ASD diagnoses are becoming increasingly common among adults and children, including myself. I used to feel embarrassed about my autism, but now I want to show newly diagnosed individuals and their families that autism is a strength, not a weakness. There’s no reason to feel ashamed of an autism diagnosis.
Dan Aykroyd – Actor and Film Writer
Aykroyd is a renowned comedic actor, best known for his role and writing in the classic film Ghostbusters (1984). He has a strong fascination with ghosts and law enforcement, which are among his restricted interests.
Albert Einstein – Scientist & Mathematician
While it is uncertain, it is widely believed that Albert Einstein would be considered to have autism spectrum disorder under today’s diagnostic criteria.
Daryl Hannah – Actress & Environmental Activist
Daryl Hannah is recognized for her performances in Splash, Blade Runner, and Steel Magnolias. Diagnosed with autism as a child, she struggled with social interaction and remained shy and fearful of the spotlight as an adult. Despite this, she found solace in her passion for movies which eventually led her to a successful acting career.
Anthony Hopkins – Actor
Anthony Hopkins is a highly-acclaimed actor who won numerous awards. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in childhood, he exhibits traits commonly associated with the condition such as obsessive thought patterns, challenges in forming and maintaining relationships, and a unique perspective on the world.
Heather Kuzmich – Reality TV Contestant & Model
Heather Kuzmich was a contestant on America’s Next Top Model in 2007. She displays traits commonly associated with autism, including difficulty comprehending jokes, trouble with social discussions about others, and challenges maintaining eye contact.
Tim Burton – Movie Director
The possibility of Tim Burton having autism remains uncertain, but his partner Helena Bonham Carter believes that he does. He possesses a distinctive perspective and can become deeply immersed in his work, to the point of tuning out his surroundings.
Henry Cavendish – Scientist
Cavendish was a renowned scientist born in 1731 and passed away in 1810, best known for his discovery of hydrogen. He displayed traits associated with autism such as a preference for solitude, difficulty making eye contact, and communicating through written notes instead of verbally. He also went to great lengths to avoid social interaction, such as ordering meals by leaving notes and building a private staircase to avoid the housekeeper.
Charles Darwin – Naturalist, Geologist, and Biologist
Charles Darwin is suspected to have had autism spectrum disorder, characterized by his reserved demeanor, avoidance of social interactions, and preference for written communication over verbal. He was deeply dedicated to his work and had a highly focused approach.
Emily Dickinson – Poet
Emily Dickinson, a classical poet from 1830-1886, is thought by many to have had autism. She was known for being introverted and had a consistent and simple style of dress. She also displayed a greater ease in interacting with children than with adults.
Bobby Fischer – Chess Grandmaster
Fischer is renowned as a chess grandmaster and World Chess Champion. He was known for his discomfort with unstructured experiences and had difficulty with social interaction.
Bill Gates – Co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation
Bill Gates is suspected to have autism, evidenced by his tendency to rock, monotone speech, and discomfort with eye contact.
Barbara McClintock – Scientist and Cytogeneticist
McClintock was a remarkable scientist who made significant advancements in the field of chromosome study, particularly in understanding their changes during reproduction. She is believed to have had autism. She had the ability to concentrate intently on her areas of interest, particularly her work, and found social attention highly discomforting, almost to the point of declining the Nobel Prize.
Michelangelo – Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
Michelangelo, a renowned artist born in 1475, is believed to have had autism, characterized by an intense focus on his work, challenges with emotional regulation, difficulties in social interaction, and a reliance on strict routines.
Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician, Astronomer, & Physicist
Newton, like many others, sought to limit his social interactions as much as possible. He found socializing unpleasant and was perceived as awkward in conversations.
Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian
Jerry Seinfeld is widely regarded as one of the most successful comedians of all time. He openly identifies as having autism spectrum disorder, due to his past difficulties with socializing and a tendency to interpret things literally.
Satoshi Tajiri – Creator of Pokémon
Tajiri, as a child, was captivated by insects and built upon this fascination as an adult by creating the Pokemon franchise.
Nikola Tesla – Inventor
Tesla is believed to have suffered from multiple phobias, including sensitivity to light and sound. He preferred solitude and is thought to have had an obsession with the number three.
Elon Musk – Entrepreneur
Elon Musk publicly revealed his autism diagnosis while hosting “Saturday Night Live” in May 2021, claiming to be the first person with Asperger’s to host the show. He is one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, with a net worth exceeding $150 billion.
Clay Marzo – Professional Surfer
Marzo is a successful professional surfer from Hawaii who was diagnosed with autism in childhood. He has achieved numerous victories in surfing competitions, including scoring two Perfect 10s at the National Scholastic Surfing Association at the age of 15.
Dr. Vernon Smith – Professor
Smith, a professor of economics at Chapman University, is considered to have established the field of experimental economics, resulting in a Nobel Prize. He believes that his autism spectrum disorder has been an advantage, as it frees him from social conventions and allows for a unique and open-minded approach to his work, leading to innovative ideas.
Autism is a SUPER POWER and don’t forget that! You can read more in my Autism Section!
Love, Bee xxx