Famous people with autism
So as the number of individuals with autism and Aspergers continue to increase and they become a greater part of the public conversation regarding research and treatment, one question that comes up frequently is “what famous people have Autism”?
Well, to most of those familiar with this disorder, the idea of someone famous with Aspergers would almost be considered an oxymoron as the word “famous” usually conjures up images of someone who is always in the spotlight and likes going to social engagements or just hanging out with their friends. For those with Autism however, nothing could be further from the truth.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Dooley
One contributing factor to this is that unfortunately for many of those how do or might have Autism, it is something that can easily be misunderstood and for doctors it can also be misdiagnosed. In some situations, it can go undetected as late as into adulthood and for even a few, it may only come through their own perseverance to understand themselves. So why is that?
For starters, unlike many others who have autism, people with Asperger’s rarely display a delay in either language or cognitive development. So why’ll they may have a lack of social skills, they’re ability to communicate can still help them get through their day-to-day routine.
In addition to that, if Aspergers is difficult to diagnose for doctors, then it might stand to reason that this would also be true for the public. For those in the limelight, like those in television, radio or the movies for example, perception is something that is important to them and thus something they strive to control when they appear in the public eye.
Putting that aside though, if we’re able to remove the cameras, makeup and the like, who are some of the famous contemporary people of today who have Autism? One footnote to add here is that for many of these people; their diagnosis is based on self evidence and in fact not medically proven.
With that said, this group includes:
- Paul Allen (entrepreneur)
- Dan Aykroyd (actor)
- Bob Dylan (musician)
- Bill Gates (entrepreneur)
- Temple Grandin (author)
- Al Gore (politician)
- Daryl Hannah (actress)
- Alfred Hitchcock (director)
- Garrison Keillor (public radio)
- Clay Marzo (surfer)
- Craig Nicholls (musician)
- Keith Olberman (sportscaster)
- Tim Page (author)
- Oliver Sacks (author)
- Charles Schultz (cartoonist)
- James Taylor (musician)
- Andy Warhol (artist)
- Robin Williams (comedian)
In addition, there are also many historical people that are thought to have had Aspergers and they include:
- Jane Austen (writer)
- Ludwig Van Beethoven (musician)
- Thomas Edison (inventor)
- Albert Einstein (scientist)
- Henry Ford (auto maker)
- Benjamin Franklin (politician)
- Abraham Lincoln (politician)
- Henry Thoreau (writer/philosopher)
- Mark Twain (writer)
In many ways we may never truly know how many other famous people may have Asperger’s because as mentioned previously, those under the spotlight tend to prefer to control what the public does or doesn’t see in regards to themselves? That said, what are some of the traits that these people exhibit that lead to that conclusion?
Some of these individuals, like Albert Einstein, may have had language delays as a child. Others such as Bill Gates, were unable to develop peer relationships and still some, like Benjamin Franklin’s, had an obsession or even compulsion with order. All of these are examples of characteristics common to those with Autism.
Despite the challenges that Autism (and even Asperger’s) present though, some of these people show or have shown us that one can overcome these obstacles and lead a happy and rewarding life. In fact, we see that by simply combining some of their unique traits such as their ability to focus or strong perseverance along with their strong academics, they have shown that perhaps Autism can be a blessing whereas many may see it as a weakness.
So what do you think, are there any we have missed. Leave us a comment below and let us know your thoughts.
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Category: Autism
I would have thought Steve Jobs was a contender too – own agenda,obsessive,perfection to detail etc…
I Found out i have it too, :/ I really didn’t expect it, I thought I was just weird :/
The lovely Craig Nicholls, of the Australian band the Vines, has Aspergers.
You seem to have missed the aspie who ushered in the age of electricity – Nicola Tesla
I think this list is pretty comprehensive, but what about Michael Jackson. He was notoriously bad with relationships and some even suspected, but never proven that he was a pedofile. Not that THAT has anything to do with Aspergers, however, not KNOWING you are and what the heck is wrong with you may lead you to some mental deviations, MAY being the operative word.
I recently found out I was Aspergers on top off already having been ADHD. My life had pretty much been one huge failure. I am academically and intellectually top notch but my social abilities are few. I never had real friends, managed to have a girlfriend I alienated after 2 weeks and somehow have gotten married but now I have destroyed this too and we are on a brink of divirce. I have constant problems staying on a job and misread people all the time. I am a ridiculously easy prey for online schemers and I can’t get into any religious or spiritual circles cause I get bored easily and stop attending. I feel like maybe 2-3 people have understood me and everyone else thought me harmless but useless, too. I have had multiple suicidal attempts and struggle with severe depression on a regular basis. When I take meds I adopt them so quickly I basically become a depressed pill popper and they keep increasing dosages my body overcomes in no time.
Bottom line: I don’t know about a blessing but I have yet to see it so. To me it is a curse, it has destroyed so many things in life I held dear and hurt so many people. I wish I never had it. Like Xmen 3 where they had that antidote to unmutant you, I would have been FIRST in line and took a double dose just in case. I have severe self esteem issues for, if you can’t keep a job or develop a career and suck at dating, what else is there to live for?
I can relate to everything to have said here. Turn to philosophy. It will lead you to an inner peace that I know now. It’s hard to get bored studying it because there are so many questions to ponder and it helps cope with the stress and anxiety we aspies face daily. Have a good day or night!
Your post has me crying inside. I want to encourage you to look up Indigo Children and maybe learning the spiritual side of this and life itself will help to be able to learn to find balance in your life. God is love and we are born in the light of that love. We need to look at people as incredibly unique individuals and we need to stop with this crazy “societal norm”. We are spiritual beings not robots for someones factory or army!
what about the artist Stephen Wiltshire – autistic artist who can accurately draw cityscapes eniterly from memory?
Did I not, through one of your previous postings, see Elvis mentioned… It is interesting to see some of my favorite people listed as Aspie, i.e Einstein & Dr. Franklin… It was Ben, who loved his air baths, who got me naked & enjoying the persistent Mojave winds… Knowing others have dealt with this malady & led sucessful or maybe even happy lives is encouraging, but what I have gained through your site & my, just arrived, “Emotional Mastery” outweighs the knowledge that Bob Dylan is weird just like me (I unfortunately did not receive the man’s genius, but, I’m certain, scored far lower on the spectrum scale) I love & appreciate this site !!!
Thank you so much for this site. It is really hard being weird but now, at 61 and just self-diagnosing I am starting to understand my life and see my weirdness is maybe something quite good. If I get famous I will write again and add myself to this list. (Just joking)
Three years ago I fell in love with a wonderful man, he is 49 years old. I new there was something different with him and felt the need to help him.
Four months ago I got him to do the aspergers test online and scored 37. This was the best thing the understanding it gave us.
He made an appointment at a specialist ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) clinic spent half a day there and was given his diagnoses.
Life is much easier now for both of us its the understanding awareness he is simply wired different.
Our relationship has grown stronger and we are both grateful for this Aspergers test site.
Well,THAT explains a lot. You didn’t mention genius as a side-affect. It helps us cope to some degree over time.
I would like to contribute Jonathan Swift to the list of famous historical figures who may be on the autism spectrum. Read his biography. There are details of his life and examples of his unpublished humor that are convincing.
Also would like to add: Mark Zuckerberg and Thomas Jefferson.