Ajay Rochester And Son Kai
TV presenter and author Ajay Rochester is the mother of a boy named Kai. Kai has autism and Ajay has openly shared their lives on social media, reaching out regularly to autism parents for advice.
She told TV Week magazine, “I’ve had a lot of things I’ve needed to overcome in my life. I’ve been exposed to abuse, violence and alcoholism, but nothing compares to being the parent of a kid on the spectrum.”
She also released a book about her experience, titled Like Me As I Am: Living with and Loving Aspergers.
Famous Athletes With Aspergers
Among other celebrities who have Aspergers are athletes. These famous Aspies are an inspiration to fans of their sport.
- Jessica-Jane Applegate the first British athlete from the intellectually disabled classification to win gold at the 2012 Paralympics
- Danny Chew Cyclist
- Tommy Dis Brisay Runner
A blog article on athletes with Aspergers said:
At five years of age, his parents were told he would never develop the ability to speak. A string of medications and countless struggles led to being overweight as a teenager. But his parents were committed to their sons success, and they encouraged him to develop an interest. His father, Peter, an avid runner, encouraged Tommy to take to the trails. A jog with his father was all he needed to get hooked on running.
- Nikolas DiDomenico Cyclist
- Jim Eisenreich Major League Baseball Player
Eisenreich, a famous Aspergers athlete was diagnosed in 1984, causing him to leave MLB. But:
medication, combined with a deeper understanding of his challenges, allowed him to return to the game he loved in 1986.
- Justin Hansen College Football Player
An article about athletes with Aspergers said:
Human interaction has always been difficult for him. If his dad hadnt dragged him out of the house and to the football field in grade school, Justin would be in his parents basement playing video games.
- Clay Marzo Surfer
A post about athletes with Aspergers said:
- Fernando Fernie Morlaes Jr. Track and Field Athlete
List Includes Dan Aykroyd Daryl Hannah Courtney Love
Keith Dunlap, Digital Content Team, Graham Media Group
Autism may bring challenges for those who live with it, but celebrities with autism have shown they can achieve tremendous things and fulfill their dreams.
Here are some notable celebrities who have autism.
Also Check: How To Deal With Autistic Temper Tantrums
Celebrities Who Have Autism
Autism is a medical condition that has varying degrees of severity. Some people with the disorder have gone on to lead fairly normal lives and have even reached levels of fame and celebrity status. Aspergers Syndrome also falls under the umbrella of autism. There are many famous people who have been formally diagnosed with some form of autism. Some of them have had to overcome obstacles on their way up the social ladder because of the peculiar behaviors that autism may cause. In some cases, the quirky behaviors that are exhibited by famous people can help to boost their uniqueness and popularity with fans. For some, they have worked extremely hard to keep their autism under raps.
Here are 20 celebrities who have autism.
Read Also: Can Autism Be Diagnosed In Adulthood
Celebrities With Children On The Autism Spectrum
Kate is a recognized expert in autism. She is the mom of an autistic teen and has written, spoken, taken photographs, and been interviewed extensively about autism.
Learn about our Editorial Policy.
Although almost everyone knows a family affected by autism, it can be inspiring to see how celebrity parents handle this disorder when it affects their children. A number of celebrities have children on the autism spectrum, and many are candid in interviews about their experiences. Many celebrities also use their fame and fortune to help advocate for people with the disorder.
Recommended Reading: Are There Signs Of Autism In Infants
Kris Aquino On Son Joshua
Kris Aquino in many interviews has discussed the challenges of raising her son Joshua. He was diagnosed with autism as a young boy. In a conversation with one of her followers in 2018, Kris was asked why she never was a spokesperson for Autism Awareness. The Queen of all Media said that shes not the best person for it.
Im being 100% honest. Kuya Josh has had the best intervention possible because I had the financial means, she said.
In another conversation, Kris shared that Joshua has been bullied enough. He was called names such as abnoy and mongoloid. Thus, she limits posts of Joshua on social media.
Collin Farrell And Son James
Collin Farrell’s son James has been diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome. He was born in 2003. James is Farrell’s son with previous partner, model Kim Bordenave.
He was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder at the age of two.
Angelman syndrome causes developmental delays and is characterised by problems with speech and balance, and, at times, seizures.
James requires daily assistance from his parents and carers.
“We share in the smallest victories the first words at age six or seven, being able to feed oneself at 19, and getting the seizures under control, the actor told In Style in 2012. “When James took his first steps at age four, I nearly broke in half!
“It was at the Special Olympics in Shanghai in 2007 that I decided, after consulting with James’ mother, that I wanted to talk publicly about the pride and joy I had in our son.
“He has enriched my life, but I don’t want to minimise the trials that so many families go through the fear, consternation, frustration, and pain… When you’re the parent of a child with special needs, it’s important to feel that you’re not alone.”
Recommended Reading: How To Help My High Functioning Autistic Son
Questions About Mark Zuckerberg
- Is Mark Zuckerberg autistic?
- Does Mark Zuckerberg have autism?
- Zuckerberg autism?
- Does Mark Zuckerberg have Aspergers?
- Is Zuckerberg autistic?
- Does Mark Zuckerberg have Asperger Syndrome?
- Zuckerberg Autistic?
- Does Mark Zuckerberg have Aspergers?
The Autism Support Network says:
The founder of Facebook, has a desperate deficit when it comes to human interaction. It quickly becomes clear that the character has something on the autistic spectrum, most likely Aspergers syndrome.
Man Stops Eratic Driver By Fly Kicking Him Through Window
High-profile celebrities have been slammed for supporting a disability charity critics say is trying to end autism by curing it.
Disability advocates argue that there is no such thing as a cure to autism spectrum disorder and any suggestion that there is makes autism comparable to a disease.
They also claim the charity Autism Speaks mission statement to end autism has turned it into a eugenics movement seeking to wipe people with ASD out of existence.
For more Celebrity related news and videos check out Celebrity> >
On April 30, celebrities including Jimmy Kimmel, Adam Sandler and Jack Black will appear at a livestream to raise money for the autism charity Next For Autism which the critics allege is aligned with Autism Speaks.
A petition is calling for the celebs to cut all associations with the event and, since its launch a week ago, has racked up 22,000 signatures.
The fundraiser, Color The Spectrum: A Livestream To Support the Autism Community, will feature musical performances, comedy skits, and DIY science stunts from famous people to generate donations.
The celebrity line up includes Jon Stewart, Conan OBrien, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Jack Black, Andy Samberg, Paul Rudd, Maya Rudolph, MrBeast, Zach Galifianakis, Mark Hamill, Sarah Silverman and Terry Crews.
The event was created by Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer whose son has autism.
Awareness and understanding towards autism is brilliant, the petition reads.
Don’t Miss: How Young Can You Detect Autism
Katie Price And Son Harvey
Katie Price’s son Harvey was born in 2002. He was diagnosed with , a rare genetic disorder affecting his eyesight, as well as autism and Prader-Willi syndrome which can cause learning difficulties and behavioural problems.
Harvey is now 19 and is now living in a residential facility. Katie shared her search for the perfect home for her son with whom she is very close.
“I hated him going to residential,” she told BBC. “I cried. But I saw he was happy there.”
Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders With Aspergers
Does Bill Gates have Aspergers? The Guardian reported Bill Gates:
has been described as having autistic-type traits: lack of eye contact, poor social skills, a monotonous voice, a prodigious memory and a tendency to rock backwards and forwards during business meetings.
How about the famous mind behind SpaceX? Does Elon Musk have Aspergers? This research on neurodiversity says its definitely possible. The article also discusses Steve Jobs Aspergers observations.
2021 UpdateElon Musk confirmed he has Aspergers while hosting a May 2021 episode of Saturday Night Live. Heres what Musk had to say about his Aspergers when he opened up the SNL show:
Im actually making history tonight as the first person with Aspergers to host SNL, or, at least the first to admit it, so I wont make a lot of eye contact with the cast tonight. But dont worry, Im pretty good at running human in emulation mode.
Heres the full list of famous Aspie entrepreneurs/biz leaders I found:
On September 23, 2020, Computer Weekly reported that the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange:
is on the autistic spectrum and has a history of depression that would put him at risk of suicide if he is extradited to a US prison
This information was part of court proceedings from psychiatrists who evaluated Assange before his trial. In September of 2011, Assange talked to the UK Independent about being autistic:
- Adam Bradford Activist & Entrepreneur
Recommended Reading: How Autism Affects Cognitive Development
The Asd Social Way Of Being
Additionally, the way in which a person with autism experiences social interactions and their general social way of being may also contribute to their success. Although social skills vary widely from one person with ASD to another, in general, social skills for people with ASD may include things like having few friends, getting overwhelmed by too much social interaction, and limited tendency to share ones interests, thoughts, and feelings with others.
The way a person with autism approaches social experiences can support their success in life. For instance, having only a few close friends can support the persons well-being. Their friends may have similar interests and may be truly supportive of the persons goals.
Needing alone time and space from others can help the person with ASD to have a clearer and more focused mind. Not spending so much time socializing and on small talk and being more straightforward and logical in the way the person communicates with others can help them stay focused on their goals and reaching the next step for success.
This way of living can contribute not only to the persons success but also to their overall life satisfaction.
Denise Richards And Daughter Eloise
Denise Richards has three daughters, the youngest of which is adopted daughter Eloise who has special needs.
We were introduced to Eloise when Denise was on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Eloise was diagnosed with a deletion in chromosome 8 more than three years ago and only has a handful of words.
She recently shared on Instagram that Eloise had said the word ‘dad’ for the first time on Father’s Day.
“Happy Father’s Day to my beautiful husband I can’t imagine a better father for our Eloise & step father for sami & lola. I love you so much,” Richards, 49, .
“And the greatest gift Eloise being able to say ‘dad’ for the first time a month ago,” she said.
Read Also: Is Dyspraxia Related To Autism
Strong Interests Support Success
One example of a trait of autism is called restricted interests. This is a type of restrictive behavior. Restricted interests have to do with how the person with ASD has an intense passion for a certain topic. Whereas people without autism often have a range of interests and can easily switch focus from one topic or activity to another and may not commit to excelling at one particular thing, people with autism may have a limited and narrow range of interests.
This characteristic may contribute to the success that many people with ASD experience in life. By being able to focus and maintain one core interest for years or even for most of ones life, the person with ASD can use this interest to accomplish great things.
Center Stage: Famous People With Autism
By Andréas RB Deolinda, BA, BSc
There are many famous people with autism as, although autism can create challenges with everyday life, it can also be seen as a gift which enables people to share talents with the world around them.
There are many notable figures in todays society who have received an autism diagnosis. Plus, with autism being a fairly new diagnosis, several geniuses throughout history are believed to have been on the spectrum.
This article looks at current popular figures with autism spectrum disorder , as well as delving back in time to celebrate scientific and musical wonders. Today, these individuals are examples for every child on the spectrum who feels different, to help them realize that being autistic does not limit people from achieving their dreams.
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Read Also: Can Autism Be Screened During Pregnancy
Chris Rock Aspergers Comedian
Famous comedian Chris Rock started therapy after a friend suggested he may have Aspergers Syndrome. According to Today:
The actor went through nine hours of cognitive tests and was eventually diagnosed with NVLD, which makes it difficult for him to understand nonverbal signals.
We did include Rock in our blog, Famous People with Disabilities since has was diagnosed with LVLD, a learning disorder.
Does It Really Matter That Greta Is On The Spectrum
For many of us, finding out that Greta Thunberg has a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome has not lowered our opinion of herand it shouldnt. The qualities and characteristics that Greta exudes due to being on the spectrum, along with her other disorders, that often come with the ASD territory, simply make her who she is.
Greta didnt immediately come out and tell people that she has Aspergers because she knew many ignorant people still see it as an illness, or something negative, she tweeted. Instead of viewing herself as having a disability, Greta compared her autism to something mighty and influential: I have Aspergers and that means Im sometimes a bit different from the norm, tweeted Greta. And given the right circumstancesbeing different is a superpower.
With that being said, traits of autism do not always adversely reveal themselves. In Gretas case, her diagnosis of Aspergers and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is evident by the following:
Her ability to stay hyper-focused on a topic she has a broad knowledge of subjects of interest
She is not concerned with fame or status she does not care about social or economic hierarchieseveryone is on the same playing field
Her ability to think outside of the box she brings a highly original perspective to problem-solving
Her above-average intelligence and talent
Her amazing oratory ability
She is truthful in what she says and has high integrity she does not have hidden agendas
Brittany Wilson
Read Also: Autism Vs Sensory Processing Disorder
How Is Greta Thunberg Affected By Autism
What do the famous Albert Einstein, James Joyce, Thomas Jefferson, Emily Dickinson, and Michelangelo all have in common? Although there was no such diagnosis at the time nor any definitive way to prove it, they are all thought to have been on the autism spectrum to some degree, according to modern professionals who have studied the typical ASD characteristics that distinguish them from others each of these historical figures is also all known to us for their creative genius as well as pioneering ideas and actions during their time on earth.
You Changed The World Tonight: Fans And Celebrities Praise Paddy Mcguinnesss Autism Documentary
Fans and celebrities have been thanking Paddy and Christine McGuinness for their documentary about autism.
The TV presenter and his wife released the programme, Paddy and Christine McGuinness: Our Family and Autism, last night , detailing their experience of having three neurodiverse children: eight-year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and five-year-old Felicity.
The film followed the couple over months as they tried to gain a greater understanding of autism, meeting other parents, experts and people on the autism spectrum.
Many viewers praised the documentary on Twitter, including the actor and comedian Johnny Vegas, who wrote: What a beautiful, open, informative and emotive documentary currently showing on @BBCOne discussing #autism in our children. Thank you to @PaddyMcGuinness, family and other contributors for sharing and opening up such an important topic for conversation.
Former Countdown star Carol Vorderman added: This was a most beautiful and honest and raw documentary. Congratulations @PaddyMcGuinness and Christine, and Paul Scholes for your story about your wonderful son. Our Family and Autism .. if you didnt see it , then please watch on @BBCiPlayer.
A raw and intimate look inside the lives of @PaddyMcGuinness, his wife Christine and their three children that have been diagnosed with autism.Paddy and Christine McGuinness: Our Family and Autism / Streaming from 1 December at 9pm / BBC iPlayer
BBC
See more reactions from fans and stars below.
Recommended Reading: Does Being On The Spectrum Mean Your Autistic