can be modified and controlled.”

Daryl Hannah

1960-present

Daryl Hannah — the beautiful star of films like Splash, Blade Runner, and Steel Magnolias — only came out about her experiences on the autism spectrum about five years ago. Since then, Hannah has been nothing but inspirational as she’s told the honest truth about her challenges with Asperger’s Syndrome. As a child, we rocked herself to self-soothe, and was so shy that once she began acting she refused to give interviews or even attend her own premieres. Though she has mostly learned to control and live with her diagnosis, Hannah has all but left the entertainment industry to focus on environmental issues and other passions.

Thomas Jefferson

1743-1826

This one is especially controversial. Those who argue that the third president of the United States fell somewhere on the autism spectrum cite the fact that Jefferson was well-known to have been an uncomfortable public speaker and one who could not relate well to others. A number of contemporary documents even reference Jefferson’s sensitivity to loud noises and his many strange routines, such as the constant companionship of a pet mockingbird. Despite the evidence, the best we can do when it comes to Jefferson is speculate, as most documents dating from his early life burned down with his childhood home.

Steve Jobs

1955-2011

Those who associate Steve Jobs with autism admit that it’s pure speculation, but they are also quick to point out that that speculation has grown more and more mainstream since the Apple genius’s death in 2011. Those who believe Jobs landed somewhere on the spectrum cite such behavioral quirks as his obsession with perfection, his unorthodox ways of thinking, and his general lack of empathy when dealing with others.

James Joyce

1882-1941

Ask any autism expert about James Joyce, and you’ll likely hear them argue that his writing itself is extreme evidence of Joyce possibly being autistic. After all, his two most famous works, “Ulysses” and “Finnegan’s Wake”, are brilliant, yet intentionally difficult to read and understand. As Joyce told Harper’s Magazine, “The demand that I make of my reader is that he should devote his whole life to reading my work.” Some claim that this intentional approach to his work showed Joyce’s desire to distance himself from society, a very autistic thing to do. These same scholars also reference Joyce’s youth, during which he was extremely intelligent, but also suffered from a number of phobias and had trouble keeping friends.

Alfred Kinsey

1894-1956

Alfred Kinsey was a famed sexologist and biologist who founded the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. As is just about anything in his line of work, Kinsey was extremely controversial. Though the controversy surrounding his work has died down since Kinsey’s death, a new controversy has since arisen: was Kinsey autistic? Many medical professionals seem to think so. A 1999 article in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders stated that Kinsey meets the criteria for Asperger’s Syndrome because of his “qualitative impairment in social interaction,” “failure to develop appropriate peer relationships,” and “lack of social and emotional reciprocity.”

Stanley Kubrick

1928-1999

Stanley Kubrick is most famous as the innovative and exceedingly creative director of films like “A Clockwork Orange,” “Dr. Strangelove,” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.” But could he also have had some form of autism? The experts are split on this one. Those who argue that Kubrick was indeed autistic cite the director’s reclusive nature and his habit of hoarding animals. He was a chess mastermind, and said to be uncomplimentary and cheap. Still, there are plenty of reports that refute these allegations.

Barbara McClintock

1902-1992

Barbara McClintock was a famed scientist who made great breakthroughs in the study of chromosomes and how they change during the reproduction process. McClintock has long been thought of as autistic in some way. She had an extreme fixation on her work and was able to focus for long periods of time. She was also very particular about what she would and would not wear. Notably reclusive and one who went to great lengths to avoid any attention of limelight, McClintock nearly didn’t accept the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine that she was awarded for her excellent and groundbreaking work.

Michelangelo

1475-1564

Dr. Muhammad Arshad published in the Royal Society of Medicine’s Journal of Medical Biography a convincing paper arguing that Michelangelo was almost certainly autistic. Another leading researcher on the topics, Professor Michael Fitzgerald, agrees. Their evidence: the artist’s singular interest in his work, a temper that could change at the drop of a hat, strict routines, and very poor social skills. Such characteristics, all of which were determined through dozens of contemporary notes and letters, are consistent with those with high-functioning autism.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1756-1791

Most scholars agree that musical maestro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was somewhere on the spectrum. Mozart was allegedly extremely sensitive to loud noises, had a notoriously short attention span, and could fly through a cycle of facial expressions within seconds. In one well-documented incident, a bored Mozart began doing cartwheels and vaults over tables while meowing loudly like a cat.

Sir Isaac Newton

1643-1727

Thanks to researchers at Cambridge University, we have a pretty good idea that Isaac Newton had Asperger’s Syndrome or something else on the spectrum. The researchers, who also argue that Albert Einstein was autistic, mention in their article evidence that Newton isolated himself as much as possible and was notoriously awkward when it came to typical daily conversation. He was not good at keeping friends, and relied strongly upon routines. Lastly, there are a number of reports that suggest that he was often so focused on his work, that he went for days at a time without eating or sleeping.

Jerry Seinfeld

1954-present

Jerry Seinfeld, one of the most popular comedians of all time, has said in multiple interviews that he believes himself to be on the autism spectrum. Though he has never been officially diagnosed by a medical professional, Seinfeld has defended his self-diagnosis by citing various social challenges that he has experienced since childhood, as well as his tendency to think literally. While Seinfeld may consider himself to have Asperger’s Syndrome, others in the autism community disagree. In fact, Seinfeld’s revelation has been quite controversial, with many feeling that his self-diagnosis has only served to make light of actual issues.

Satoshi Tajiri

1965-present

As a child, Satoshi Tajiri was fascinated by insects and was even nicknamed “Dr. Bug” by other children. As an adult, Tajiri turned that interest into the world-wide phenomenon that is Pokemon — which itself makes him an inspiration to millions of children (and adults!) around the world. But Satoshi Tajiri is also on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum. Though he confirmed that he does indeed have Asperger’s Syndrome, Tajiri does not talk about it in public, choosing instead to let his many accomplishments speak for themselves.

Nikola Tesla

1856-1943

Thanks to his major rival, Thomas Edison, who reportedly stole many of his best ideas, Nikola Tesla died poor and alone. More recently, Tesla is finally getting the credit he deserves for many of his most genius ideas. It’s likely the inventor was also autistic. According to records of Tesla’s time, he suffered from a large number of phobias, was extremely sensitive to light and sound, isolated himself, and was obsessed with the number three.

Andy Warhol

1928-1987

Experts like Judith Gould, the director of the leading diagnostic center for autism in the United Kingdom, insists that it makes perfect sense that Andy Warhol was autistic. After all, much of the artist’s work focuses on repetition, on which those with autism usually fixate. In interviews, Warhol almost always responded to questions with monosyllabic answers, possibly evidence that he had the verbal dyslexia that is so common among those on the spectrum. He reportedly refused to wear anything but a certain kind of green underwear. Still, not everyone agrees that Warhol was autistic. Those who argue against this posthumous diagnosis suggest that Warhol’s different behavior was calculated in an effort to “enhance a sense of mystery.”

Ludwig Wittgenstein

1889-1951

The Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein is another inspiring historical figure who very likely had autism. In fact, Wittgenstein’s most famous work, “Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus” has been cited again and again as a classical example of the autistic thought process. Contemporary letters and diary entries reference Wittgenstein’s persistent irritation, especially when it came to understanding and dealing with those around him.

William Butler Yeats

1865-1939

Professor Michael Fitzgerald, the same Trinity College professor who recently published a paper asserting that Charles Darwin likely had some form of autism, claims the same thing about Irish poet William Butler Yeats. Fitzgerald cites Yeats’ extreme difficulty in school, where he was bullied for his lack of interest and awkward social behavior. He also brings up the fact that Yeats pined for years for Maud Gonne, despite her stated disinterest. Still, Yeats’ biographer, Oxford professor Roy Foster, rejects Fitzgerald’s idea’s.

23 Famous People With Autism You May Not Have Known About

While being on the spectrum can sometimes create challenges, these famous people with autism have been able to use their unique way of seeing the world to achieve great feats.

Some of these famous people with autism may surprise you. You may not have known that some of the best-known stars or some of the world’s most fascinating minds are actually on the spectrum:

1 of 24

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins was diagnosed with Asperger’s when, as he put it: “my wife was trying to figure out who she was married to.” He credits Asperger’s syndrome with making him extremely restless – and, in turn, an unusually hard worker.Flickr

2 of 24

Courtney Love

Courtney Love, singer of Hole, was diagnosed as “mildly autistic” when she was a young girl. Though she was unusually intelligent, she struggled with school and with social interactions. Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images

3 of 24

Dan Aykroyd

“My very mild Asperger’s has helped me creatively,” says comedic star Dan Aykroyd. “I sometimes hear a voice and think: ‘That could be a character I could do.’”Wikimedia Commons

4 of 24

Alonzo Clemons

Alonzo Clemons’s IQ is somewhere between 40 and 50 — but somehow, he is capable of creating incredibly detailed and lifelike 3D sculptures of animals. “No one taught him to do this,” says Nancy Mason, his assistant. For Clemons, she says, sculpting is an unstoppable instinct. “When they took away his clay, he would sculpt anything he could get his hands on.”www.alonzoclemons.com

5 of 24

Matt Savage

Composer and pianist Matt Savage taught himself how to read music when he was just six-years-old. By the time he was 11, his music career was so successful that he was signed to Bösendorfer pianos and performing for heads of state around the world.YouTube

6 of 24

Kim Peek

The inspiration behind the movie “Rain Man”, Kim Peek was famous for being able to perfectly memorize any book he read. While he did not have the motor skills to button up his own shirt, Peek could perfectly recall the contents of 12,000 books.Wikimedia Commons

7 of 24

Stanley Kubrick

It’s been widely speculated that directory Stanley Kubrick had Asperger’s Syndrome. The director has been described as an “intense, cool, misanthropic cinematic genius who obsesses over every detail.” Kubrick’s single-minded obsession with filmmaking was so strong that he could only enjoy life when he was standing behind a camera. “I’m happy – at times – making film. I’m certainly unhappy not making films.”Keith Hamshere/Getty Images

8 of 24

Craig Nicholls

Craig Nicholls, frontman of Australian rock band The Vines, was diagnosed with Aspeger’s Syndrome after being charged with assault for kicking a photographer during a show. When he was let go under the condition that he’d seek help for his condition, Nicholls shouted out: “I’m free!” When asked if Asperger’s was the root of his destructive behavior, Nicholls told an interviewer: “Yeah, I’d like to say that. That’s a good excuse anyway, for acting like a jerk.”Paul McConnell/Getty Images

9 of 24

Blind Tom Wiggins

Tom Wiggins was a master pianist of the 19th century, who could play anything he heard. Some called him the “human parrot” or the “human phonograph”. One of Wiggins’ most impressive tricks was playing three songs at once. He could play “Fisher’s Hornpipe” with his left hand, “Yankee Doodle” with his right, and sing “Dixie” all at once.Wikimedia Commons

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Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was never diagnosed with autism while he was alive, but autism expert Dr. Judith Gould insists that he “almost certainly had Asperger syndrome.” Warhol’s monosyllabic conversational style, meticulously structured routines, and unique creative vision all show strong signs that the legendary artist was on the autism spectrum, Dr. Gould says.Wikimedia Commons

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David Byrne

When asked about his condition, Talking Heads frontman David Byrne says that he just sees himself as “different” – not defective. “We all don’t have to be the same,” Byrne has said. “I used to get annoyed when folks placed value judgements on sociability — implying those who are not gregarious or social are somehow less — it’s just different.”Flickr

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Tim Burton

Tim Burton’s long-time partner, Helena Bonham-Carter, is convinced that the legendary director has Asperger’s. “You start recognizing the signs,” she has said. “We were watching a documentary about autism and he said that was how he felt as a child.”Gage Skidmore/Flickr

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Satoshi Tajiri

The creator of Pokemon, Satoshi Tajiri, has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. His colleagues have described him as “reclusive” and “eccentric” – but his unusual brain is the mastermind behind one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time.Victoria Mulneix/YouTube

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Daryl Hannah

The Splash and Kill Bill actress has been fairly public with her childhood diagnosis of Asperger’s. Hannah has said her autism has made her incredibly shy and fearful of large events. It is perhaps because of this that Hannah mostly stays clear of Hollywood anymore.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

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Leslie Lemke

Leslie Lemke struggles with his motor controls so badly that he can’t hold onto utensils without dropping them. When he sits down at the piano, though, he can play anything he hears. Lemke’s foster parents first realized his talent when they heard him, without ever having taken a single piano lesson, sitting down and playing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto no. 1 after only having heard it once on television.Chicago Tribune’s Sunday Magazine 1988

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Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin’s work has reshaped the way livestock are handled, thanks in a large part to her unique insight into how an animal’s mind works. But today, she’s best known for giving the world a unique insight into how the autistic mind works. Her books have helped tear down the stigma around autism and helped others to better understand how people with autism see the world.Flickr

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H.P. Lovecraft

Master of horror H.P. Lovecraft died before Asperger’s syndrome became a recognized diagnosis, but few have been posthumously diagnosed with it as often as he has. Multiple books have been written about Lovecraft’s unusual habits. “He certainly displayed all the symptoms,” one reads: “a lack of empathy and concern for others, obsessive interests, and a work ethic bordering on the compulsive.”Wikimedia Commons

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Stephen Wiltshire

Stephen Wiltshire is an artist with the uncanny ability to draw any landscape after only having seen it once. Pictured on the right is one of Wiltshire’s incredibly photo-realistic drawings.Wikimedia Commons

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Dan Harmon

“Rick and Morty” and “Community” creator Dan Harmon has never been formally diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, but he’s convinced that he has it. “I started looking up these symptoms, just to know what they are,” he said, “and the more I looked them up, the more familiar they started to seem.”Gage Skidmore/Flickr

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Daniel Tammet

Daniel Tammet made a name for himself when he recited pi from memory to 22,514 digits. His mind, though, is capable are far more incredible things than that. Tammet has the ability to master languages incredible quickly, once conducting a full interview in Icelandic after only studying the language for a week.Wikimedia Commons

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Glenn Gould

Eccentric master pianist Glenn Gould, whose performances were marked by strange habits like rocking and humming while playing the piano, has long been suspected to have had Asperger’s syndrome.
“Every new hall, every new piano and every new person was extremely stressful to Gould,” says Dr. Timothy Maloney, director of the music division of the National Library of Canada. “As he grew older, he needed to be at a remove from society. This is an arch example of an Asperger’s sufferer.”Wikimedia Commons

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Jedediah Buxton

Jedediah Buxton couldn’t write a word, but he had an incredible ability to do math. In the 18th century, he found work as a human calculator — a man who could sum up any math equation anyone needed, entirely in his head.Wikimedia Commons

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Derek Paravicini

Derek Paravicini was born extremely premature at only 25 weeks. He was blind and suffered severe learning disabilities — but he also had absolutely perfect pitch. Paravicini was 9-years-old when he played his first concert with an orchestra. He has played for Princess Diana and been featured on countless shows, usually labeled a “superhuman”.Wikimedia Commons

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23 Famous People With Autism Who Accomplished Incredible Things

“Much of the time,” says animal welfare pioneer Temple Grandin, “I feel like an anthropologist on Mars.”

Grandin has autism, but it would be hard to call her condition a disability. She has a Ph.D. in animal science and has spearheaded some of the most important and revolutionary ideas in livestock handling of the past century. Indeed, Grandin’s innovative ideas were made possible by her unique way of seeing the world.

Still, life as a woman with autism is not without its challenges. For Grandin, relating to other people with conventional brains – “neurotypicals”, as the autism community often calls them – can be very difficult.

It’s part of the strange, often poorly understood realities of life with autism. It’s a condition that can often go unnoticed; an invisible challenge that affects an estimated 1 in 59 people.

But it isn’t always just a disability. It’s a condition that can come with some incredible gifts – especially for these famous people with autism.

What Is Autism?

“Autism” is a very broad term. It describes a whole spectrum of conditions, all characterized by a few common traits, and just to name a few like repetitive behaviors and challenges with communication and social skills. For instance, you may have heard of or know of a person diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, which is also considered a spectrum disorder.

Some famous people on the autism spectrum are high-functioning which means that they can better integrate into society – even if they often see things slightly differently from the rest of their peers.

Others, however, are more strongly affected. One-third of those with autism suffer from an intellectual disability, and about just as many are susceptible to epilepsy.

One could say that a person with autism is wired differently. Their brain’s nerve cells and synapses are organized in a different way, and, as a result, process information uniquely.

Autism can sometimes leave people feeling isolated. “I do not fit in with the social life in my town or university. … Most of my Friday and Saturday nights are spent writing papers and drawing,” Temple Grandin has said. “My life would be horrible if I did not have my challenging career.”

Famous People With Autism

But autism isn’t without its gifts. The unique wiring of the brain often gives people with autism a whole different outlook on the world, letting them see it in ways other people wouldn’t even consider. And with that unique perspective can there also be an incredible memory or an unrelenting focus on one’s passions.

Perhaps that’s how these famous people with autism were able to become successful. Experts have also posited that many of these famous people with autism throughout history may well have gone through most of if not all of their lives unaware that they even had the condition.

But without the unique point of view that autism creates some of the great breakthroughs in human history may never have happened. Without people to see things a little differently, our world would simply stay the same.


Next up in famous people with autism, read about Kim Peek, the savant who inspired Rain Man. Then, check out these historical figures with mental disorders that you may not have known about.

25 Famous People With Asperger Syndrome

People & Politics

Posted by Sameen, Updated on August 27, 2019

Do you know anybody with Asperger Syndrome? You probably do. Asperger’s is a form of high functioning autism, and many people with autism have made enormous contributions to society. In fact, some of the world’s biggest and most well-known geniuses were autistic or had autistic tendencies. Here are 25 Famous People With Asperger Syndrome.

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Source: huffingtonpost.com

A famous movie director, Stanley was quite obsessive and had trouble dealing with people while making movies. While that sounds bad, his Asperger’s also led to his insane attention to detail and his eventual fame as a film director!

Source: yahoo.com

The Canadian actor said his Asperger’s helped him with the film Ghostbusters because he was obsessed with ghosts and law enforcement, both of which made him the perfect person for the role! For those of you that don’t know, Asperger’s can cause an individual to have intense focus on a narrow range of interests.

Source: huffingtonpost.com

Thanks to his social awkwardness and hyperactive nature, it has been suggested that the late comedian likely had an autism spectrum disorder like Asperger’s. Unfortunately, he also battled depression. Autistic spectrum disorders can lead to the classic “troubled artist” stereotype.

Source: huffingtonpost.com

The famous Renaissance artist was notable for being unable to keep relationships with anybody. Some experts have even hypothesized that his troubled social life and Asperger’s symptoms led to a more intense focus on his art work, which also led him to become a ninja turtle. Okay, just kidding. We couldn’t resist.

Source: yahoo.com

The seismologist famous for creating the Richter scale measurement of earthquakes, Charles was also well known for his social awkwardness. Although he fared poorly in the give-and-take of a conversation, if you asked him to talk about earthquakes…he wouldn’t stop. These sorts of one-sided conversations are typical of Asperger’s.



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Asperger Syndrome

Woody Allen

(December 1, 1935)

is a three-time
Academy Award-winning American film director, writer, actor, jazz
musician, comedian and playwright. His large body of work and cerebral
film style, mixing satire, wit and humor, have made him one of the most
respected and prolific filmmakers in the modern era.Woody has said the
following in a interview
I am a
neurotic in a more benign way. I mean I have a lot of neurotic habits,”
the quirky American director and actor told Reuters Television.I don’t
like to go into elevators, I don’t go through tunnels, I like the drain in
the shower to be in the corner and not in the middle,” Allen said in an
interview after showing his new comedy “Anything Else” at the 60th Venice
Film Festival

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James Maury “Jim” Henson

(September
24, 1936 – May 16, 1990)

was the most widely known puppeteer in American
television history. He was the creator of The Muppets and the leading
force behind their long creative run in the television series Sesame
Street
and The Muppet Show and films such as The Muppet
Movie
(1979) and The Dark Crystal (1982). He was also an
Oscar-nominated film director, Emmy Award-winning television producer, and
the founder of The Jim Henson Company, the Jim Henson Foundation, and Jim
Henson’s Creature Shop. Henson is widely acknowledged for the ongoing
vision of faith, friendship, magic, and love which infused nearly all of
his work

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Michael Edward
Palin, CBE

(born 5 May
1943)

is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best
known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and
for his travel documentaries. Palin wrote most of his material with Terry
Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as The
Ken Dodd Show
, The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set.
Palin appeared in some of the most famous Python sketches, including “The
Dead Parrot”, “The Lumberjack Song”, “The Spanish Inquisition” and “Spam”.
Palin continued to work with Jones, co-writing Ripping Yarns. He
has also appeared in several films directed by fellow Python Terry Gilliam
and made notable appearances in other films such as A Fish Called Wanda,
for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role

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William
Henry Gates III KBE

(born 28 October 1955)

is an American entrepreneur
and chairman
of Microsoft,
the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people
and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft had revenues of
US$51.12 billion for the fiscal year ending June 2007, and employs more
than 78,000 people in 105 countries and regions.

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Sir Alfred Joseph
Hitchcock KBE

(August
13, 1899 – April 29, 1980)

was an iconic and highly influential director
and producer
who pioneered many techniques in the suspense
and thriller
genres. After a substantial film career in his native Britain
he moved to Hollywood
and became an American
citizen in 1956, although he also remained a British subject.
He ultimately directed more than fifty feature films
in a career spanning six decades, from the silent film
era, through the invention of talkies,
to the colour
era. Hitchcock was among the most consistently successful and publicly
recognizable world directors during his lifetime, and remains one of the
best known and most popular of all time.

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Sir Isaac Newton FRS  

(4 January
1643 – 31 March 1727)

was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer,
theologian, natural philosopher, and alchemist to be the greatest single
work in the history of science, described universal gravitation and the
three laws of motion, laying the groundwork for classical mechanics, which
dominated the scientific view of the physical universe for the next three
centuries and is the basis for modern engineering. He showed that the
motions of objects on Earth and of celestial bodies are governed by the
same set of natural laws by demonstrating the consistency between Kepler’s
laws of planetary motion and his theory of gravitation, thus removing the
last doubts about heliocentrism and advancing the scientific revolution.

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Jane Austen

(16
December 1775 – 18 July 1817)

was a British novelist whose realism, biting
social commentary, and masterful use of free indirect speech, burlesque,
and irony have earned her a place as one of the most widely-read and
best-loved writers in British literature

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Albert Einstein

(March 14,
1879 – April 18, 1955)

was a German-born theoretical physicist. He is best
known for his theory of relativity and specifically mass-energy
equivalence, E = mc2.
Einstein received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics “for his services to
Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the
photoelectric effect.

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Hans Christian
Andersen
or simply H.C. Andersen

(April 2, 1805 – August 4, 1875)

was a Danish author and poet, most famous
for his fairy tales. Among his best-known stories “The Snow Queen”, “The
Little Mermaid”, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “The Ugly Duckling”.
During Andersen’s lifetime he was feted by royalty and acclaimed as having
brought joy to children across Europe. His fairy tales have been
translated into well over a hundred languages and continue to be published
in “millions of copies all over the world”.

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Henry Cavendish

 (October
10, 1731 – February 24, 1810)

was a British scientist noted for his
discovery of hydrogen or what he called “inflammable air”.He described the density of inflammable air, which formed water on
combustion, in a 1766 paper “On Factitious Airs”. Antoine Lavoisier later
reproduced Cavendish’s experiment and gave the element its name. Cavendish
is also known for his measurement of the Earth’s density and early
research into electricity.

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Charles Robert Darwin

(12
February 1809 – 19 April 1882)

was an English naturalist After becoming
eminent among scientists for his field work and inquiries into geology, he
proposed and provided scientific evidence that all species of life have
evolved over time from one or a few common ancestors through the process
of natural selection The fact that evolution occurs became accepted by the
scientific community and the general public in his lifetime, while his
theory of natural selection came to be widely seen as the primary
explanation of the process of evolution in the 1930s,
and now forms the basis of modern evolutionary theory. In
modified form, Darwin’s scientific discovery remains the foundation of
biology, as it provides a unifying logical explanation for the diversity
of life.

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Satoshi Tajiri

born on
August 28, 1965)

is a Japanese electronic game designer and the creator of Pocket Monsters, better known as Pokémon. Tajiri went to
work for Nintendo and spent the next six years working on Pokémon. He
became friends with Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, The
Legend of Zelda
, Pikmin, and Donkey Kong, who also
became a mentor to Tajiri. As a tribute to Tajiri and Miyamoto, Ash
Ketchum (the anime counterpart of “Red” in the games) is named Satoshi and Gary Oak (the anime counterpart of “Blue” in the English games, and
“Green” in the original Japanese version) is named Shigeru in the
Japanese version of Pokémon. Most recently, Tajiri (along with Nintendo
president Satoru Iwata) served as an executive producer for the Game Boy
Advance game ScrewBreaker released outside of Japan as Drill
Dozer
.

Satoshi
Tajiri has allegedly been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome according to the Independent.co.uk but i have been contacted by Game freak inc press officer saying this information is not correct.

Click here to see the email i recieved

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Charles Monroe Schulz

(November
26, 1922 – February 12, 2000)

was a 20th-century American cartoonist best
known worldwide for his Peanuts comic strip.Schulz’s
drawings were first published by Robert Ripley in his Ripley’s Believe
It or Not!
. His first regular cartoons, Li’l Folks, were
published from 1947 to 1950 by the St. Paul Pioneer Press; he first
used the name Charlie Brown for a character there, although he
applied the name in four gags to three different boys and one buried in
sand. The series also had a dog that looked much like Snoopy. In 1948,
Schulz sold a cartoon to the Saturday Evening Post; the first of
seventeen single-panel cartoons by Schulz that would be published there.
In 1948, Schulz tried to have Li’l Folks syndicated through the
Newspaper Enterprise Association. Schulz would have been an independent
contractor for the syndicate, unheard of in the 1940s, but the deal fell
through. Li’l Folks was dropped in January, 1950

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Thomas Jefferson

(April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826)

As a political
philosopher, Jefferson was a man of the Enlightenment and knew many
intellectual leaders in Britain and France. He idealized the independent
yeoman farmer as exemplar of republican virtues, distrusted cities and
financiers, and favored states’ rights and a strictly limited federal
government. Jefferson supported the separation of church and state and was
the author of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1779, 1786). He
was the eponym of Jeffersonian democracy and the co-founder and leader of
the Democratic-Republican Party, which dominated American politics for a
quarter-century. Jefferson served as the wartime Governor of Virginia
(1779–1781), first United States Secretary of State (1789–1793) and second
Vice President (1797–1801).

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Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

(March 6, 1475 –
February 18, 1564)

commonly known as Michelangelo, was an Italian
Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet and engineer. Despite
making few forays beyond the arts, his versatility in the disciplines he
took up was of such a high order that he is often considered a contender
for the title of the archetypal Renaissance man, along with his rival and
fellow Italian Leonardo da Vinci.

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Wolfgang Mozart

 (27 January
1756 – 5 December 1791)

was a prolific and influential composer of the
Classical era. His output of over 600 compositions includes works widely
acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano,
operatic, and choral music. Mozart is among the most enduringly popular of
classical composers, and many of his works are part of the standard
concert repertoire.

 Authors of fictional works have
found Mozart’s life a compelling source of raw material.An especially
popular case is the supposed rivalry between Mozart and Antonio Salieri,
particularly the idea that it was poison received from the latter that
caused Mozart’s death; this is the subject of Aleksandr Pushkin’s play Mozart and Salieri and Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera Mozart and
Salieri
. The idea receives no support at all from modern
scholars.Modern audiences have been gripped by the account of Mozart’s
life given in Peter Shaffer’s play Amadeus, as well as the film
based on the play. Shaffer seems to have been especially taken by the
contrast between Mozart’s enjoyment of vulgarity (noted above) and the
sublime character of his music. The scene in Shaffer’s work in which
Mozart dictates music to Salieri on his deathbed is entirely an author’s
fancy; for the question of whether Mozart did any dictation on his
deathbed at all see

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George Orwell

(25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950)

who was an English writer and journalist
well-noted as a novelist, critic, and commentator on politics and culture, George Orwell is one of the
most admired English-language essayists of the twentieth century, and most
famous for two novels critical of totalitarianism in general (Nineteen
Eighty-Four
), and Stalinism in particular (Animal Farm), which
he wrote and published towards the end of his life

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Ludwig Van Beethoven

(December 16, 1770– March
26, 1827)

was a German composer and virtuoso pianist. He was a crucial
figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras
in Western classical music, and remains one of the most respected and
influential composers of all time.

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Thomas Edison

(February 11, 1847 – October 18,
1931)

was an American inventor and businessman who developed many devices
that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph
and a long lasting light bulb. he was one of the first inventors to apply
the principles of mass production to the process of invention, and
therefore is often credited with the creation of the first industrial
research laboratory.

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Michael Jackson

(August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)

known as the King of Pop, was an American musician and one of the most commercially successful and influential entertainers of all time. His unique contributions to music and dance, along with a highly publicized personal life, made him a prominent figure in popular culture for over four decades.

Michael Jackson certainly shows signs of Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). His unusual behaviour has often been blamed on his upbringing, however his siblings are relatively normal, with a similar upbringing, so I do not feel this is the cause. Michael is often seen as shy, and has difficulty relating to many people. His friends are a few people with whom he has common interests, especially the background of being a child star. He mostly seems to be able to relate to children, however, perhaps reflecting the social immaturity which may be seen in Asperger’s. Regardless of maturity level, people with Asperger’s seem to be more comfortable with those older or younger than their peer group. This has never been confirmed but many sources feel there was a posiblity he might of had Asperger Syndrome.

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Mark Twain

(November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910)

Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens Better known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist. Twain is most noted for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn which has since been called the Great American Novel and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He is extensively quoted. During his lifetime, Twain became a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty.

Twain enjoyed immense public popularity. His keen wit and incisive satire earned him praise from both critics and peers. William Faulkner called Twain “the father of American literature”

 

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Henry Ford

(July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947)

was the American founder of the Ford Motor Company and father of modern assembly lines used in mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry. He was a prolific inventor and was awarded 161 U.S. patents. As owner of the Ford Motor Company he became one of the richest and best-known people in the world 

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was an Austrian pediatrician, after whom Asperger syndrome (AS) was named. He wrote over 300 publications, mostly concerning autism in children. 

is an English psychiatrist and physician.
As a result of having an autistic daughter, she became involved in researching developmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorders. She joined with other parents of autistic children to found the National Autistic Society (NAS) in the United Kingdom in 1962. She currently works part-time as a consultant psychiatrist at the NAS Centre for Social and Communication Disorders at Elliot House
 

is an English psychologist who lives in Queensland, Australia and is an author of several books on Asperger’s Syndrome.
Attwood also has a clinical practice at his diagnostic and treatment clinic for children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome, in Brisbane, begun in 1992

 

11 Famous People with Autism

What are the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder?

The soon someone is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the greater their quality of life. Early access to individualised and evidence-based education, intervention, and support means that they’ll be able to develop the communication and social skills that will help them throughout life. 

According to Aspect – Australia’s largest autism-specific service provider – signs of autism are often broken down into two categories:

Social communication issues

  • Difficulty understanding non-verbal communication, such as body language
  • Difficulty understanding when and how to appropriately respond in social interactions
  • Trouble developing, understanding and maintaining relationships with others

Repetitive patterns of behaviour

  • Repetitive use of movement, speech or objects
  • Easily upset by changes to routine, environment, and the familiar
  • Very narrow and intense focus on limited areas of interest

Famous people with autism spectrum disorder

While some celebrities have been open about their autism diagnosis, there has also been plenty of retrospective speculation about noted intellects – like Mozart, Andy Warhol and Charles Darwin – who may have been undiagnosed.

1. Dan Aykroyd

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Actor Dan Aykroyd credits his autism spectrum disorder with the idea for blockbuster movie Ghostbusters

“I also have Asperger’s but I can manage it,” Aykroyd told the Daily Mail. “It wasn’t diagnosed until the early 80s when my wife persuaded me to see a doctor. One of my symptoms included my obsession with ghosts and law enforcement — I carry around a police badge with me, for example. I became obsessed by Hans Holzer, the greatest ghost hunter ever. That’s when the idea of my film Ghostbusters was born.”

2. Jerry Seinfeld

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Controversially, Jerry Seinfeld described himself as being on the autism spectrum before recounting his self-diagnosis.

“I think, on a very drawn-out scale, I think I’m on the spectrum,” Seinfeld told NBC’s Brian Williams on Nightly News. “You know, never paying attention to the right things. Basic social engagement is really a struggle.”

“I’m very literal,” he explained. “When people talk to me and they use expressions, sometimes I don’t know what they’re saying. But I don’t see it as dysfunctional. I just think of it as an alternate mindset.”

Later he clarified to Access Hollywood: “I just was watching this play about it and … I related to it on some level. That’s all I was saying.”

3. Robbie Williams

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“There’s something missing in me, I have big blind spots,” the singer said on BBC Radio 2.

“Maybe Asperger’s or autism. I don’t know what spectrum I’m on – I’m on something. It’s quite hard work being in my head – I have an interesting compulsion, addiction, mental illness, I’d say.” 

4. Tim Burton

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Renowned film maker and artist Tim Burton hasn’t been formally diagnosed with autism but he identifies with the condition. His former partner Helena Bonham Carter has described the moment he realised he might be on the spectrum. 

“We were watching a documentary about autism and he said that’s how he felt as a child,” Helena said. “Autistic people have application and dedication. You can say something to Tim when he’s working and he doesn’t hear you. But that quality also makes him a fantastic father, he has an amazing sense of humour and imagination. He sees things other people don’t see.”

5. Albert Einstein

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According to autism expert Simon Baron-Cohen believes that based on biographical information, Albert Einstein exhibited traits consistent with autism. Although it’s impossible to make a definitive diagnosis, he says that Einstein’s genius intellect, loner tendencies and obsessive, repetitive behaviour indicated that he was on the spectrum.  

6. Bill Gates

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Tech icon Bill Gates is another person that has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by “armchair physicians”. The genius Microsoft founder has some renowned eccentricities – like “rocking” back and forth – that have lead people to speculate he has Asperger’s.

7. Steve Jobs

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Apple creator Steve Jobs had a notorious obsession with perfection, great intellect and general lack of empathy, which has lead some to believe that he was on the autism spectrum.

8. Dan Harmon

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Writer and producer Dan Harmon was diagnosed with autism late in life while he was writing for the show Community. He found that he very similar tendencies to the character of Abed, who is on the autism spectrum, which drove him to consult a doctor. 

“I started looking up these symptoms,” he says, “Just to know what they are. And the more I looked them up, the more familiar they started to seem.” 

9. Susan Boyle

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Scottish singer Susan Boyle recently revealed that she had spent her life believing she had brain damage after being misdiagnosed as a young girl when in fact, she was on the autism spectrum. 

“It was the wrong diagnosis when I was a kid,” she said. “I was told I had brain damage. I always knew it was an unfair label. Now I have a clearer understanding of what’s wrong and I feel relieved and a bit more relaxed about myself.”

“It will not make any difference to my life. It’s just a condition that I have to live with and work through.” 

10. Daryl Hannah

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Actor Daryl Hannah has been open about being diagnosed with autism as a young girl. She said the disorder manifested in debilitating shyness and a need to rock for self-soothing. She also said public events were a terrifying experience for her. 

“I was a little odd and incredibly introverted and withdrawn when I was young,” she told Women’s Weekly. “It’s confronting and always has been. But it’s the way I am; the way I have always been. I’m still not great in crowds. I’m fine one on one but in larger groups I lose my sense of self. Big events are always uncomfortable for me and I don’t know if I will ever grow out of it. I try to keep those feelings under control but it takes a lot of focus and concentration, and energy. It’s not always easy.”

11. Hannah Gadsby

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Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby recently revealed her experience with autism in an interview with The Project

“It was quite the process and evolution of thought for me. It didn’t make sense to me because I didn’t really know that women and girls could have autism,” Gadbsy explained. “Once I got diagnosed there was a sort of grief and confusion.”

“One of the biggest ones for me was I couldn’t reconcile my, you know, there’s a naivety to me and then there’s also like I’m really intelligent you know, in some ways. I struggle to leave proof all the time, but I know I’m intelligent,” she said.

“I’m like Eeyore but inside I’m a bundle of Piglets. Since diagnosis, I’m all embracing my Winnie the Pooh… that’s the best way I can put it.”

Gadsby is an official ambassador for Yellow Ladybugs, an Australian organisation which aims to improve support for women and girls with autism.

“I think a lot of the struggle that women have on the spectrum is a lot of the struggle that women that are not on the spectrum have and that is that we have a very narrow definition of what it means to be a woman,” Gadsby said.

“Women on the spectrum fall well outside what that definition means but there’s also a lot of neurotypical women that fall outside of that definition too – and that’s harmful.”

90,000 What You Need to Know About Asperger Syndrome | Vogue Ukraine

As awareness of mental disorders rises, celebrities and influencers share their mental differences and experiences. Recently, on the air of the American program Saturday Night Live, Elon Musk said that he had Asperger’s syndrome. In honor of World Mental Health Awareness Month, here’s an introduction to what Asperger’s Syndrome means and how to help people with the disorder adapt to the world around them.

Photo: Chris Madden / Getty Images

A Brief History of Asperger Syndrome

Asperger Syndrome was first described in the 1940s by psychiatrist Hans Asperger, who observed autistic-like behavior and difficulties with social and communication skills in boys with normal intellectual and speech development. In 1994, Asperger’s Syndrome was added to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, separating it from autism.In 2013, autism disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, and other common developmental disorders were replaced by a general diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. However, many experts still consider Asperger’s syndrome a less severe form of autism.

As the awareness and acceptance of people with various forms of autism has grown, so has the awareness that people with developmental disabilities can live independently, pursue careers and lead social lives depending on the form of the disorder.Notable personalities with Asperger Syndrome include such prominent people as director Stanley Kubrick, actor Robin Williams, one of the greatest presidents of the United States Abraham Lincoln, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk and environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

Elon Musk

Symptoms

Asperger’s [and other autism spectrum disorders] are characterized by four symptoms that manifest themselves to varying degrees in a person’s behavior, including difficulties with social interaction, repetitive behavior, persuasive adherence to one’s thoughts and focus on certain rules and actions.It is known that the cause of many symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome is changes in the brain, but doctors cannot yet identify specifically what provokes them. Potential triggering factors for the syndrome include genetic predisposition and exposure to environmental toxins such as chemicals and viruses.

Asperger’s syndrome is considered to be the less severe of the autism spectrum disorders. People with this syndrome are often characterized by the so-called high functionality, that is, the absence of delay in speech skills and cognitive development.People with Asperger’s syndrome are distinguished by normal and developed intellectual abilities – remember Elon Musk and Greta Thunberg. However, in order for a person with a developmental disorder to have more opportunities to socialize, get an education in regular classes and work, the diagnosis must be made as early as possible in order to teach a person to adapt to the conditions of the surrounding world even in childhood.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Asperger’s and other autism spectrum disorders are not treatable.It is hypothesized that the earlier a disorder is identified, the easier it is to help a person learn to socialize, fulfill their potential, and lead a productive life. But when it comes to mental disorders, there is no universal advice – an effective way for one may be completely useless for another.

The specificity of all autism spectrum disorders is that they are difficult to diagnose “in advance” and cannot be cured. To identify Asperger Syndrome in childhood, attention should be paid to the development of the child.In the case of noticeable developmental peculiarities, in comparison with other children and prescribed norms, one should consult a specialist and check key indicators, such as the ability to speak, social interaction, facial expression during conversation, interest in communicating with others, reaction to changes, degree development of coordination of movements and motor skills.

Due to the lack of universal tests that could help diagnose the syndrome, many patients often face the problem of “misdiagnosis” when Asperger’s syndrome is confused with ADHD.In any case, social skills training, speech therapy, physical therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy are beneficial for people with Asperger Syndrome who have difficulty socializing and adapting to change. This is necessary, first of all, so that people with autistic disorders have the opportunity to live comfortably in a world that is just beginning to adapt itself to the needs of people with special needs.

Asperger’s Syndrome: 6 celebrities who have had incredible success with this diagnosis | Joy-Pup – all the fun!

People with Asperger Syndrome have their own vision of the world and creativity, thanks to which many of them have contributed to the development of society at the international level.This made them world famous. Let’s find out which famous people are living with Asperger Syndrome.

Asperger’s Syndrome – what is this disease?

Asperger’s Syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate effectively with others. It is a mild form of autism spectrum disorder, and although rare, it can last for years or even a lifetime.

The syndrome was first described by the Austrian physician Hans Asperger in 1944. In common parlance, this is called a mild form of autism, because in many ways they are similar.Differs in correct speech development and intelligence, often even above average. Changes come later, because the first symptoms usually appear after the age of three.

Asperger’s disease often manifests itself through the so-called savant syndrome. It is characterized by the fact that the patient, despite the low level of IQ, has brilliant abilities in a narrow sphere. For example, he can paint a panorama of a city once seen with realistic attention to detail (even though he never took drawing lessons) or very quickly calculate complex math problems in his head.

People with Asperger Syndrome have difficulty with social and non-verbal communication, are often straightforward and usually very intelligent. Some people have exceptional talents. They are highly developed in one or more areas. At Joy-pup, we will tell you about famous people with Asperger’s Syndrome who were able to use their unique view of the world to achieve amazing success.

1. Elon Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk also suffers from Asperger’s syndrome and recently spoke about it for the first time.He made a name for himself on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, remarking that he was “the first host of a program with Asperger’s Syndrome” . During his opening monologue, he also joked about his Twitter behavior: “I know I sometimes post or say strange things on Twitter, but this is how my brain works. I want to tell everyone I have offended that I have reinvented electric cars and send people to Mars on a rocket. You thought I was going to be a quiet, normal guy? ”

2.Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg is renowned for her enormous commitment to climate issues. Most of all, the public was struck by the fact that the Swede became an activist at a very young age. Her intransigence and tenacity attracted attention.

Greta openly spoke about the presence of Asperger’s syndrome. The girl was repeatedly attacked on social networks and criticized for her appearance and facial expressions. In the end, she decided to respond to people who wrote viciously about her identity. “I have Asperger Syndrome, which means that sometimes my behavior deviates from generally accepted standards. But given the circumstances, being different from others is a kind of superpower. ”

3. Stanley Kubrick

A renowned filmmaker and one of the greatest and most influential directors in film history, Kubrick was born on July 26, 1928 in Manhattan, New York. He was a very shy person, but this did not affect his love of filmmaking. His most famous films were A Clockwork Orange, Doctor Strangelove, 2001 A Space Odyssey.

Stanley was posthumously diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. This disorder, experts say, influenced his insane attention to detail and constant pursuit of excellence, which ultimately earned him the fame of a great director. As is often the case with people with Asperger Syndrome, Kubrick had poor social skills and inflexibility. He died on March 7, 1999 in his sleep from a heart attack.

4. Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah is an American actress and environmentalist.After she was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, doctors recommended that she be admitted to a clinic and undergo treatment. The actress publicly spoke the truth about her problems with Asperger’s Syndrome and admitted that she had learned to cope and live with her diagnosis.

5. Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd is an American-Canadian actor, comedian, musician, director and businessman. In early childhood, a doctor diagnosed him with mild Asperger’s syndrome, although in 2015 he claimed it was a self-diagnosis.He often said that Asperger Syndrome was perfect for Ghostbusters because he was obsessed with ghosts and law enforcement. There is nothing strange about this, because Asperger’s syndrome can cause a person to focus on a limited number of interests.

6. Charles Darwin

Charles Robert Darwin was born on 12 February 1809 in Shropshire, England. He was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist known for his historical contributions to evolutionary science.His theory of evolution, considered a fundamental and widely accepted concept in science, claims that all types of life descended from common ancestors. He is considered one of the most influential people in human history.

Michael Fitzgerald, a leading psychiatrist and professor of child and adolescent psychiatry, conducted research and published an article concluding that Charles Darwin had Asperger’s Syndrome. Darwin’s childhood records state that he was a very calm, withdrawn child.He avoided relationships with other people as much as possible and looked for alternative ways of communication, such as writing letters.

Original article posted here: https://joy-pup.com/show-biz/sindrom-aspergera/

From Darwin to Hopkins. How Autism and Asperger Syndrome Affect Science and Art Stars

Autism as a way of living and the paradigm of neurodiversity

The diagnosis of “autism” in the mass consciousness still remains a stigma like psychopathy or mental retardation.At the same time, people with autism can perfectly adapt to life in society, achieve success in the profession and fruitfully engage in creative activities. Usually, in such cases, they talk about high-functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome. But from the point of view of modern world medicine, it is more correct to use a general label – autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which includes both relatively mild and more severe forms of autism. The difference between them is not that great. A deep non-verbal autistic, with the right diagnosis and timely support, can become a “highly functional” professor and scientific celebrity (as happened with Temple Grandin), as well as a musician, artist or actor.

Autism is considered a “childhood” diagnosis, while Asperger’s syndrome is often diagnosed in adulthood. Singer Susan Boyle received it when she turned 48, and Anthony Hopkins is almost on the cusp of her 80th birthday.

Other creative people with confirmed Asperger Syndrome are musician David Byrne of Talking Heads and actress Daryl Hannah. Some show signs of autism in the behavior of Bill Gates, Woody Allen, Tim Burton and other celebrities, although none of them have an official diagnosis – or are not ready to make it public.

David Barth, Apes

Back in 2001, Steve Silberman, one of the main contributors to the topic, referred to autism as “the geek syndrome.”

Many employees at Microsoft and other Silicon Valley corporations are diagnosed with autism. Love for algorithms and developed abstract thinking are some of the typical characteristics of ASD.

In some cases, autistic traits can contribute to success in the field of scientific and artistic creativity. The range of talent among autists is almost as wide as among “neurotypes” (people who correspond to a relative mental norm), and is by no means limited to computer programming.

In 2004, psychiatrist Michael Fitzgerald of Trinity College Dublin published the book Autism and Creativity, in which he retrospectively diagnosed the highly functional form of autism in Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Lewis Carroll, Albert Einstein and politicians Michelangelo.

Sam Goldstein

Many consider autism to be a modern disease and call an outbreak of its spread “the pandemic of the 21st century”.Most likely, something else is true: autistic people have always been among us. It’s just that we only recently learned to understand this.

The manifestations of ASD strongly depend on the mental characteristics of a particular person. Autism seems to be superimposed on personality traits and at the same time becomes an important part of them. Most autistic people are not like the “rain man” from the movie of the same name with Dustin Hoffman. They do not calculate the root of three in one second, do not have photographic memory or any other extraordinary abilities (although there are most savants among autists).But these are not weak-willed, withdrawn creatures who bang their heads against the wall and cannot live without constant help and supervision.

These are the same different people, like us, “neurotypes”. But at the same time, they see the world from a completely different angle.

Since autism cannot be cured or died, it is more correct to consider it not a disease, but a neurological feature that requires acceptance and correction rather than cure. Autism is a special way of human existence caused by abnormalities in the functioning of the brain and nervous system.This approach to understanding autism is called the neurodiversity paradigm. In Western countries, it is gradually replacing the paradigm of pathology, according to which autists need to be isolated and treated. Some of the characteristics of autism can be extremely unpleasant and painful for the person with autism and those close to them. But these same features, under favorable conditions, can turn out to be valuable for intellectual and creative work.

Many autistic people have high sensory sensitivity and logical and mathematical abilities, developed memory and an incredible ability to concentrate on their work.In 2015, researchers at the University of Stirling found a relationship between autism and high creativity in a series of experiments. Compared to neurotypical people, autistic people were able to come up with fewer ways to use objects and solve problems. But their methods turned out to be more creative and unusual. This means that most autistic people have less developed so-called divergent thinking, but they think more original and, apparently, can better focus on the task.

Iris Grace, Rainding Cats

The social games that we spend most of our time on are simply not fun for most autistic people. Therefore, they can indulge in their hobbies – no matter how strange they are – and care much less about the opinions of others.

Many autistic people perform poorly on IQ tests and have difficulty in school. This is true even for renowned geniuses like Einstein, who learned to read and write later than his peers.But many of the problems of autists are associated not with their low mental abilities, but with the lack of educational methods, negative social attitudes and an elementary lack of understanding. The more we learn about autism, the more reason there is to remove the stigma of underdevelopment from autistic people and stop discrimination against them.

What is autism

According to the DSM-5 International Classification of Mental Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined by two main characteristics:

  • Difficulties in social communication. Difficulty making eye contact, abnormal gestures and body language (stimming), lack of interest in the emotional life of others, inability to recognize and express emotions, inability to maintain close relationships.
  • Limited, repetitive behavior, activities and interests. Stereotyped gestures, monotonous speech, strict adherence to certain rules and rituals, narrow and fixed interests, high perceptual sensitivity that can lead to sensory overload – especially among strangers and in new environments.

There are many theories, but the causes of autism are still unknown to us.

Autism can manifest itself in very different ways in two different people. Since this is a neurological difference, and not a collection of specific behavioral signs, the manifestations of autism are highly dependent on other characteristics of the person’s psyche and – to a large extent – on his social environment.

Isaac Newton, who was pathologically incapable of small talk and devoted entirely to scientific research, may have shown the same signs of autism as someone who collects images of weather vane or knows the transport schedule of his city by heart.

In one case, we call it genius, in the other – “narrowness of interests” and “rigidity of behavior.” The difference is that Newton’s discoveries turned out to be valuable and useful for the whole society. The world of transport schedules may have their own Newtons and Einsteins, but we simply will never know about their existence.

David Barth, Vogels (“Birds” in Dutch), 2008 (at age 10)

Art on the Spectrum

Stephen Wiltshire paints architectural landscapes on paper with photographic precision.Today he is one of the most famous autistic artists in the world. In the book Anthropologist on Mars, Oliver Sachs was one of the first to describe his work, comparing Wiltshire’s paintings with the works of other artists with RAS:

“Jessie Park, an autistic artist, painted only natural anomalies and the starry sky. Shiohiro Yamamura, also an autistic artist, painted some insects, and Johnny, also an artist who suffered from the same ailment, according to the testimony of the psychologist Mira Rothenberg who was watching him, at one time preferred electric lamps, and if he painted something else, animals or people, then I managed to compose their figures from the same electric lamps. “

For the work of many autistic artists, one feature is characteristic: they create their paintings from separate fragments and parts, as if they were laying bricks.

This quality seems to depend on the degree of autism – for some other artists with ASD it is not at all typical. American artist Katie Miller, for example, paints unusual hyperrealistic portraits and landscapes with vibrant colors and unusual perspectives. She was diagnosed with autism at the age of 19.In an interview with Marie Claire magazine, she says that it was autism that helped her fully focus on work and determined many of the characteristic features of her works.

For many autistic people, creativity is the most important way of communicating with the outside world. Nicole Appel, an artist from New York, paints portraits of their personality in the form of subject compositions for loved ones. She gave her boyfriend, who is fond of baseball, a painting with detailed images of baseball players and game events.The studio she works in is right in the heart of Manhattan. This is a Pure Vision Arts center dedicated to people with autism and other mental disabilities. The center also organizes exhibitions of works by autistic artists and the sale of their works.

Similar organizations also exist in Russia, although they appeared only a few years ago. Art workshops are an important part of the first center for social habilitation of autists in Russia “Anton is here next” .

Several exhibitions of autistic paintings have already taken place in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Nicole Appel, Oysters and Teddy Bears

Derek Paravicini suffers not only from autism, but also from profound mental retardation. This does not prevent listeners and critics from calling him one of the most talented jazz musicians of our time.

By the way, according to today’s diagnostic criteria, Mozart would probably also be on the autism spectrum. He had a very sensitive hearing and increased excitability, made involuntary movements with his arms and legs, and did not know how to maintain small talk.His letters indicate that he had echolalia – the repetition of the words and expressions of the interlocutor, characteristic of autists. Musical talent is generally characteristic of many people in the “spectrum”. In music, as in mathematics, it is possible to satisfy the autistic desire for harmony, order and repetition.

There are even more undiagnosed autists in science and philosophy than in artistic creation.

Wittgenstein appears to be the highly functional autistic .This is indicated by his early dyslexia, obsession with speech, immoderate perfectionism, inability to lie, and absolute disregard for social conventions.

Many people with Asperger Syndrome should understand Wittgenstein’s desire to develop an ideal language free of ambiguity and riddles, which he implemented in the “Logical-Philosophical Treatise”.

Concentration on one topic, bordering on obsession, is the most important characteristic of both genius and autism.This trait has been very prominent among some scientists, who are rarely able to think about anything other than their work. This also includes the love of order and systematization. There are many characteristics in common between scientist and autistic thinking. Perhaps mild autism, combined with high intelligence, even contributes to fruitful scientific work.

To the question “how do people with Asperger’s syndrome live?”For this reason, it is difficult to imagine a psychological novel written by an autistic person. But there are also writers among famous autists. This is, for example, Donna Williams, who described her difficult experience of growing up and socializing in the book Nobody Nowhere.

Researchers suggest that Emily Dickinson, Virginia Wolfe, William Butler Yeats, Herman Melville and Hans Christian Andersen were highly functional autists (although there are some doubts about each of them).

Most autistic people are closed in a rather narrow sphere of their interests. But within this realm, they can do an incredible amount. Even a mild form of autism can be a source of intense distress, not to mention constant social inconvenience. But autism does not limit creativity, and in some cases even enhances it. We must remember this if we want to understand people with this disorder, of whom there are more and more every year around the world.

90,000 Worldwide celebrities with autism – News

By Sergey Serebrov Read 3 min Views 118 Published Updated

Autism spectrum disorders manifest themselves in different ways. Autism is a very broad concept. It is a developmental disorder associated with malfunctioning of the brain. Autism is sometimes called the “disease of geniuses.”

According to various estimates of experts, approximately 5 million people worldwide suffer from this disease.The first symptoms of autism usually appear before the age of 3 years. It is characteristic that the child self-isolates within himself, does not talk, does not want to play with peers, avoids eye contact, and sometimes is aggressive. According to official statistics, in Russia in 2019 the number of children diagnosed with autism exceeded 31 thousand for the first time.

Autistic people have difficulty communicating, communicating and imagining. They also have tough behavior.

Many celebrities around the world have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.Who are these people?

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, an outstanding Argentinean footballer. At the age of 8, he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, which is one of the autism spectrum disorders.

The fact that Messi is fighting this disease paradoxically helps him in his career. People with Asperger’s Syndrome work according to certain patterns. They also have good memories. These two qualities Messi uses when entering the football field.

Anthony Hopkins

Sir Anthony Hopkins is a famous television and film actor.Everyone knows his role in the film “The Silence of the Lambs”.

In recent years, Hopkins said in interviews that he was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. As he tells about himself, he is a loner, does not like to go to parties, he has few friends.

When asked how Asperger helped him as an actor, he replied, “I definitely see people differently.”

Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah, famous actress. Then Hannah starred in the films “Blade Runner”, “Steel Magnolias” and “Kill Bill” and others.She was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when she was a child.

As she tells about herself, as a child she was a very shy person, she was afraid of public speaking and was constantly swaying. She still doesn’t like being in the spotlight. Because of this, she stopped acting in high-budget films. Premieres, galas and other events that are attended by many people terrify her.

Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd is a Canadian actor and musician.He was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role in Driving Miss Daisy. He is best known for the Blues Brothers, in which he co-starred with John Belushi.

When Aykroyd was 12 years old, he was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. When he was an adult, doctors also discovered that he had Asperger’s Syndrome.

He said in an interview that one of the symptoms of Asperger’s was an obsession with ghosts and law enforcement.

Andy Warhol

American artist Andy Warhol, one of the main representatives of pop art, could also suffer from autism spectrum disorders.Although he was not diagnosed during his lifetime, experts say he had traits to indicate this.

Warhol was considered an eccentric. All due to the fact that he had a peculiar view of human relations and an obsession with consumer goods. His friends recalled that since childhood, Warhol had accumulated many items that he did not even take out of the package.

Celebrities and Autism ~ Autism | AVA

The statistics are striking: one in 88 children in the United States suffers from autism. However, it turns out that the families of some celebrities have not only been affected in one way or another by autism spectrum disorders, but have also invested heavily in raising public awareness of autism issues and contributed financially to new research.

Sylvester Stallone

At the time, the news that his youngest son was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3 was a big blow for Sylvester Stallone. “Having a child in such a predicament is incredibly sad,” he briefly told People shortly after his son was diagnosed in 1985. “It’s almost like a radio station: it appears and disappears from the signal.”
Sylvester says he found his own way to keep in touch and communicate with his son.“You cannot force him to enter your world. I just kind of agree with everything he does, ”he said. “Sometimes he likes to draw – almost abstract things – and he has puzzles that we work on together. After he gets to the point where he starts to trust you, there may be a little more communication. The initial therapy is the repetition of words and instructions. He showed an extraordinary memory, but he could not apply what he had learned. ”
Sergeo is now 31 years old.Sylvester protects him from the press. He is divorced from Sergeo’s mother, and is currently married to Jennifer Flavin, from whom he had three daughters.

Dan Marino

The son of Dan Marino, a former defenseman for the Miami Dolphins, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. Dan and his wife began to worry when they noticed some developmental delay in their son Michael. The couple ventured into the Dan Marino Center at Miami Children’s Hospital to help children with developmental and mental disabilities.

Michael is now 21 years old. After receiving intensive care at an early age, he is now living a fulfilling and wonderful life.

Toni Braxton

8-year-old Diesel, the son of the famous singer and Grammy winner Toni Braxton, was diagnosed with autism in early childhood. “As a mom, I knew something was wrong with him since he was about 9 months old,” she said. “By the time he was one and a half, I said, ‘He’s not developing like his older brother.”

Braxton is now an active advocate for autism research, and even participates in campaigns by the American organization Autism Speaks. “Early diagnosis is life-changing,” says Tony. “He is engaged in occupational therapy, speech therapy, he was included in the general education system, he studies in a comprehensive school. Yes, he has one-to-one educational therapy, but we are very, very lucky. ”

Jenny McCarthy

Jenny McCarthy has always been an outspoken and controversial autism awareness activist since her son Evan, now 9, was diagnosed with autism.The actress who founded the Jenny McCarthy Autism Organization has argued that vaccinations were the culprit for her child’s autism, despite research suggesting otherwise.

After years of therapy, Jenny says her son has made significant improvements. “Evan couldn’t speak – he’s talking now. Evan couldn’t make eye contact – he’s making eye contact now. Evan was antisocial – now he’s making friends, ”Jenny says in an interview with The Times.“It was amazing to see how certain therapies worked for some children but didn’t work at all for others … If something didn’t work for Evan, I didn’t stop. I stopped therapy, but I myself did not stop. ”

John Travolta and Kelly Preston

The son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, Jet, suffered from autism, but unfortunately passed away at the age of 16. The couple announced to the public about the illness of their child after his death.
Preston said her child was “the most wonderful son a couple could only dream of.”

The lives of many other celebrities have been affected by the problem of autism.

  • Actress Holly Robinson Peet gave birth to twins in 1997, one of whom, Rodney J., was diagnosed with autism at age 3.
  • Former NFL quarterback Doug Flati also has an autistic son. It was reported that until the age of two, the baby developed normally and even talked, and after he was 2 years old, he gradually stopped talking completely.
  • Actor Aidan Quinn’s daughter is autistic. “The incidence of autism has risen 500% since my daughter was diagnosed,” says the actor, who is involved in many autism research organizations.
  • The son of Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider, Chasen, is diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. “Chasen responded well to speech and language therapy and then moved on to occupational therapy. But some of the things that most children learn in some way through osmosis, a child with Asperger’s needs to be taught. ”

Source: http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/953451/celebrities-with-autistic-children 90,000 25 Celebrities with Asperger Syndrome Who Will Hit You / Mental Disorders / Psychopathology | Thpanorama

Did you know that some of the brightest minds in all of history have Asperger Syndrome? It may surprise you, but entrepreneurs like Bill Gates, visionaries like Steven Spielberg, or artists like Adele suffer from it ..

But what is Asperger’s syndrome? It is a developmental disorder characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and non-verbal communication, along with behaviors and limited and repetitive interests.

It is necessary to clarify that there are also different levels. Some people show clearer symptoms, while others are barely perceived because it is much less aggressive.

List of Celebrities with Asperger Syndrome

1- Albert Einstein

One of the most famous minds in history. Your intelligence stands out from the rest.

He did not speak fluently until he was nine years old, his grades were not brilliant, and his parents even believed that he had some mental retardation.

Those who met him personally said that he was a man completely obsessed with his work and that he rarely stopped talking about him. Here are some of the symptoms that suggest that Albert Einstein may have suffered from Asperger’s Syndrome.

2- Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin, the creator of evolutionary theory, suffered from Asperger’s Syndrome, or at least as Michael Fitzgerald, a professor at Trinity College in Ireland, said.

Fitzgerald explained that both his obsession with nature and his loneliness were clear symptoms of a person suffering from Asperger’s disease ..

3- Nikola Tesla

The famous engineer was known, as well as for his revolutionary inventions, for his phobias … Plus, his sudden changes in humor betrayed him.

Many studies that were done a posteriori that diagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder.

4- Andy Warhol

Director and Plastic Artist Pop Art , Andy Warhol may have suffered from Asperger’s Syndrome.

Reasons? As you will see in the case of Woody Allen, his obsessions were persistent and brought him to limits that even touched upon implausibility.

5- Isaac Newton

The famous physicist showed the symptoms of suffering from Asperger’s syndrome. Newton’s social circle has already argued that it was difficult for him to go out and communicate.He usually does not receive visitors, and even more so, they conduct them.

To make matters worse, for Newton everything that was not studied was a big waste of time.

6- Susan Boyle

The famous singer Susan Boyle is one of the most striking cases of this syndrome.

When people began to suspect their symptoms due to their strange behavior, Susan confirmed this publicly to silence rumors. Her own star explained that she had rather poorly spent her as a child after being insulted and contemptuous….

7- Steven Spielberg

The famous filmmaker found it difficult to communicate with friends as a child. Spielberg preferred to spend his time playing with his toys and making up stories.

8- Tim Burton

The director of the film has always denied any type of syndrome.

However, his wife and actress Helena Bonham Carter was the one who repeatedly explained the manifestations of autism that her husband suffers from.

9- Bill Gat is

While it’s hard to believe, one of the richest people in the world and one of the founders of Microsoft seems to suffer from some degree of Asperger’s Syndrome.

Your constant skating, when concentrated, may be a symptom of your syndrome. It ends up getting ratified when he gets angry easily and avoids, especially in interviews, eye contact.

10- Woody Allen

Everyone knows that Woody Allen is obsessive. The eccentric director needs to take his temperature every two hours, and he likes to sleep in his boots, this is another reason to suspect and even claim that he has the syndrome.

11- Dan Aykroyd

The symptoms of Dan Aykroyd, an actor, comedian and American showman, are very similar to those of other colleagues in the guild such as Steven Spielberg or Tim Burton: a detached childhood and a rather closed social circle.

12- Keanu Reeves

Always in the mouths of the tabloid press, one of the most common rumors in the United States about Keanu Reeves is that he suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome.

Several experts have studied their movements, and they extract that their fleeting glances and their difficulty in communicating in front of the means are some of the main determinants to assert that he suffers from this disorder.

13- Sid Barrett

The founding singer and guitarist of Pink Floyd did not perform in public. The voice of his leader was pushed into the background by other members of the group ..

His timid way of playing on stage raised doubts among scientists of the time, who were trying to confirm Asperger’s Syndrome ..

14- Vernon Smith

One of the most renowned economists in the international arena and a Nobel laureate in economics is one of the few cases in which he has been diagnosed with the syndrome and has also been publicly acknowledged….

15- Lionel Messi

One of the best players in history has clear symptoms of suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome.

His lost gaze and his difficulties in dealing with both the press and his teammates are a prime example that can betray his misery.

16- Daryl Hannah

Famous actress, translator Madison in surge . He recently confirmed his autism. According to her, as a child, she was diagnosed, which confirmed the news.

17- Michael Phelps

One of the best athletes of all time is one of the many individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome.

His strange behavior in front of cameras betrays him. Like Lionel Messi, Phelps often turns his back. It seems to get lost in your mind often and you rarely see it :).

18- Ludwig van Beethoven

Those closest to the famous composer claimed that he was an obsessive person, unable to communicate and communicate with people, as this implied withdrawal from music, which he did not tolerate.

19- Satoshi Tjiri

The creator of the famous series of Pokémon drawings is also not saved from Aperger’s syndrome ..

He was diagnosed when he saw that he could not recognize the emotional and personal gestures that were in his close friends ..

20- Lewis Carroll

Posted by Alice in Wonderland He suffered from persistent attacks of epilepsy, one of the most common characteristics in those diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome….

His obsession with reading was also another symptom that exacerbated the disorder he suffered ..

21- Stanley Kubrick

One of the most famous Hollywood filmmakers suffered from Asperger’s Syndrome.

The reasons can be found by observing his perfectionism in his creations (2001: Odyssey in Space and Mechanical Orange are prime examples of this), nervousness in front of the press or constant company of dogs.

22- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The reason for including Mozart in the list comes from an experiment in which it was found that many autistic people who are sensitive to hearing can only tolerate the music of this genius….

It is for this reason that it is believed that Mozart himself may have suffered from this syndrome.

23- Glenn Gould

The famous pianist suffered the same obsessive compulsive disorder as other musicians such as Mozart.

His childhood was not entirely surrounded by friends, and it was his obsession with music that helped him move forward and become one of the greatest pianists of his time.

24- Marcelo Rios

One of the greatest Spanish-American tennis players stated in 2014 that he suffered from the syndrome.

His always strange attitude along with the suffering he experienced and his obsessions were the reasons that made him confirm this.

Of the 70 symptoms extracted from the syndrome, I feel identified with a total of 69 ” The athlete said.

25- Bram Cohen

The famous programmer always shows strange reactions to the camera. Low stare and babbling.

If we add this to his story, in which he admits that he did not have a very easy childhood in which he spent most of his time on computers (he only learned to program from the age of five), we can think of him as about Asperger….

90,000 10 celebrities whose illnesses could not put them on the road to fame / AdMe

… Meanwhile, many of these people go to their goal, literally gritting their teeth, not paying attention, including to health problems.

We at Bright Side recently saw a video showing how the popular singer Billie Eilish cannot hide uncontrollable nervous tics during a conversation.Then we learned that as a child, this charming girl was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. But Billy isn’t the only celebrity with a serious illness. Many stars do not hide their health problems, and their stories of will and love of life are inspiring.

Billie Eilish – Tourette’s syndrome

Tourette’s syndrome is a disease of the central nervous system. People exposed to it suffer from multiple motor and vocal tics. Singer Billie Eilish was diagnosed with this disorder as a child. She does not deny her illness, but she never promotes with it.

Here you can see what the mentioned symptoms look like in Billy’s case.

Sia – Graves ‘disease, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

With Graves’ disease, the thyroid gland produces so many thyroid hormones that they gradually poison the body. Over time, people with this condition develop noticeable goiter and bulging eyes. The singer Sia said that she was diagnosed with this disease back in 2010.Since then, she has undergone treatment and assured fans that her condition has improved.

In 2019, Sia said that she suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome , as a result of which her skin has too much elasticity.

Gerard Butler – tinnitus

As a child, Gerard underwent surgery on one ear, after which it remained deformed. Since then, he suffers from ringing in his ears and can hardly hear with the affected organ. According to the actor, it is to this ailment that he owes his asymmetrical smile.

Jimmy Kimmel – narcolepsy

American TV presenter, actor, comedian Jimmy Kimmel suffers from a disease characterized by sudden daytime bouts of sleepiness. People diagnosed with this ailment may suddenly fall asleep anytime, anywhere. Because of this frustration, Kimmel had already fallen asleep at the wheel and in public gatherings. According to him, bouts of drowsiness create the feeling that someone has gently sat down on the brain, preventing it from functioning normally.

George Clooney – chronic pain

In 2005, a popular actor had an accident on the set. The spine was damaged, resulting in leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Since then, the artist has been haunted by constant pain , from which it is sometimes impossible to fall asleep. He takes strong medications that make the discomfort bearable, but do not get rid of it.

Frankie Muniz – multiple micro-strokes and memory loss

When Frankie was only 7 years old, he first suffered a concussion while playing hockey.Soon the incident repeated itself: the young actor fell and hit his head during a baseball game. In total, Muniz experienced about 9 concussions in his life, and this could not but affect the future health of the star.

The artist had micro-strokes 15 times. He now suffers from memory loss. For example, the actor cannot remember how he starred in the series “Malcolm in the Spotlight”, which brought him worldwide fame.

Nick Jonas – type 1 diabetes

The singer spoke about his illness in 2007. The disease was diagnosed when Nick was 13 years old. The artist complained that since he learned about the disease, he felt very lonely. However, frank confession helped him cope with depression. The fans encouraged the star in every possible way, and in the end they managed to inspire Nick.

Now he tries to share his experience of a fulfilling life with other people who also suffer from diabetes, and even wrote the song “A little longer”, in which he spoke about his struggle with the disease.

Pete Davidson – Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is a difficult-to-treat disease of the gastrointestinal tract. It can cause deep ulcers in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, including the oral cavity. The actor and ex-fiancé of Ariana Grande Pete Davidson has been suffering from this ailment since the age of 17. The illness caused the young guy to become addicted to painkillers, without which he literally could not work. But in 2017, he reached out to fans and assured them that he was able to overcome addiction.

Daisy Ridley – endometriosis

The Star Wars star Rey admitted to having spent years trying to cope with this gynecological condition. All this time she suffered from constant pain in the pelvic area and skin problems. Thanks to the painstaking work on her health, as well as the efforts of good doctors, the actress was able to achieve progress in the fight against the disease. She specifically spoke about her illness in order to convince fans not to close their eyes to similar problems and always turn to specialists in such cases, without fear of appearing as a hypochondriac.

Greta Thunberg – Asperger’s syndrome

Asperger’s syndrome leads to difficulties in social interaction, as well as to a sharp narrowing of the range of interests. This diagnosis was made to Greta when she was 8 years old. Then the girl first heard about environmental problems and became so fixated on this topic that she fell into apathy and lethargy.

Now the young eco-activist does not treat the syndrome as a disease, but calls it her superpower, which helps her to concentrate on the really important things.

What do you think, can the news of the idol’s disease scare away fans? Or does such information only fuel people’s love?

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