Famous People With or Had Asperger's Syndrome

Author: Michelle Fattig
Published: 2017/11/10 - Updated: 2025/08/27
Publication Type: Awareness, Appreciation
Category Topic: Famous Disabled People - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This information presents an extensive and thoughtfully curated list of well-known individuals who have or are believed to have had Asperger's Syndrome, highlighting both contemporary figures like Elon Musk, Greta Thunberg, and Dan Aykroyd, as well as historical personalities such as Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and Jane Austen. The article is authoritative and useful because it is written by Michelle Fattig, a school psychologist and advocate with personal experience of Asperger's, and draws on reputable sources in autism research and advocacy. It provides context on the challenges of diagnosing Asperger's, especially in women, and addresses the frequent misdiagnosis or misunderstanding of the condition by professionals, which makes the information particularly helpful for educators, parents, and individuals with disabilities seeking greater understanding or representation. By offering a mix of confirmed and speculated cases, the article not only fosters awareness of the diversity and achievements within the autism spectrum but also challenges stereotypes, illustrating that people with Asperger's have made significant contributions across science, the arts, and public life - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

The difficulty in understanding and acknowledging autism, primarily high functioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome, by the medical, psychological, and psychiatric community, can lead to misdiagnosis and even failure to provide the services needed for students (Autism Today, 2007).

Main Content

People with Asperger's Syndrome are often described, as having social skills deficits, reluctance to listen, difficulty understanding social give and take, and other core characteristics, is typically quite misunderstood and/or misdiagnosed in our country today.

First recognized by Hans Asperger in 1944, who recognized that the patterns of behaviors and characteristics were often noticed in the parents as well, most noticeably in the fathers, and he very perceptively noted, "that the condition was probably due to genetic or neurological, rather than psychological or environmental factors," (Attwood, 2006, p. 2).

Psychologists, physicians, educators, and parents remain largely uneducated and uninformed regarding high functioning autism and Asperger's Syndrome, particularly in girls and women, and the person is often misdiagnosed (Fattig, 2007). "Asperger's syndrome has probably been an important and valuable characteristic of our species throughout evolution," (Attwood, 2006, p. 2).

Autism impacts normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. The disorder makes it hard to communicate with others and relate to the social world. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present (Autism Society of Delaware, 2005); however, internal behaviors such as withdrawal, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and social isolation may be just as prevalent (Fattig, 2007). "Persons with autism may exhibit repeated body movements (hand flapping, rocking), unusual responses to people or attachments to objects and resistance to changes in routines. Individuals may also experience sensitivities in the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste," (Autism Society of Delaware, 2005).

One reason why the prevalence of Asperger's Syndrome in girls and women is so low in comparison to boys and men may be the fundamental lack of awareness of what Asperger's Syndrome "looks like" in females. Traditional frameworks may indicate that the female with Asperger's Syndrome is just shy, quiet, perfect at school so her parents must be exaggerating, tomboyish, moody, overly competitive, aloof, Gothic, depressed, anxious, or a perfectionist (Fattig, 2007). The Viennese pediatrician, Asperger, described a group of children with similar characteristics, observing that "the children's social maturity and social reasoning were delayed and some aspects of their social abilities were quite unusual at any stage of development," (Attwood, 2006, p. 2).

More specifically, the pediatrician included aspects of difficulty to include social skills, friendship skills, conversational skills, pedantic speech patterns, tendency towards ego-centrism and preoccupation in a particular area of interest, lack of emotional control, and an immaturity of empathetic skills. These children were noted to have difficulty attending in class and demonstrated learning deficits, along with organizational, motor, and sensory concern. The difficulty in understanding and acknowledging autism, primarily high functioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome, by the medical, psychological, and psychiatric community, can lead to misdiagnosis and even failure to provide the services needed for students (Autism Today, 2007). Applying these characteristics to famous or historical figures, may allow a better understanding of the significant positive impact great Asperger's ancestors have left behind towards an enlightened and improved society and world.

NOTE: A retrospective diagnosis is the practice of identifying a condition in a historical figure using modern knowledge, methods and medical classifications. The list below includes famous people for whom there is a lot of speculation that they have or had Aspergers Syndrome, but who may not have - or have had - Aspergers at all.

Famous People Who Have/Had Aspergers Syndrome

Speculated to have Asperger's Syndrome

Although the diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome is not possible without direct testing and observation of an individual, it has been suggested by some authors that many successful historical figures may have had Asperger's syndrome, including Mozart, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Marie Curie. Of course, definitive diagnosis of historical figures with Asperger's syndrome is not possible, and many of the traits exhibited by people with Asperger's syndrome can also occur because of intellectual giftedness or even attention deficit disorder (ADD).

Perhaps the most powerful observation Diane M. Kennedy (The ADHD-Autism Connection: A Step Toward More Accurate Diagnosis and Effective Treatments) offers in defense of her theory is that the unusual characteristics of some of the most influential people in history (including Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Edison) are quite likely attributable to diagnoses that appear in this spectrum. Her personal acquaintance with the manifestations of these varying illnesses is, at times, compelling.

Historical people

Contemporary People

Author of the Annie Books Series, Michelle Fattig is a school psychologist and medical technologist, who volunteers as a parent advocate, and provides professional development to parents and educators, regarding Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Improving Learning for Children with Disabilities (ILCD), Hidden Disabilities, and Response to Intervention (RTI). She is a proud veteran of the Air Force and previous school board member. Michelle has Asperger's Syndrome, Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder, and learning disabilities. She is a doctoral candidate in Education Leadership.

NOTE: If you notice any inaccuracies in this list, please reach out to us so we can correct it. Additionally, if you believe someone should be added to this list, please provide us with their name and any information to verify their disability. We value your help, and you can contact us here.

You can also view our other lists of famous and well-known people with various disabilities and conditions, including actors, politicians, and writers who contributed to society.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Recognizing the achievements of people with Asperger's Syndrome, both past and present, serves as a reminder that neurodiversity enriches society in countless ways. By bringing attention to these stories, this article encourages a broader appreciation of different perspectives and talents, and underscores the importance of accurate diagnosis and support for those on the autism spectrum. Such visibility can inspire individuals with disabilities and help break down barriers of misunderstanding, making the world more inclusive for everyone - Disabled World (DW).

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Citing and References

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Cite This Page: Michelle Fattig. (2017, November 10 - Last revised: 2025, August 27). Famous People With or Had Asperger's Syndrome. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved October 4, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/awareness/famous/asp.php

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