53 Inspirational Famous People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that affects how people communicate and interact with the world around them. It can range from mild to severe, and it affects millions of people all over the world. Despite its challenges, many autistic people have gone on to find success in various fields, from science and art to business and entertainment.

Many creatives, scientists, and entrepreneurs have used their Autistic abilities to live the most fulfilled lives and change the world. Through their stories, we can learn more about the potential that every person has to make an impact on the world around them.

Here are some of the most influential famous Autistic people to have come out about their Autism diagnosis past and present:

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin is a very well-known academic, public speaker, and advocate in the Autism community. Grandin, a professor at Colorado State University, has written several books on Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Dr. Temple Grandin’s life was the subject of an HBO movie, “Temple Grandin,” which won seven Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Movie Made for Television and Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie for Claire Danes’ portrayal of Temple Grandin.

Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd is a very popular comedic actor. He was diagnosed with the Asperger’s Syndrome which is a high functioning type of autism. During an interview, he said one of the ASD symptoms was him being obsessed with law enforcement and ghosts. He credits Ghostbusters as one of the things that managed to push him through this entire process.

Sir Anthony Hopkins

Yes, Sir Anthony Hopkins also had to deal with Autism. It’s unclear when he was diagnosed, but we do know that he had many learning differences as a child. He also had issues with keeping friendships, while also dealing with obsessive thinking. He does credit autism with the benefit of deconstructing a character like Hannibal Lecter and seeing people differently, something that helped during his career.

Bill Gates

Most experts agree that Bill Gates has autism, although it can be hard to confirm as he didn’t make it public. What we do know is the fact that he has a very distinct rocking motion while concentration, he avoids eye contact and he uses monotoned speech patterns. All these things are showing something very different, and that’s one of the crucial aspects that show he might be dealing with Autism.

Daryl Hannah

The famous actress Daryl Hannah, star of Blade Runner, talked about her experience with Autism only a few years ago. She managed to live her life on the Autism spectrum, without letting anyone know about the issues she was facing. She is a great inspiration for all of us, and she shows that for anyone on the Autistic spectrum with or without an official diagnosis, there are ways to get past any challenges and move on.

Daryl Hannah and Quentin Tarantino at the 2005 MTV Movie Awards

Thomas Jefferson

One of the most famous American presidents, Thomas Jefferson is also one of the least understood in his behaviors. His life and times have been mythologized by his admirers and vilified by his detractors. He was a man who loved books, music, art, science, philosophy, and politics. Thomas Jefferson was sensitive to loud noises and adopted many routines typical of Adults with Autism.

Albert Einstein

There is much discussion as to whether Einstein was Autistic or not. But some such as Autism expert Simon Baron-Cohen of Cambridge University, have frequently highlighted that Einstein exhibited many traits that relate to Autism despite never having received a formal diagnosis.

Emily Dickinson

Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (May 10, 1830 – August 8, 1886) was an American poet. She is best known for her poetry and letters, which are considered to be among the most important works of 19th-century American literature. Her poems have been widely anthologized and published in many editions. She lived a reclusive lifestyle which led many Autistic experts to believe she was on the Autism Spectrum.

Satoshi Tajiri

Satoshi Tajiri was very interested in insects and animal science, and he eventually turned that obsession he had with insects into the Pokemon phenomenon we all know and love. His autistic traits made him one of the most inspiring people of a generation.

With that in mind, Satoshi Tajiri’s diagnosis is in fact an urban myth. Yet it’s easy to understand how many autistic individuals believe that only someone with a divergent mindset could come up with something like Pokemon.

Whether Tajiri possesses traits of Autism or has an official diagnosis is irrelevant, to a degree. He remains on this list as his unique ability to resonate with the Autistic community shows what can be achieved in embracing being different.

Charles Darwin

Many Autism experts including Michael Fitzgerald of Trinity College, believed Charles Darwin had a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (more specifically, an old form of Autistm Spectrum diagnosis known as Asperger’s Syndrome).

Historical diagnosis is always speculative, but evidence suggests that great minds are often Autistic

Henry Cavendish

Cavendish was a scientist most famous for the discovery of Hydrogen. Cavendish was believed to be on the Autism spectrum due to his obsessive interest in science and his lack of social skills of the time.

Hannah Gadsby

Hannah Gadsby is an Australian comedian and writer who has become increasingly popular in recent years. Gadsby has been open about her Autism diagnosis, which she believes has helped her gain a unique perspective on life. She often talks about how her autism informs her comedy and performance style. She says that being able to see the world from a different point of view gives her the ability to come up with new ideas and jokes that she wouldn’t have thought of without her autism.

Fern Brady

Like Hannah Gadsby, Scottish Comedian Fern Brady has embraced her Autism diagnosis in recent years and channelled her struggles through her deadpan comedy delivery. Fern has talked openly about her Autism and how she uses it to inform her work, she has said that Autistic people can be incredibly funny if given the chance.

Other Famous Autistic People

• Armani Williams
• Alexis Wineman
• George Orwell
• David Miedzianik
• Brian Williams
• Henry Ford
• Thomas A. McKean
• Thomas Edison
• Woody Allen
• Alfred Hitchcock
• Aoife Dooley
• Chris Morgan
• Danny Beath
• Deborah Berger
• Frankie MacDonald
• Graham Sierota
• Haley Moss
• Jack Monroe
• Jason McElwain
• Jim Sinclair
• Johnny Dean
• Jonathan Mitchell
• Julian Martin
• Kim Peek
• Laura Kate Dale
• Matthew Labyorteaux
• Mel Baggs
• Michael Brannigan
• Michelle Dawson
• Naoki Higashida
• Roseanne Barr
• Sarah Stup
• Stephanie Davis
• Stephen Shore
• Thristan Mendoza
• Todd Hodgetts
• Bobby Fisher
• Cary Stayner
• David Byrne
• Daryl Hannah
• Melanie Sykes
• Christine McGuinness
• Chris Packham
• Elon Musk

Misconceptions About Autism Spectrum Disorder

One of these is that people with ASD lack the ability to feel or show emotions. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, those with a diagnosis of high-functioning Autism often feel emotions more intensely than others and can take great joy in life’s simple pleasures where others miss out.

It’s also common for many people to believe that people on the Autistic spectrum have a lack of empathy. Such an unfair label can be an actual issue in society and hold many back unfairly. But with the right support as we see in our list, the possibilities are endless.

Another common misconception amongst neurotypical people is that people with ASD are all introverted loners who cannot engage with other people. Again, this could not be further from reality. Many individuals on the spectrum crave social interaction and enjoy developing close relationships with others.

They often see things in a very black-and-white manner, which can lead them to be very honest and direct in their communication style. They may also have an amazing ability to focus deeply on one task or interest and become experts in it. This level of focus can sometimes make it difficult for them to switch gears.

Famous people with Autism all use their special gifts to contribute positively to society in ways that others might not imagine possible.

Embracing Your Autistic Identity

There are a lot of famous autistic people out there, and these are only a few of them. Many influential people managed to achieve success because of their ability to think differently, which is a clear sign that being autistic is not a downside.

If anything, it offered the most successful people the means to reach amazing feats in their own fields. That’s a testament to their own success, high level of commitment and the idea of never giving up, despite being different!

Many autistic individuals may feel like they need to change who they are in order to fit in or be accepted, a process known as masking. Embrace your differences and change the world!

For more inspiring content on neurodiversity keep reading and see what else you can find!