Autism has always been part of the lives that shaped science, art and activism.
Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has been vocal about her diagnosis of autism and Asperger's Syndrome. She calls those diagnoses her "superpowers". Thunberg's diagnosis helped her understand herself better. Her relentless focus on the climate and introverted nature are signs that she is indeed autistic.
Records say that Darwin had difficulty with social interactions, but was very precise and paid great attention to small details. Although he could not get diagnosed at the time, Professor Fitzgerald at Trinity College claims that Darwin probably had Asperger's Syndrome. (Asperger's Syndrome falls under the umbrella of autism.)
Elon Musk revealed that he has Asperger's Syndrome during a guest appearance on the talk show Saturday Night Live. According to the DSM-5, this means that Musk also has ASD. Musk is the first person with Asperger's to host SNL.
Einstein would find it difficult to mingle with others and make small talk. In fact, he did not speak until he turned 3. Einstein also had a strong insistence to keep everything the same and consistent. Although diagnosing Einstein is impossible now, the way he behaved throughout his life has led many psychologists and doctors to believe that he had ASD.
Famous artist Andy Warhol is believed to have been autistic. Dr. Judith Gould (director of Eliot House) makes this claim based on behaviours Warhol showed, such as an obsession with uniformity and speaking very little. However, knowing for certain whether he was autistic or not is impossible.
Dan Aykroyd has written numerous successful films, such as the first and second Ghostbusters, and was a writer on Saturday Night Live during its first four seasons. Aykroyd was diagnosed with Asperger's in the 1980s. He viewed his autism as a strength that allowed him to write his famous movies — his special interest in ghosts stemmed from having Asperger's Syndrome.
As a child, Tajiri, creator of Pokemon, had an obsession with collecting insects and arcade games, so much so that he would cut classes to focus on his passions. His parents were afraid that this would ruin his future; it did the exact opposite. Tajiri created his own game company, Game Freak, and pitched an idea to Nintendo that we all know and love today. Tajiri was also diagnosed with autism, which explains his very specific interests.
