While Albert Einstein was never officially diagnosed with autism, many researchers believe that, were he alive today, he would fall on the spectrum. Reasons for this hypothesis include his extreme intelligence, poor performance in school, and difficulties with language early in his life.
As a child, Dan Aykroyd was diagnosed with both Asperger's syndrome and Tourettes. The actor, writer, and musician has revealed that his intense, childhood interest in ghosts and policemen were the inspiration for the film Ghostbusters.
Elon Musk made headlines in May 2021 when he hosted Saturday Night Live and publicly disclosed his autism diagnosis in his opening monologue. With his casual mention of being the first person with Asperger's syndrome to host the show, Musk shed light on a neurological condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism spectrum disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior patterns. By speaking openly about his condition, Musk helped to reduce stigma surrounding autism and raise awareness about the challenges individuals on the spectrum face.
As a child, Daryl Hannah experienced intense bouts of shyness and was subsequently diagnosed with autism. Despite her celebrity, Hannah does not enjoy being the center of attention and often avoids interviews and movie premieres.
Tim Burton's "autism" is controversial, as it is self-diagnosed—he has never been examined by a medical professional qualified to make that call. Burton claims to identify with some of the common symptoms of the condition, including extreme intelligence, poor social skills, and intense interests.
Autism as a diagnosis did not exist during Mozart's lifetime. However, it is known that he was prone to sensitivity, mood swings, and repetitive facial expressions, which has led some people to believe that he fell somewhere on the spectrum.
As a child, Courntey Love was diagnosed with a mild form of autism. Despite this, she has still gone on to achieve considerable success. However, some people believe that the condition may be responsible for her erratic behavior in the past.
Temple Grandin recieved her diagnosis at age two and has gone on to be a prominent figure in the autism community. Grandin is considered one of the most influential people in the world for her work as an activist, author, and educator.
When Stanley Kubrick was born in the 1920s, autism as we know it today did not yet exist. However, researchers believe that the world-famous director may have had the condition, due to his intense interests, literal thinking, and lack of social skills.
James Durbin was the fourth place finalist in the 10th season of American Idol. During his time on the show, Durbin was quite open about his experiences with Asperger's syndrome (a high-functioning form of autism) and Tourettes.
While Britain's Got Talent breakout star Susan Boyle was not diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome until late in life, she said she was relieved to finally have an explanation for some of the difficulties she had faced.
