What do Dan Aykroyd, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Susan Boyle, and Albert Einstein have in common? In addition to being high performers in their various fields, each of these were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Comedic actor Dan Aykroyd was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism now considered as part of ASD. In a 2013 interview, Aykroyd shared that one of his symptoms of ASD was his obsession with law enforcement and ghosts, which planted the seeds for the creation of Ghostbusters. Sir Anthony Hopkins has struggled with learning differences and social difficulties since childhood. He recognizes that his ASD causes him to look at people differently, which helps him understand the characters he portrays on a deeper level. Susan Boyle, rose to fame in 2009 when she took 2nd place on Britain’s Got Talent with her powerful, inspiring voice. She was diagnosed with Asperger’s as an adult. As for Albert Einstein, he was not officially diagnosed, but displayed many of the diagnostic criteria for ASD as a child and throughout his life. He remained mute until he was three years old, but immediately spoke in complete sentences once he began to talk. As an adult, he adhered to a rigid set of expectations and ritualized patterns, preferring to spend his time alone thinking (and sailing) rather than socializing.
Comedic actor Dan Aykroyd was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism now considered as part of ASD. In a 2013 interview, Aykroyd shared that one of his symptoms of ASD was his obsession with law enforcement and ghosts, which planted the seeds for the creation of Ghostbusters. Sir Anthony Hopkins has struggled with learning differences and social difficulties since childhood. He recognizes that his ASD causes him to look at people differently, which helps him understand the characters he portrays on a deeper level. Susan Boyle, rose to fame in 2009 when she took 2nd place on Britain’s Got Talent with her powerful, inspiring voice. She was diagnosed with Asperger’s as an adult. As for Albert Einstein, he was not officially diagnosed, but displayed many of the diagnostic criteria for ASD as a child and throughout his life. He remained mute until he was three years old, but immediately spoke in complete sentences once he began to talk. As an adult, he adhered to a rigid set of expectations and ritualized patterns, preferring to spend his time alone thinking (and sailing) rather than socializing.
April is Autism Awareness Month. As one might suspect, parenting and caring for loved ones on the autism spectrum, especially those with more severe impairments, can be exhausting. If you, or someone you know, needs information or resources to help manage these challenges, there is help available. Autism Speaks is a non-profit organization “dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families.” Among so many other things, they provide respite care resources to give primary caregivers a break. Click this link for more information on respite care: https://www.autismspeaks.org/respite-care-0
In my work as a therapist, I’ve been fortunate to work with countless clients on the spectrum – clients who may not (yet) be world renowned scientists, actors, or performers, but who also may be equally brilliant. Learning about and building relationships with these “level one” clients is often fascinating and enriching work! My experience is in line with what Dr. Stephen Shore has said: “If you’ve met one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism.”In my work as a therapist, I’ve been fortunate to work with countless clients on the spectrum – clients who may not (yet) be world renowned scientists, actors, or performers, but who also may be equally brilliant. Learning about and building relationships with these “level one” clients is often fascinating and enriching work! My experience is in line with what Dr. Stephen Shore has said: “If you’ve met one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism.”
Despite the “diagnostic box” that seems to accurately describe some of the challenges each client faces, their uniqueness and individuality inevitably shines through. And isn’t that true for all of us? I love that we have Autism Awareness Month, and I support it (I’m wearing my “BE YOU” Autism Speaks t-shirt at this very moment! – you can get yours here: https://shop.autismspeaks.org/autism-speaks-apparel). These programs need our support.
Despite the “diagnostic box” that seems to accurately describe some of the challenges each client faces, their uniqueness and individuality inevitably shines through. And isn’t that true for all of us? I love that we have Autism Awareness Month, and I support it (I’m wearing my “BE YOU” Autism Speaks t-shirt at this very moment! – you can get yours here: https://shop.autismspeaks.org/autism-speaks-apparel). These programs need our support.
Let’s strive to make that happen.
Leave a Reply