Celebrities have become more transparent about their mental health – publicly discussing disorders like autism, borderline personality, and more.
Today, for a person to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a healthcare or mental health professional must confirm that symptoms meet the DSM-5 criteria.
The diagnosing criteria or autism has evolved since the original classification published in the 1980 DSM-III version, which classified it as a “pervasive developmental disorder.”
In the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 45 adults have autism spectrum disorder – with more men (4 in 100) than women (1 in 100) being diagnosed each year.
There is still a stigma surrounding mental health, but more celebrities are talking about it – often publicly. While they can’t escape the diagnosis, many famous people with autism are thriving in their careers and bringing hope to millions worldwide that success is possible even with mental health disorders.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
Autism is termed a “spectrum” disorder because it affects individuals differently and to varying degrees.
Common Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder
A person with ASD may exhibit some or all of the symptoms, but to varying degrees. ASD can co-occur with other conditions such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, or intellectual disabilities. Early diagnosis and intervention can greatly improve outcomes for people with ASD, helping them to develop communication skills, manage behaviors, and navigate social situations more effectively.
- Social communication challenges: Difficulty in understanding and using verbal and nonverbal cues such as gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Difficulty in initiating and maintaining conversations and understanding social norms.
- Restricted, repetitive behaviors: Engaging in repetitive movements or activities like hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning objects. Having highly specific interests and getting upset by changes in routines or surroundings.
- Sensory sensitivities: Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sensory input such as light, sound, touch, taste, or smell. Certain sensations may be overwhelming or uncomfortable for individuals with ASD.
- Difficulty with transitions: Difficulty transitioning from one activity or environment to another. Changes in routine or unexpected events can cause distress.
- Difficulty with empathy and understanding others’ perspectives: Difficulty in understanding others’ emotions and perspectives, which can lead to challenges in forming and maintaining relationships.
7 Famous People with Autism
There is no denying that autism comes with its own set of symptoms – many of which are identifiable at a glance.
Many people think that celebrities are immune from diseases and disorders, but they are human just like the rest of us. Even though some celebrities have not had a confirmed diagnosis, their autism symptoms present themselves in ways that make it undeniable that they likely have ASD.
Here are seven celebrities that may (or may not) have autism, but exhibit the symptoms:
Mark Zuckerberg
The brilliant mind behind Facebook confirmed having Asperger’s syndrome in 2013. Asperger’s, which was originally diagnosed outside of the spectrum, is a developmental disorder that shares several symptoms with ASD. Mark Zuckerberg’s keen attention to detail and ability to focus on complex problems are indicative of his Asperger’s diagnosis.
Satoshi Tajiri
Famous Japanese video game designer and Pokémon creator, Satoshi Tajiri, enjoyed collecting, sorting, and categorizing different things – which is a characteristic of autism. Rumors state that he was diagnosed as a child, but no confirmation has been made regarding it. If Tajiri is a high-functioning autistic individual, he is keeping it to himself – but he is sharing his love of collecting with the world through the Pokémon franchise.
Greta Thunberg
Environmental activist Greta Thunberg is known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action against climate change. Her passion for the environment began at the young age of 8 years old. She feels that her autism diagnosis is her superpower. When given her diagnosis, she saw it as a positive – giving her the support she needed to understand “why she is the way she is.”
Lionel Messi
Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi does not have an official diagnosis of autism, despite the allegations made by Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA. Messi was mute as a young child and stories have circulated from his hometown of a boy who was mute and given an Asperger’s syndrome diagnosis. It is possible that the rumors of the diagnosis are true based on Messi’s attention to detail and ability to focus under pressure – but to date, there has been no official diagnosis.
Dan Aykroyd
As a child, actor Dan Aykroyd (known for Coneheads and Ghostbusters) was kicked out of several schools before being diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. After being diagnosed, he has been public about it. He credits his diagnosis of Asperger’s with the character development of several of his iconic movie roles.
Tim Burton
Although not confirmed, it is suspected that famous director Tim Burton may have autism. His long-term partner (and star of many movies) Helena Bonham Carter has implied that Burton exhibits many of the characteristics associated with autism. She says that in addition to his unique perspectives, he becomes hyper-focused on what he is doing, often becoming unresponsive and does not hear what is going on around him – a trait often associated with ASD.
Elon Musk
During a 2021 episode of “Saturday Night Live,” well-known entrepreneur Elon Musk announced that he is on the autism spectrum. He made the announcement that he is the first person with Asperger’s syndrome to host the show – drawing controversy from the autism community. His autistic traits include his ability to focus and a quest for perfection.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
The first step to confirming an autism diagnosis is to speak with a healthcare or mental health professional. They will conduct a thorough evaluation that includes the criteria for autism from the DSM-5 – from there a treatment plan will be created to help with managing ASD.
There is no cure for autism, but some treatments may be effective in managing the symptoms.
Famous people with autism are an example that success is possible – despite some of the setbacks that may come with ASD. Many of the celebrities on the list see their autism as a strength, not a weakness, which should offer hope to the millions of adults living each day with different thought patterns.
