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List of Some Famous Autistics
Stories of success because of autism, not despite it.
Albert Eistein
His genius partly lay in “mind experiments,” wherein he visualized and manipulated accurate physics experiments in his head. While extreme in his case, this is common amongst autistics. They are able to experience the world through a manipulated reality in their mind.
Leonardo Da Vinci
He has long been suspected of having a form of autism. He never actually created most of his inventions and only drew them. When tested, his inventions work as intended, indicating that he had the ability to the workings of his inventions when he drew them.
Ludwig Beethoven
Many experts agree that the legendary composer may also have been on the autism spectrum. He often isolated himself to compose his music, had difficulties with social interactions, and his behaviours were eccentric and obsessive.
Charles Schulz
Schulz struggled socially. It was from this social awkwardness that he developed his characters. His unique perspective led to refreshingly obvious comedy as there weren’t any complicated motivations or emotions.
Wolfgang Mozart
Although nobody knows for sure if Mozart had autism or Asperger's, based on his very unique talent for music and his occasional strange behaviours, we assume he sits somewhere on the autism spectrum disorder.
Elon Musk
Musk has described his social struggles in his childhood as a result of being autistic, and his achievements are likely to reflect autistic strengths in science and tech. In an interview last year, he said it was “rewarding to spend all night programming computers … just by myself”.
Temple Grandin
Temple struggled socially her whole life and her unique and insightful approach to the cattle industry was a direct result of her autism. Her ability to engineer solutions to problems people didn’t even see, let alone understand, at the time is exceptional.
Carl Jung
Carl Jung is a giant in the history of psychotherapy. Yet, he had deficits socially and emotionally. He had problems making friends, leading him to be solitary and isolated. It is also likely that both of his parents had ASD based on what we know of their behaviour.
Dr Vernon Smith
Dr. Smith is thought to have invented the field of experimental economics with his gifts. He feels his ASD has kept him from social pressure to do things the standard way, allowing him to approach his work differently with new ideas.
Courtney Love
Courtney was diagnosed with autism and has given it credit for her successes despite the social challenges she has faced due to it. She was non-verbal as a young child, then suddenly bloomed and spoke well. She is an undisputed musical genius whose life is entirely dedicated to music.
Vincent Van Gogh
The International Journal for Forensic Researchers has claimed that Vincent Van Gogh had autism. From his earliest years, he exhibited the salient features of ASD (formerly Asperger Disorder). Despite being socially inept, he was brilliant and creative , much like other renowned figures in history.
Thomas Jefferson
Autistic individuals often view rules as universal truths and this likely aided Benjamin Franklin in developing the American constitution, a document unlike any before, a relevant legal document being largely applicable even 200 years after the document was signed.
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin is believed to have had Asperger's syndrome. His behaviour, such as his preference for solitude, avoidance of social interactions, and focus on his work, which aligns with traits associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Nikola Tesla
Tesla is often considered to be on the autism spectrum. His extraordinary mind had a near-perfect recollection, could perform intensely complex computations in his head, and invented a number of astonishing items professed to be far ahead of their time.
Dan Aykroyd
Dan, diagnosed with autism, openly shares how it has helped his career. He has struggles navigating social interactions. However, he has used these challenges to play socially awkward characters.
Mark Zuckerberg
He has openly stated that he does indeed have Aspergers. His form of autism came with great gifts as well: He started programming when he was only 12 years old and eventually went on to create incredible platforms that changed the face of social media forever.
Greta Thunberg
formally diagnosed with autism, has credited her extraordinary dedication to environmental issues directly to her autism. At a TEDx talk, she shared, "For those of us who are on the spectrum, almost everything is black or white."
Susan Boyle
Officially diagnosed, Boyle's social experiences as an individual highlight the critical need for understanding individuals with Asperger's syndrome. She openly advocates for the gifts that come with autism.
Bobby Fischer
His obsessive focus on chess (his ability to spend countless hours studying the game), social difficulties (he struggled to understand social cues), and rigid behaviour (his adherence to specific routines and rituals) suggest he was autistic.
Anthony Hopkins
Anthony disclosed his diagnosis later in life and has attributed his insecurities and isolation as a youngster to his newly-discovered condition. Individuals with Asperger’s often exhibit remarkable memory skills and focus on a few very narrow interests such as Anthony does.
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