List of people on the autistic spectrum facts for kids

This page talks about famous people who have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a way of thinking and behaving that is different for each person. It includes conditions like autism and Asperger syndrome. People with ASD might see the world in a unique way. Many famous people have ASD, and their unique perspectives have helped them achieve great things.

Famous People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Talented Actors and Singers

• Dan Aykroyd was diagnosed with Asperger's. He is a famous actor. He says his Asperger's helped him with the movie Ghostbusters because he was very interested in ghosts and law enforcement.
• Susan Boyle has Asperger's. She became a famous singer after winning second place on Britain's Got Talent in 2009.
• James Durbin was diagnosed with Asperger's. He became a famous singer and guitar player after winning fourth place on American Idol in 2011.
• Daryl Hannah has autism. She is a well-known actress who was diagnosed with autism when she was a child.
• Courtney Love was diagnosed with "mild autism" at age 9. She is famous for singing, writing songs, and acting.

Inspiring Models

• Heather Kuzmich has Asperger's. She became famous after winning fifth place on America's Next Top Model in 2007.
• Alexis Wineman was diagnosed with PDD-NOS. In 2013, she was voted Miss Montana. She was the first person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder to compete in the Miss America pageant.

Other Famous People

• Govy has autism. He is an award-winning visual artist whose work has been shown all over the world. He was diagnosed in 2013.
• Temple Grandin has autism. She is a professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University. She is known for making sure animals like cattle are treated well. She also works to help people understand autism rights.
• Dennis Rodman was diagnosed with Asperger's. He is a very famous basketball player. He received his diagnosis while on the TV show Celebrity Rehab.

People from History Who Might Have Had ASD

Some doctors, writers, and historians believe certain people from the past might have had an Autism Spectrum Disorder. They study what these historical figures were like and see if their behaviors match the signs of ASD.

It's important to remember that autism and Asperger syndrome were first described in the 1940s. This means none of these people could have been officially diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder when they were alive.

• Michelangelo (artist): Some experts think he had Asperger's. He was a famous artist during the Renaissance. He often struggled to keep good relationships with other people.
• Glenn Gould (pianist): This Canadian pianist was known for playing music by Johann Sebastian Bach. He loved routines and used the same seat until it was worn out. He preferred to communicate by phone or letters and did not like being touched. He would also rock back and forth while playing music.
• Charles XII of Sweden (king): He was King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. Some believe he had Asperger's because he was very stubborn, did the same things every day, and sometimes didn't seem to feel bad for others.
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (composer): Some experts suggest this famous composer might have had Asperger's. He wrote his first music at just five years old.
• Thomas Jefferson (president): He was the third President of the United States and helped write the Declaration of Independence. Some people think he had Asperger's.
• Henry Cavendish (scientist): This famous 18th century British scientist rarely saw other people. He had trouble interacting with others, couldn't look people in the eyes, and was very interested in patterns. Some believe he had autism.
• Emily Dickinson (poet): She is one of the most famous poets ever. Some think she might have had Asperger's.
• James Joyce (writer): He wrote a famous book called Ulysses. Some experts believe he had Asperger's.
• Blind Tom Wiggins (pianist): Even though he was blind, he learned to play the piano at age 4. He became one of the best-known American pianists in the 19th century. Some think he had autism and was a savant.
• Prince John of the United Kingdom (prince): This 20th century British prince was known for his epilepsy and for staying away from other people. He often did the same things repeatedly, and some believe he was autistic and intellectually disabled.
• Adolf Hitler (leader): Some experts suggest he had Asperger's. He was the leader of Nazi Germany and ordered terrible events during World War II.
• Alan Turing (scientist): He helped create computer science and broke Nazi codes during World War II. Some believe he had autism and may have been a math savant.
• Charles Richter (seismologist): He was the seismologist who created the Richter scale, which measures earthquakes. Some think he had Asperger's.
• Stanley Kubrick (filmmaker): He was a famous filmmaker. Some experts believe he had Asperger's because he was very obsessive and had trouble interacting with other people when he was making movies.