10 Celebrities You Might not Know Have Autism

According to Autismspeaks.org, Autism ”or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States today.

We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.

There are a few celebrities who have autism and many are unaware of. Here are 10- of such famous people.

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins, a Welsh actor, producer and director. Hopkins revealed that h was diagnosed with Asperger’s when “my wife was trying to figure out who she was married to.” Hopkins has since given credit to Asperger’s syndrome which made him restless in turn, making him a hard worker.

Courtney Love

The amazing singer was diagnosed as “mildly autistic” while still a young girl even though she was unusually intelligent, Love, however, struggled with school and interacting socially.

Dan Aykroyd

Comedian Dan Aykroyd is also a celebrity living with Asperger’s syndrome. In his words; “My very mild Asperger’s has helped me creatively. I sometimes hear a voice and think: ‘That could be a character I could do.’

TAKE THE QUIZ: Celebrity Quiz: Only Serious Music Lovers Will Get All 15 Answers Correct!

Alonzo Clemons

Animal sculptor Alonzo Clemons’s IQ is between 40 and 50 but is a genius when it comes to sculpting detailed 3D sculptures of animals. Nancy Mason, his assistant said of him, “No one taught him to do this. When they took away his clay, he would sculpt anything he could get his hands on.”

Daryl Hannah

Hollywood actress Daryl Hannah has been public with her diagnosis of Asperger’s. The Kill Bill actress revealed in a few interviews that her autism made her incredibly shy and fearful of large events.

Dan Harmon

Dan Harmon the creator of “Rick and Morty” and “Community” has not been formally diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, but is beyond convinced he has it. In his words; “I started looking up these symptoms, just to know what they are,” he said, “and the more I looked them up, the more familiar they started to seem.”

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin is a professor of Animal Science. Her work has helped reshape the way animals are handled. She is however best known for helping the world really understand how the autistic mind works. She has written books that have helped curb stigmatisation around autism and others better understand how autistic people see the world.

Satoshi Tajiri

Tajiri created the viral game Pokemon and was lives with Asperger’s syndrome. He is described by colleagues as “reclusive” and “eccentric”.

Tim Burton

Helena Bonham-Carter, Tim Burton’s partner, is certain that the Hollywood director has Asperger’s. In her words; “You start recognizing the signs. We were watching a documentary about autism and he said that was how he felt as a child.”

David Byrne

According to the singer, he sees himself as different. The Talking Heads front-man said; ”We all don’t have to be the same,” Byrne has said. “I used to get annoyed when folks placed value judgements on sociability — implying those who are not gregarious or social are somehow less — it’s just different.”

DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE WITH YOUR EMAIL BELOW AND GET MORE OF THIS EVERYDAY