This post is the
continuation of #Puzzled with Autism campaign, which will be running until end
of April as it was extended due to highly positive response and demand.
In the first
case of autism, Dr. Leo Kanner used the term to diagnose a social and emotional
disorder. Though it wasn't until 1943
that “autism” was used as a diagnostic term, 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. I have picked 10 famous people who most likely you
know, but may not have known them as autistic.
Michelangelo’s artistic
genius may have been a symptom of autism.
Michelangelo had obsessional behaviour, a fiery temper, and tendency to
be a loner which could be signs of autism.
Michelangelo was also obsessive and followed repetitive routines. If he did not follow these routines, it would
create great frustration. Michelangelo
has been described as strange, without affect, and isolated, as well as being
“preoccupied with his own private reality. Such characteristics, all of which
were determined through dozens of contemporary notes and letters, are
consistent with those with high-functioning autism and may have helped him
become the creatively artistic individual he is famous for.

Evidence from researchers
at Cambridge University suggests that Isaac Newton had Asperger’s Syndrome. 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.
Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791) – Classical Composer
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.
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.
Albert Einstein
(14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955) – Scientist & Mathematician
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.
Though it has never been explicitly stated that three-time Oscar winner Woody Allen is on the Autism Spectrum, both Allen himself and various experts seem to agree that that’s likely the case. The writer, director, actor, and musician is well known for his quirky ways. As Allen has stated, “I am a neurotic in a more benign way. I mean, I have a lot of neurotic habits. 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.”
On a list of the greatest living actors, Sir Anthony Hopkins would almost certainly be included. The actor, who won an Oscar for portraying Hannibal Lector in The Silence of the Lambs, has been diagnosed with high-functioning Asperger’s Syndrome (though Hopkins hasn’t said at what point in his life he received the diagnosis). When talking about the way being on the Autism Spectrum affects him, Hopkins says, “I don’t go to parties, I don’t have many friends, but I do like people.”
Temple Grandin, who revolutionized the livestock industry
with her focus on the humane treatment of animals, was diagnosed with autism as
a child. Grandin earned countless accolades, including a doctoral degree, and
her life inspired an Emmy award winning HBO film starring Claire Danes. She is
one of the first individuals on the autism spectrum to publicly share insights
from her personal experience of autism. She also invented the "hug
box" - device to calm those on the autism spectrum. In fact, Grandin is
one of many women diagnosed with autism who have gone on to break down barriers
across fields ranging from entertainment to anthropology.
In April 2009, Susan Boyle, a middle-aged church
volunteer from a small town in Scotland, auditioned for Britain's Got Talent with
her favourite song "I Dreamed a Dream"—and more than 200 million
video views later, she had captured the attention of the world for her soaring
vocals and humble personality. Though she didn't win, Boyle went on to release
seven albums, including 2009's I Dreamed
A Dream, which became the fastest selling UK debut of all time and
skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard charts. The rise to fame came as a
surprise to Boyle, who was often bullied as a child. It wasn't until she turned
51 that she was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Boyle has gone on to
headline her own international singing tour, appear in everything from a
musical based on her own life to Zoolander
2, and has even performed for the Queen.
When she was just 15, Applegate became the first British
woman with Asperger's to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games. She brought
home the gold for the Women's 200m freestyle at the London games and went on to
win three more medals the following year at the IPC World Championships in
Montreal: gold in the 200m freestyle, silver in the 200m medley, and bronze in
the 100m freestyle. Applegate dipped into a pool for the first time when she
was just a few months old when her mother took her to a local swimming club. By
age 10, Applegate began competing regularly, and she has gone on to shatter
records, all while visiting schools and swim groups across the UK to share her
inspiring story.
These are just a few famous people among thousands of talented autistic. Who do you find the most inspirational? Always happy to hear your thoughts in comments.
It's great to participate in raising awareness of autism.
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