History’s 30 Most Famous People with Autism

Though autism spectrum disorder 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 famous autistic people on this list.

Famous People with Autism

• 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 spectrum disorder 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 spectrum disorder, this list of autistic celebrities is meant to be helpful and inspiring to those who themselves fall somewhere on the spectrum.

Related: Who Was the First Person to be Diagnosed With Autism?

Dan Aykroyd

1952-present

One of the most famous people with Asperger’s Syndrome is popular comedic actor Dan Aykroyd.  He had already been expelled from two different schools by the time a doctor diagnosed him with mild Asperger’s 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 autism 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
• farmer

Banneker 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 spectrum disorder. 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 autism spectrum.

Henry Cavendish

1731-1810

Henry Cavendish is perhaps one of the most important scientists in history. He was a natural:

• philosopher
• chemist
• 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.  He 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 including:

• writing poems that were extremely unconventional for her time period
• living a reclusive lifestyle
• getting 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
• rigid patterns

Albert Einstein

1879-1955

Is Albert Einstein autistic?  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

One of the most famous people with Aspergers is Bobby Fischer.   Bobby Fisher, the chess grandmaster and World Chess Champion, is said to have had Asperger’s Syndrome.  He was also suspected to have 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

Is Bill Gates 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
• his habits of avoiding eye contact on the rare occasion he speaks directly with someone else

These are all common characters of those with autism spectrum disorder, and the evidence that Bill Gates may be autistic is quite persuasive.

Temple Grandin

1947-present

One of the most recognized celebrities with autism is Temple Grandin.  In fact, there may be no autistic person alive today more famous than Grandin. The author and Colorado State University professor didn’t begin speaking until she was almost four years old. 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
• be named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people
• produce an award-winning biopic about her life

She remains an outspoken advocate in the autism community.  She 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, she 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.  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 autism spectrum cite such behavioral quirks as his:

• obsession with perfection
• unorthodox ways of thinking
• 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”
• “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”
• “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
• 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.  He 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 autism spectrum. The researchers, who also argue that Albert Einstein was autistic, mention in their 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 mild 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 and was extremely sensitive to light and sound.  He 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 spectrum disorder. 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 spectrum disorder, 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 ideas.

Related:

• How Has Autism Been Portrayed in the Media?
• Is EFT Tapping Effective with Those with Autism?
• 30 Great Jobs for People on the Autism Spectrum

Famous Autistic People | On The Spectrum

The following Individuals are VERY LIKELY to have been on the spectrum

Albert Einstein – Scientist & Mathematician

Charles Darwin – Naturalist, Geologist, and Biologist

Bobby Fischer – Chess Grandmaster

Bill Gates – Co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation

Thomas Jefferson – Early American politician

Nikola Tesla – Inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist

Andy Warhol – Artist, film director, and producer

Steve Jobs – Founder and former CEO of Apple

Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician, physicist, astronomer, theologian, and author

Michelangelo – Sculptor, painter, architect, poet

Henry Ford – Founder of Ford Motor Company

Marie-Curie – Scientist who pioneered research on radioactivity

James Joyce – Novelist, short story writer, poet, teacher, and literary critic

Alfred Kinsey – Sexologist & Biologist

Mark Zuckerberg – Co-founder of Face Book, media magnate, internet entrepreneur, and philanthropist

Stanley Kubrick – Film director

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Classical composer

Hans Christian Andersen – Children’s author

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Benjamin Banneker – African American Almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and agrarian

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Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) – writer of children’s fiction, notably Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass

Henry Cavendish – Natural philosopher, scientist, and an important experimental and theoretical chemist and physicist

Emily Dickinson – Poet

Paul Dirac – Theoretical physicist who is regarded as one of the most significant physicists of the 20th century

Dawn Prince-Hughes – PhD, primate anthropologist, ethologist, and author of Songs for the Gorilla Nation

Jerry Newport – American author and mathematical savant, basis of the film Mozart and the Whale

John Elder Robison – author of Look Me in the Eye

Judy Singer – Australian disability rights activist, sociologist who coined term “Neurodiversity”

Alan Turing – Father of modern computing, mathematician and logician, code breaker in WW2

Barbara McClintock – Scientist and cytogeneticist who was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Francis Galton – Statistician, sociologist, psychologist, anthropologist, tropical explorer, geographer, inventor, meteorologist, proto-geneticist, psychometrician

Daniel Tammet – Essayist, novelist, poet, translator, and savant

Gary Numan – Musician, singer, songwriter, composer, and record producer

Ludwig Wittgenstein – Philosopher who worked primarily in logic, the philosophy of mathematics, the philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of language

William Butler Yeats – Poet, dramatist, prose writer and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature

James Durbin – Musician

Lizzy Clark – Actress and activist

Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian

Adam Young – Singer and songwriter behind Owl City

Given this list of successful people, who wouldn’t want to be on the spectrum!

90,000 10 famous people with Asperger’s Syndrome. Dropi

December 4, 2017, 13:05
/ Author: Oksana Byvaltseva

Asperger’s Syndrome is a form of high functioning autism that is a lifelong dysfunction that affects how a person perceives the world, processes information and relates to other people. Many people with autism have made enormous contributions to society. In fact, some of the most famous people or geniuses have been autistic.

Source:
list25.com

Stories
#celebrities
#asperger’s syndrome

1. Stanley Kubrick

Famous film director, Stanley Kubrick was quite intrusive and had trouble interacting with people. Asperger’s Syndrome sharpened his attention to detail and may have made him a great filmmaker!

2.

Dan Aykroyd

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

3. Robin Williams

Due to his social awkwardness and hyperactivity, it has been suggested that the late comedian probably has a form of autism very similar to Asperger’s syndrome. It is also known that he struggled with depression for a long time.

4. Susan Boyle

The famous Scottish singer won 2nd place in Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. Although she was diagnosed with brain damage at birth, the diagnosis was subsequently invalidated. She actually has Asperger’s, which partly explains her lack of control over her emotions.

5. James Durbin

James placed 4th on American Idol in 2011. And he has not only Asperger’s syndrome, but also Tourette’s syndrome. Apparently, singing helps him cope with both.

6. Abraham Lincoln

The sixteenth president of the United States suffered from depression and anxiety attacks, symptoms that many researchers have linked to autism. In addition, Lincoln often had nervous breakdowns.

7. Daryl Hannah

When she was young, social interaction was a real nightmare for Daryl. She even rocked back and forth to calm herself. Despite this, she continued to overcome all difficulties and became a famous actress in Hollywood.

8. Courtney Love

Legendary rocker and widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, Courtney was diagnosed with early stage autism at age 3.

9. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Despite his social difficulties, Mozart was a musical prodigy. He wrote his first music at the age of 5. As you can see, this brilliant man with Asperger’s Syndrome was able to achieve the greatest results.

10. Bill Gates

Although not confirmed, some observers have noted that Bill Gates exhibits signs of Asperger’s Syndrome: his rocking back and forth, disdain for conflicting opinions, focus on trifles, and monotonous speech. In fact, these “amateur” sightings have led many ordinary people with Asperger’s to see him as a hero.

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Celebrities with ASD: 8 inspiring stories

According to the World Health Organization, one in 160 children in the world has some form of autism spectrum disorder. “Rain people” are immersed in their inner world, so it can be difficult for them to build relationships. But thanks to an unusual perception of the world and colossal attention to detail, they often reach great heights in their favorite business. This is proven by the story of Alan Gardner, the hero of the Gardener’s Syndrome on TLC, and other celebrities with ASD.

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Courtney Love

Anthony Hopkins

Daryl Hanna

voice compilation

people with special needs

Courtney Love

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

American singer, 53

Kurt Cobain’s widow had a difficult childhood and adolescence. When Courtney was five, her parents divorced, and her father was deprived of parental rights for giving his daughter LSD. At the age of nine, Courtney was diagnosed with a mild form of autism. Due to her violent nature, it was not easy for her to find a language with her classmates, Courtney had problems with her studies, she was expelled from school. At 14, she ended up in a juvenile correctional facility for stealing a T-shirt from a store. She worked as a DJ, danced striptease, studied theology at Trinity College in Ireland, began acting in films in the mid-80s, then founded the rock band Hole, married the leader of Nirvana and had a daughter. In 2012, Courtney made her debut as an artist. Called “And She’s Not Even Pretty,” Courtney created the collection using ink, pastels, watercolors, and colored pencils.

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It would seem that for a person with autism, Courtney leads a very active public life, but the lyrics of her songs (for example, the single R * tard Girl about a shy and clumsy girl) and the choice of film roles (drug-addicted Alsey in Milos Forman’s film “The People against Larry Flint”) show what an abyss she felt between herself and most other people.

THIS IS INTERESTING

Anthony Hopkins and other stars who have had alcohol problems

“For fifteen years I drank everything that poured,” says Anthony Hopkins about the beginning of his acting career with the Royal National Theater company, from where he was fired for drunkenness. But the actor made the decision to quit drinking not after another performance on the drunken stage – it was just the genius who managed it easily, but one hungover morning, when Hopkins woke up driving his car in an unfamiliar place. But still, “being in the shoes of an alcoholic is an amazingly rich life experience,” the actor assures.

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Lewis Carroll

British writer, 1832-1898

The absurd novel Alice in Wonderland is a book eccentric and captivating forming, and only a person with a special perception of the world could create it. Lewis Carroll had pronounced signs of autism spectrum disorder: from childhood it was difficult for him to get along with people, he suffered from desperate shyness, which was aggravated by severe stuttering. Like many famous autistic people, he had a strong ability in mathematics, to which he devoted more than one scientific work. In addition, the writer was fond of photography and chess.

Childhood in the family of a parish priest, studying at a private grammar school and decades of bachelor life and work in Oxford, death from bronchitis at 65 years old – this is how Carroll’s biography can be briefly recounted. But, most likely, like many people with ASD, the life of a classic with all the adventures and turbulent experiences flowed mostly in his inner world.

Anthony Hopkins

British actor, 80 years old

As a child, Hopkins suffered from dyslexia, study was difficult for him, and he decided to devote himself to art, and meeting with Hollywood star Richard Burton at the age of 15 helped him make a choice professions. The actor was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome quite late – when he was over seventy. Anthony admits that he really has few friends and does not like parties, but he really likes to study people’s behavior, as well as analyze in detail the motives of the characters’ actions.

Daryl Hannah

American actress, 57

The actress was diagnosed with autism as a child, later replaced by Asperger’s syndrome. Daryl’s parents were offered the treatment of the girl with psychotropic drugs in a specialized clinic, but her mother refused. Daryl Hannah grew up as a shy child and suffered from insomnia, which is partly why she became interested in cinema.

Despite the strong self-doubt and pathological fear of the public, which often forced her to refuse to participate in shows and interviews, the actress played in dozens of films and earned eight awards, including two Saturn Awards and an MTV movie award. Daryl hid her diagnosis from the public and producers for many years, talking about it only in 2013. She still does not like to be in the center of attention, but, by her own admission, lives happily.

David Byrne

American musician, 66

The Talking Heads frontman’s catchy voice, quirky lyrics, and vibrant performances earned him an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe. Critic Pauline Cale once wrote that David has “an introverted, disembodied, fantastical quality about which there is something incomprehensible and almost autistic.” How close she was to the truth! In 2003, 12 years after the band’s breakup, it became known that David Byrne had Asperger’s Syndrome. The artist says that music helped him overcome the disease, although, according to experts, it is impossible to completely recover from autism spectrum disorders. Nevertheless, David lives an active life, participates in musical projects and is fond of cycling.

Susan Boyle

Scottish singer, 57

In 2009, an unemployed Scottish woman became a sensation at Britain’s Got Talent. In 2012, the musical I Dreamed A Dream was staged in the UK, based on the story of the singer.

Susan was born as the tenth child of Irish immigrant parents in Scotland. She was misdiagnosed with brain damage. Studying at school was hard, Susan suffered from bullying classmates. Six months as a trainee chef was Susan’s only work experience that no employer wanted to accept. She had to live on a disability pension, and her legal capacity was recognized as incomplete. All these years, Susan dreamed of becoming a singer and even tried to participate in music competitions, but her attempts ended in failure. However, she did not give up – the difficulties she faced from childhood hardened her character.

With her appearance at a talent show in April 2009, Susan touched the hearts of the people of Britain. Since then, she has released seven albums, starred in the movie The Christmas Candle, and has become one of the most popular (and richest) singers in the world. In 2013, she was finally diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. The singer, who had been labeled “mentally retarded” since birth, felt relieved. Of course, Susan is still not easy: she has to deal with anger, depression and anxiety, but the artist admits that it has become easier for her to accept herself.

Donna Williams

Australian artist, 1963-2017

Donna Williams is an artist, sculptor, singer, composer, writer and poet. She was born into a troubled family: her father suffered from bipolar disorder and her mother was an alcoholic. At the age of two, the girl was diagnosed with “neurosis”, later replacing it with a “mental disorder”, and only at the age of 27 she was diagnosed with autism.

As a child, Donna often rubbed her eyes furiously to lose herself in the “bright patches of fluffy color” that were her refuge from the “obsessive mumbling” of the human world around her. By the age of nine, two subpersonalities had developed in her: the rebellious, destructive and ill-mannered Willie and the kind and polite Carol.

At the age of 15, the girl left home, changed jobs and boyfriends. She still managed to finish school and get a Bachelor of Arts degree from La Trobe University in Melbourne. Donna’s book Nobody’s Nowhere: The Astonishing Autobiography of an Autistic Girl became a bestseller, followed by Somebody, Somewhere and Like a Color to a Blind Man, also based on the author’s life. In addition, she has published two collections of poetry and prose, several teaching aids for children and adolescents with autism, recorded two albums, and created a number of amazing paintings and sculptures. At 53, Donna died of cancer.

Alan Gardner

English gardener

Winner of numerous prestigious landscape design awards and TLC’s The Gardener’s Syndrome, he has Asperger’s Syndrome.