50 Celebrities With Autism Who Inspire Us All

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that can affect communication, social interaction, and behavior. The severity of symptoms can vary greatly among individuals with ASD. Some may have mild symptoms and function well while others may have more severe symptoms that significantly impact their daily lives. 

Treatment options may include behavioral therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and medication to manage anxiety or irritability. Early intervention and treatment can help manage the symptoms of individuals with ASD. Below is a list of 50 celebrities who are diagnosed with autism.

1. Courtney Love 

Courtney Love	Information
Full Name	Courtney Love
Birthdate	July 9, 1964 (age 58)
Birthplace	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Other Names	Courtney Rodriguez, Courtney Menely, Courtney Love Cobain
Occupations	Singer, guitarist, songwriter, actress
Years Active	1981–present
Spouses	James Moreland, Kurt Cobain
Children	Frances Bean Cobain
Parent	Linda Carroll (mother)
Relatives	Paula Fox (grandmother)
Origin	Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock, grunge, punk rock, noise rock, power pop
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar
Labels	Sympathy for the Record Industry, Caroline, DGC, Virgin, Ghost Ramp
Formerly of	Hole, Sugar Babydoll, Pagan Babies, Faith No More
Musical Artist	Musical artist
Notable Achievements	– Rose to prominence as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the band Hole
Early Life	– Raised primarily in Portland, Oregon
Acting Career	– Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance in “The People vs. Larry Flynt”
Solo Career	– Released solo album “America’s Sweetheart”
Writing	– Co-created and co-wrote the manga series “Princess Ai”
Personal Life	– Married James Moreland and Kurt Cobain
Family Background	– Parents: Linda Carroll (psychotherapist) and Hank Harrison (Grateful Dead road manager)

Courtney Love, who was born on July 9, 1964, is an American artist with skills in singing, guitar playing, songwriting, and acting. She became famous during the 1990s as the lead singer of the alternative rock band Hole. In addition to her musical career, Love has also acted in a number of films and television shows, including Man on the Moon, Sons of Anarchy, and The People vs. Larry Flynt, which earned her Golden Globe nomination.

When she was nine, a psychologist observed that she displayed symptoms of autism, including touch sensitivity. Love has been known for her controversial public image and personal life. She has been outspoken on a variety of issues, including feminism, drug addiction, and mental health. 

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2. Susan Boyle 

Susan Boyle	Information
Full Name	Susan Boyle
Birthdate	April 1, 1961
Birthplace	Dechmont, West Lothian, Scotland
Origin	Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland
Genres	Operatic pop
Occupations	Singer
Years Active	1998–present
Labels	Sony Music, Syco, Columbia
Debut Studio Album	“I Dreamed a Dream” (2009)
Sales Achievements	– UK’s best-selling debut album of all time
Record Sales	25 million records sold (as of 2021)
Notable Performance	“I Dreamed a Dream” on Britain’s Got Talent
Autism Spectrum	Diagnosed with autism and IQ “above average”
Bullying Experience	Subject to bullying as a child
Charitable Involvement	Supported BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief
Grammy Awards Nominations	Two nominations
Latest Album	“Ten” (2019)
Career Milestones	– UK and US album chart-topper in the same year

Susan Boyle was born on 1 April 1961, in Dechmont, West Lothian, Scotland. She was a music lover, she sang in local choirs and in small venues. Boyle gained attention when she appeared on the television show “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2009. 

One of Boyle’s most stunning performances, “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical Les Misérables, went viral and made her an overnight sensation. Despite having gained so much fame, she admitted that she was on the Autism spectrum from 2012 – 2013, she faced challenges such as learning difficulties and bullying, and she pursued her dream of becoming a singer.

3. David Byrne 

David Byrne	Information
Full Name	David Byrne
Birthdate	May 14, 1952 (age 71)
Birthplace	Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Citizenship	United Kingdom, United States
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, actor, writer, music theorist, visual artist, filmmaker
Years Active	1971-present
Spouse	Adelle Lutz (married 1987, divorced 2004)
Children	1
Musical Career	Origin: Arbutus, Maryland, U.S.
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar, keyboards
Labels	Todo Mundo, Luaka Bop, Nonesuch, Thrill Jockey, Sire, Warner Bros.
Achievements	Awards: Academy Award, Grammy Award, Special Tony Award, Golden Globe Award
Collaborations	Brian Eno, St. Vincent, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Cong Su, Twyla Tharp, Robert Wilson, JoAnne Akalaitis
Film and Theatre	Notable Works: Stop Making Sense, True Stories, The Last Emperor, The Catherine Wheel, and more
Solo Albums	Notable Albums: Rei Momo, Uh-Oh, David Byrne, Feelings, Look into the Eyeball, Grown Backwards, and more

David Byrne was born on 14 May 1952, in Dumbarton, Scotland. He moved to Hamilton, Ontario in Canada, and then continued to emigrate to the U.S. for his father’s work. Byrne had a sense of music as he already knew how to play the guitar, accordion, and violin. However, he was too “off-key and too withdrawn”, he did not attend his middle school’s choir. He began his career as a member of a duo Bizadi with Marc Kehoe somewhere between 1971 and 1972. In addition to his musical career, he also acted in several films. He freely opened up that he is on the autism spectrum,

4. Johnny Dean 

Johnny Dean	Information
Full Name	Johnny Dean
Birthdate	12 December 1971
Birthplace	Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Occupation	British Musician, Singer, Songwriter, and Artist
Genres	Britpop, Synthpop, Country
Current Project	Fxxk Explosion (Solo Synthpop Project)
Former Band	Menswear (Frontman)
Notable Achievements	Scored multiple UK Top 40 singles with Menswear
Autism Advocacy	Diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder in 2009
Live Performances	Made a sold-out live appearance in 2013 with the Nuis@nce Band to raise funds for The National Autistic Society

Johnny Dean was born on 12 December 1971, in Salisbury, United Kingdom. He gained recognition for his appearance in the rock band Pulp’s music video “Do You Remember the First Time?”. He is a well-known figure from the Britpop era of the 1990s, having been a frontman and musician for bands such as Menswear and Messiah. Additionally, he was diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder in 2009 (known as ASD) and has been involved in various events aimed at raising awareness for the autistic spectrum.

5. Jessica-Jane Applegate

JessicaJane Applegate	Information
Full Name	Jessica-Jane Applegate
Nationality	British
Date of Birth	August 22, 1996
Place of Birth	Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England
Sport	Swimming
Classification	S14 (Intellectual disability)
Strokes	Freestyle, backstroke
Club	City of Norwich Swimming Club
Olympic Games Medals	– Gold: 2012 London Paralympics – 200m freestyle S14
World Championships Medals	– Gold: 2013 Montreal – 200m freestyle S14
European Championships	– Gold: 2014 Eindhoven – 200m freestyle S14
Commonwealth Games Medals	– Gold: 2022 Birmingham – 200m freestyle S14

Jessica-Jane Applegate was born on 22 August 1996, in Great Yarmouth, England. She was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at a young age and started swimming as a therapy method. Her talent and dedication to swimming were soon recognized, she then began competing at a high level. She won her first Paralympic gold medal at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London and also set a new world record in the process. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, she has also been recognized for her advocacy work for people with disabilities.

6. Todd Hodgetts

Todd Hodgetts	Information
Full Name	Todd Hodgetts
Nickname	The Hulk
Nationality	Australian
Date of Birth	March 23, 1988
Birthplace	Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Residence	Melbourne, Australia
Sport	Athletics
Specialization	Shot Put
Classification	F20
Coach	Gus Puopolo
Autism Spectrum	Yes
– 2012 London	Gold – Men’s Shot Put F20
– 2016 Rio	Bronze – Men’s Shot Put F20
– 2020 Tokyo	Competed
– 2013 Lyon	Bronze – Men’s Shot Put F20
– 2015 Doha	Gold – Men’s Shot Put F20
– 2012 Australian Athletics Championships	World Record in Shot Put F20
– 2015 Australian University Games	Gold – Men’s Shot Put
– 2016 Briggs Athletics Classic	World Record in Shot Put F20
– 2017 World Para Athletics Championships	Bronze – Men’s Shot Put F20
– 2019 World Para Athletics Championships	9th Place – Men’s Shot Put F20

Todd Hodgetts was born on 23 March 1988, in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. He is a para-athlete, who competes in the shot put. Hodgetts made his national team debut in 2005 and won the gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympics in the Men’s Shot Put F20 event. 

He has won numerous medals in major competitions, he set a world record in the shot put at the 2012 Australian Athletics Championships, won bronze at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships and gold at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships, and so on. Todd has an autism spectrum disorder and is an inspiration to overcome adversity.

7. Lisa Llorens 

Lisa Llorens	Information
Full Name	Lisa Christina Llorens
Date of Birth	January 17, 1978
Nationality	Australian
Birthplace	Canberra, Australia
Specialization	Paralympic high jumping, long jumping, and sprinting
Affinity with Cheetahs	Known as “The Cheetah” due to her connection and affinity with cheetahs
Documentary	Featured in the educational documentary “Lisa Llorens: A Cheetah on the Track”
1996 Atlanta Paralympics	Gold and Bronze medals in track and field events
2000 Sydney Paralympics	Three gold medals in 200m sprint, high jump, and long jump; Silver medal in 100m sprint
Paralympic World Record	Set and broke the Paralympic world record three times in long jump
1994 IPC Athletics World Championships	Silver medals in long jump and 200m
1998 IPC Athletics World Championships	Gold medals in 100m, high jump, and long jump
Retirement	Retired in 2004 due to the removal of events for intellectually disabled athletes from official activities by the International Paralympic Committee
Recognitions	Medal of the Order of Australia, Australian Capital Territory Female Sportstar of the Year, Young Canberra Citizen of the Year
Hall of Fame	Inducted into the ACT Sport Hall of Fame in 2015, Inducted into the International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability (INAS) Hall of Fame in 2016

Lisa Llorens was born on 17 January 1978, in Canberra, Australia. She is an Australian Paralympic athlete in high jumping, long jumping, and sprinting, specifically for athletes with autism. Llorens is known as “The Cheetah” due to her love for cheetahs and her speed on the track. 

She won several medals at the 1996 Summer Paralympics and received a Medal of the Order of Australia. At the 2000 Summer Paralympics, Llorens continued to win three gold medals and a silver medal. She held the Paralympic world record for her long jumps.

She retired from the sport in 2004 due to the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to remove events for intellectually disabled athletes from its official activities.

8. Ulysse Delsaux 

Ulysse Delsaux	Information
Full Name	Ulysse Delsaux
Nationality	French
Born	September 22, 1997
Birthplace	Troyes, France
NASCAR Career	Competes in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series
Debut Season	2014
Current Team	RDV Competition
Car Number	10
Championships	EuroNASCAR 2 champion in 2018
Notable Victories	EuroNASCAR 2 championship
Previous Series	NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (2016)
Racing Aspirations	Overcame obstacles through hard work and determination
Childhood Idols	Jeff Gordon and Jim Clark
Other Interests	Anime fan, featuring Sinon from Sword Art Online on helmet

Ulysse Delsaux was born on 22 September 1997, in Troyes, France. Before following a professional career as a racing driver, he debuted in kart racing. He drives the No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro for RDV Competition in both the EuroNASCAR PRO and EuroNASCAR 2 classes. Delsaux was diagnosed with high-functioning autism as a child, which made it difficult for him to communicate with others. He still requires monthly visits to his doctor. Despite this, he became a champion in the Euro Series and also won the EuroNASCAR 2 championship in 2018.

9. Tommy Des Brisay 

Full Name	Tommy Des Brisay
Date of Birth	December 19, 1991
Place of Birth	Ottawa, Canada
Occupation	Paralympian
Year active	Unknown

Tommy Des Brisay was born on December 19, 1991, in Ottawa, Canada. He received an Autism diagnosis at the age of 2 and began speaking at the age of 7. He confessed that Disney’s programs helped him so much with his language learning process. Despite struggling with the language, Tommy is hyperactive with climbing, exploring, and jumping on his trampoline all the time. Tommy is famous as a wonderful para athletic runner, he finished 1st place at the Canada Army Run 2016, finishing ahead of 8800 runners. Tommy shares his inspiring story with the world on YouTube and his website.

10. Hannah Gadsby 

Hannah Gadsby	Information
Full Name	Hannah Gadsby
Born	1978
Birthplace	Burnie, Tasmania, Australia
Medium	Stand-up, television, theatre
Alma Mater	Australian National University
Years Active	2006–present
Genres	Observational comedy, dark humour, deadpan wit
Subject(s)	Art history, dysfunctional family, homosexuality, homophobia, mental illness, trauma, autism, ADHD
Spouse	Jenney Shamash

Hannah Gadsby was born in 1978 in Smithton, Tasmania, Australia. She is a comedian, writer and actress. She studied art history but she chose to be a stand-up comedian in the early 2000s.  She performed at various comedy festivals and venues, earning critical acclaim such as second prize in “So You Think You’re Funny?” competition or “the 2007 Best Newcomer Award” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and so on. 

Gadsby was diagnosed with ADHD and autism in 2017, she stated that “I’ve always been plagued by a sense that I was a little out of whack”.

Comedian Hannah Gadsby has been open about her autism diagnosis and how it influences her work. Her Netflix special “Nanette” garnered critical acclaim and brought attention to her unique comedic style. Explore more about ADHD in our article covering celebrities with ADHD/ADD and how they have managed to succeed in their respective fields.

11. Robert White 

Robert White	Information
Full Name	Robert White
Birth Year	Approximately 1538
Birthplace	Holborn, London
Occupation	English Composer
Works	Notable compositions include liturgical music to Latin texts and instrumental music for viols
Recognition	Praised by Thomas Morley as one of the greatest English composers, comparable to Orlando di Lasso
Education	Bachelorship of Music from Cambridge University
Positions Held	Master of the Choristers at Ely, Organist and Master of the Choristers at Chester Cathedral
Death	Died in a plague outbreak in the Westminster area in 1574
Legacy	Works were rediscovered by Charles Burney
Compositions	Notable works include 17 Latin motets, 1 Latin Magnificat, 2 sets of Lamentations, and 8 anthems
Style	Known for bold harmonies and continuous points of imitation in his compositions

Robert White was born in Horsham, West Sussex, England. He has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome as well as dyslexia. He is a comedian, music teacher and YouTuber. 

Robert White came in the second place in Series 12 of Britain’s Got Talent and he was praised by the judges for his humor and unique style with David calling him a “funny man” and Simon admiring his edginess. He is an outspoken advocate of the LGBT community, and his “Tank Top Tour” began in 2018. In addition, he published a new song in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. He also participated in David Walliams’ “Comedy Christmas Calendar” skit in Winter 2020 alongside other comedians like Francine Lewis, Lost Voice Guy.

12. Bethany Black 

Bethany Black	Information
Full Name	Bethany Black
Birthdate	24 December 1978 (age 44)
Birthplace	Chorley, Lancashire, England
Medium	Stand up
Nationality	British
Genres	Black comedy
Notable Works and Roles	Beth Becomes Her
TV and Film Appearances	– First trans person to play a trans character in a British TV series
Education	Degree in film, television, and cultural studies from Manchester Metropolitan University
Mental Health	Diagnosed with autism, ADHD, OCD, and agoraphobia
Stand-Up Career	Started at the age of 25, known for dark-tinged comedy and observational humor
Recognition	Reached the final of various comedy competitions and received positive reviews
Other Achievements	Co-founded Funny’s Funny, a comedy organization for female comedians
Personal Struggles	Battled depression, had a nervous breakdown, and attempted suicide
Personal Transformation	Underwent sex reassignment surgery, openly discusses her transition in her comedy
Awards	Best Dramatic Role for “Banana” at the Transgender Television Awards 2016

Bethany Black was born on December 24, 1978, in Chorley, Lancashire, England. She is a comedian who is widely known as “Britain’s only goth, lesbian, transsexual comedian,” and her performances are often centered around black comedy. Black dealt with depression throughout her childhood. She began her career at “Club Fuzzy,” a music club located in Preston. Her career breakthrough came in 2005 when for her performance at the Manchester Pride festival. In 2018, Black was diagnosed with autism, ADHD, OCD, and agoraphobia. She referenced these diagnoses during her show “Unwinnable” at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe that same year.

13. Mel Baggs 

Mel Baggs	Information
Full Name	Mel Baggs
Birthdate	August 15, 1980
Birthplace	Mountain View, California, U.S.
Died	April 11, 2020
Place of Death	Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
Other Names	Amelia Evelyn Voicy Baggs, Amelia E. Voicy Baggs
Alma Mater	De Anza College, Simon’s Rock
Known For	Autism advocacy
YouTube Channel	silentmiaow
Years Active	2006–2020
Genre(s)	Autism advocacy, vlogs
Autism Advocacy	Prominent figure in the early stages of the autism rights movement
Communication Style	Used a communication device and referred to themselves as low-functioning
Educational Journey	Attended Harker School, De Anza College, and Bard College at Simon’s Rock
Public Speaking	Spoke at conferences about disabilities and collaborated with MIT scientists
Influential Video	“In My Language” – Described the experience of living with autism
Gender Identity	Identified as genderless and nonbinary, used neopronouns
Medical Conditions	Claimed various diagnoses including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and gastroparesis
Legacy	Passed away on April 11, 2020, leaving a significant impact on autism advocacy

Amelia Evelyn Voicy Baggs was born in 1980 and died in 2020 (39 years old for respiratory failure). Although He was suffering from many diseases (bipolar disorder, munchausen syndrome, dissociative disorder, psychotic disorder, schizophrenia , gastroparesis and of course autism), he chose to be a helpful person to his community. He could only speak thanks to a communication device.

He was also known as Mel Baggs who was an American non-binary blogger.  Baggs created a website with the name of “Getting the Truth Out” to respond to a campaign by the Autism Society of America (ASA). The ASA campaign made autistic people objects of pity and worked with Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists that were researching autism.

His video “In My Language” was posted in 2007 to describe the experience of living as a person with autism and it became the subject of several articles on CNN. 

People know his works: “Toward a voice for everyone”, “Why we should listen to ‘unusual’ voices” and “In My Language” (YouTube, 2007).

14. Jason McElwain 

Jason McElwain	Information
Full Name	Jason McElwain
Nickname	J-Mac
Birthdate	October 20, 1988
Birthplace	Rochester, New York, U.S.
Education	Greece Athena High School
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Parent(s)	David and Debbie McElwain
Diagnosis	High-functioning autism
Notable Achievement	ESPY Award for the Best Moment in Sports
Notable Moment	Scored 20 points in a high-school basketball game
Professional Debut	Rochester Razorsharks
Book	“The Game of My Life”
Movie	Biopic in development
Current Occupation	Full-time job at Wegmans Food Markets
Volunteer Work	Autism research and public speaking

Jason McElwain was born on October 20, 1988, in Rochester, New York, U.S. He is an amateur athlete in both basketball and marathon and a public speaker with high-functioning autism. McElwain was prominent as playing in a high-school basketball game and scored twenty points in the final few minutes of the game. He won the ESPY Award for Best Moment in Sports in 2006 and he made his professional basketball debut with the Rochester Razorsharks later on.

McElwain was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of two and was involved in various fundraising activities to support autism research and increase awareness about the condition.

15. Tony DeBlois

Tony DeBlois	Information
Full Name	Tony DeBlois
Birth Name	Anthony Thomas DeBlois
Date of Birth	January 22, 1974 (age 49)
Nationality	American
Blindness	Became blind shortly after birth due to excessive oxygen supply
Education	Studied at Texas School for the Blind in Austin, Texas, and Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, Massachusetts
Scholarship	Awarded a summer scholarship at Berklee College of Music
Graduation	Graduated magna cum laude from Berklee College of Music
Musical Speciality	Jazz musician proficient in various other genres
Instruments Played	Can play 20 musical instruments
Repertoire	Capable of playing approximately 8,000 pieces from memory
Band	Leads his own band, Goodnuf
Film Appearance	Featured in the TV movie “Journey of the Heart” (1997), playing the piano

Tony DeBlois (born January 22, 1974) is an American musician and savant who was born prematurely and became blind due to high levels of oxygen intake as an infant. He started playing piano at the age of two and later attended schools for the blind in Texas and Massachusetts before receiving a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in 1989. He graduated magna cum laude in 1996.

DeBlois is a jazz specialist but can play a wide range of music genres and is proficient in playing 20 different musical instruments. He has performed concerts worldwide and has his band called Goodnuf. He has memorized about 8,000 musical pieces. A TV movie titled Journey of the Heart was made about his life in 1997, with DeBlois himself playing the piano at the end of the movie.

16. Jodi DiPiazza

Jodi DiPiazza	Information
Full Name	Jodi DiPiazza
Birthdate	October 3, 2001
Alma Mater	Rollins College
Nationality	American
Occupation	Musician, Composer, Vocalist, Autism Advocate
Autism Spectrum	Yes
Absolute Pitch	Yes
Instruments	Piano, Guitar, Clarinet, Drums
Genres	Multi-genre performer
Notable Performances	– “Firework” duet with Katy Perry at Comedy Central’s Night of Too Many Stars
Autism Advocacy	– Speaker at the National Autism Conference

Jodi DiPiazza was born on October 3, 2001, in New Jersey, U.S. She is a musician, composer, vocalist, and autism advocate who was diagnosed with autism before her second birthday. Currently, she is studying music at Rollins College in Florida and can play various instruments such as the piano, guitar, clarinet, and drums.

DiPiazza has performed in various events such as the Night of Too Many Stars fundraiser, where she sang a duet with Katy Perry and “Weird Al” Yankovic. She has also appeared on TV shows like Good Morning America, El Tiempo, and Fox News Street Talk where she showcased her talents. In addition to her musical career, DiPiazza is also an autism advocate who has raised awareness and funds for Autism Speaks.

17. Dan Aykroyd 

Dan Aykroyd	Information
Full Name	Dan Aykroyd
Birthdate	July 1, 1952
Birthplace	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Occupations	Actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, musician
Notable Projects	Ghostbusters, The Blues Brothers, Trading Places
Awards	Primetime Emmy Award winner
Other Ventures	Co-founder of House of Blues, Crystal Head Vodka
Musical Career	Member of the Blues Brothers band
SNL Contributions	Original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” cast member
Spouse	Donna Dixon
Children	3, including Vera Sola
Relatives	Peter Aykroyd (brother)

Dan Aykroyd was born on July 1, 1952 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He is known for his work on Saturday Night Live and in many films such as Ghostbusters and The Blues Brothers. 

Aykroyd started his career in the entertainment field as a member of the Second City comedy troupe. Aykroyd has won several awards for his performances including an Emmy and a Grammy. He is also a successful businessman and a co-founder of the House of Blues chain of music venues. He also took part in  the recording of “We Are the World” in 1985.

Dan had been diagnosed in childhood with Tourette syndrome (a comorbid disorder with autism spectrum disorders) but was successfully treated with therapy.

Did you know that Dan Aykroyd has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum? Check out our article on 50 Celebrities with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder OCD, which features notable figures with various forms of OCD, including Aykroyd’s diagnosis.

18. Rachel Barcellona

Full Name	Rachel Barcellona
Date of Birth	January 31, 1997
Place of Birth	Florida, United States
Occupation	Beauty pageant contestant and activist

Rachel Barcellona was born on January 31, 1997, in Florida, United States. She is a beauty pageant contestant, who has been competing in pageants since the age of five, and also an autism advocate. Barcellona is currently Miss Manatee River and also won several titles such as Miss Florida International in 2016 and Miss Southeast International in 2017. Barcellona was diagnosed with autism spectrum at the age of 3, which made it difficult to make friends.

19. Roseanne Barr 

Roseanne Barr	Information
Full Name	Roseanne Cherrie Barr
Birthdate	November 3, 1952 (age 70)
Birthplace	Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Actress, comedian, writer, producer
Years active	1970–present
Political Party	Peace and Freedom, Green
Spouses	Bill Pentland, Tom Arnold, Ben Thomas
Partner	Johnny Argent
Children	5
Achievements	Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner for Best Actress for Roseanne
Controversies	Notable controversy surrounding the national anthem performance
Political Activism	Ran for president, vocal support for Donald Trump
Television Career	Starred in the sitcom Roseanne and revived the show in 2018
Autobiography	Author of “Roseanne—My Life As a Woman”
Stand-up Comedy	Started career in stand-up comedy and embarked on a world tour in 2005
Additional Projects	Hosted The Roseanne Show and appeared in various TV shows and films

Roseanne Barr was born on November 3, 1952, in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. She works as an actress, comedian, writer and producer. She performed stand-up comedy at The Comedy Store, appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, and so on. Roseanne gained breakthrough for her work on a television series namesake, which earned her an Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Kids’ Choice Award, and three American Comedy Awards for her part in the show. She is also a politician, with controversial political views and support of Donald Trump. Moreover, only a few people know that Barr has been diagnosed with autism.

Comedian Roseanne Barr was diagnosed with autism at the age of 47, which she believes explains her tendency to be blunt and outspoken. Barr has been an advocate for autism awareness and acceptance since her diagnosis, even incorporating it into the storyline of her hit television show, “Roseanne.” Check out more celebrities with autism here: 50 Celebrities With Autism.

20. Jennifer Cook O’Toole

Jennifer Cook O Toole	Information
Full Name	Jennifer Cook O’Toole
Date of Birth	October 24, 1975
Occupation	Author, Speaker
Notable Works	Asperkids book series, Autism in Heels
Language	English
Nationality	American
Diagnosis	Asperger syndrome
Awards	Winner of Autism Society of America’s Book of the Year Award
Bestselling Memoir	Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum
On-camera Expert	Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum US”
Professional Role	Senior Directorial Consultant for Jefferson Health Center for Autism and Neurodiversity
Selected Speaker	United States’ National Institutes of Health Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
White House Advisor	President’s Council on Disabilities and President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition
Sesame Street Contributor	Advisor to Sesame Workshop for the development of Julia, the first autistic character
Education	Brown University (American Civilization with high honors, 1997), Columbia University (Graduate School of Social Work)
Media Commentator	National Public Radio’s WHYY, WFAE, Fox’s WTXF-TV, and NBC’s Charlotte Today
Family	Three children, remarried in 2019
Residence	Near Charlotte, North Carolina

Jennifer Cook was born on October 24, 1975, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. In 2011, She was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome together with all three of her children. The disorder gave her insight into her lifelong struggles with social interactions and sensory issues. Jennifer has written several books on Asperger’s and autism, including “The Asperkid’s (Secret) Book of Social Rules” and “Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum”. She is also a public speaker and has given many talks on autism and neurodiversity. Through her work, Jennifer aims to promote acceptance and understanding of autism and to help individuals on the spectrum navigate the challenges of daily life.

21. Stephanie Davis 

Stephanie Davis	Information
Full Name	Stephanie Ann Davis
Birthdate	March 8, 1993
Birthplace	Prescot, Merseyside, England
Occupation	Actress
Years Active	2005–present
Television	Hollyoaks, Celebrity Big Brother, Coronation Street
Children	1
Early Career	Started acting in British television series at a young age
Talent Show	Competed in BBC’s Over the Rainbow
Soap Opera	Portrayed Sinead O’Connor in Hollyoaks
Celebrity Big Brother	Runner-up in the seventeenth series
Coronation Street	Joined the cast as Courtney Vance
Education	Attended De La Salle School in St Helens
Personal Life	Had a tumultuous relationship with Jeremy McConnell
Mental Health and Autism	Openly discussed mental health issues and diagnosed with high-functioning autism
Advocacy	Started vlogging to raise awareness about mental health

Stephanie Davis was born on March 8th, 1993 in England. She started her acting career at the age of 7, she portrayed the character of Gretl von Trapp in The Sound of Music. She also played the role of Little Nell in ‘Her Benny’ when she was 8. Later on, Daivs appeared on various television shows such as Holby City, Doctors, Parents of the Band, and participated in the BBC talent competition, Over the Rainbow. Davis has spoken out about her struggles with mental health and depression in 2019, she was diagnosed with high-functioning autism.

22. Rex Lewis-Clack 

Rex Lewis Clack	Information
Full Name	Rex Lewis-Clack
Birthdate	June 24, 1995 (age 28)
Nationality	American
Known for	Exceptional musical talent
Birth Defects	Cerebral Arachnoid cyst, Septo-optic dysplasia (a form of blindness)
Education	Started education at The Blind Children’s Center at 6 months old
Musical Skills	Prodigous musical savant
Savant Syndrome	Demonstrates “islands of genius” skills
Public Recognition	Featured on CBS’s 60 Minutes and in various documentaries
Inspirational Speaker	Travels worldwide for motivational/inspirational performances
Awards	Winspiration Award and Edward R. Murrow Award
Biography Publication	“Rex—A Mother, Her Autistic Child, and the Music that Transformed their Lives” by Cathleen Lewis
Languages	Biography translated into multiple foreign languages

Rex Lewis-Clack was born on June 24, 1995, in Southern California, United States. He was born with a cerebral Arachnoid cyst and Septo-optic dysplasia, a form of blindness. Despite his disabilities, Lewis-Clack displayed exceptional musical talent and was referred to as a “prodigious musical savant.” He also exhibited autistic symptoms. At the age of 7, CBS’s 60 Minutes featured him in a profile titled “Musically Speaking.” He was also featured in the documentary “The Musical Genius” alongside British musical savant Derek Paravicini, who was 16 years older than Rex. In 2006, he received the “Winspiration Award” in Baden-Baden, Germany.

23. Max Park

Max Park	Information
Full Name	Max Park
Birthdate	November 28, 2001
Birthplace	Cerritos, California, United States
Known for	Rubik’s Cube speedsolving
– 3×3×3 Single Solve	3.13 seconds
– 3×3×3 Average of Five Solves	4.86 seconds
– 4×4×4 Single Solve	16.79 seconds
– 4×4×4 Average of Five Solves	19.88 seconds
– 5×5×5 Single Solve	33.02 seconds
– 5×5×5 Average of Five Solves	38.42 seconds
– 6×6×6 Single Solve	59.74 seconds
– 6×6×6 Average of Three Solves	1 minute, 9.23 seconds
– 7×7×7 Single Solve	1 minute, 35.68 seconds
– 7×7×7 Average of Three Solves	1 minute, 46.57 seconds
– 3×3×3 One-Handed Average of Five	9.02 seconds (previous record)
– 3×3×3 One-Handed Single Solve	6.20 seconds
World Cube Association Wins	401 total events
Autism Diagnosis	Diagnosed with autism at the age of two
Early Challenges	Overcame severe motor skill impairments, found interest in solving Rubik’s Cube
Speedcubing Journey	Achieved success in speedcubing, won first place in the 6×6×6 event, improved social development
Notable Achievements at Championships	– World Championship 2017 in Paris: 1st in 3×3×3 and 3×3×3 One-Handed, 3rd in 5×5×5 and 6×6×6
US National Championship Titles	– 3×3×3: 2-time champion
Appearance in Documentary	Featured in the Netflix documentary “The Speed Cubers”

Max Park was born on 28 November 2001, in Cerritos, California, United States. Due to his autism, he had significant motor skill difficulties. As a result, his mother taught him how to solve a Rubik’s cube, which he had become interested in. Park has attended several major and minor competition and hold numerous records for different types of Rubik, for instance, the world record for an average of five 3×3×3 solves with a 4.86 second, won 4×4×4, 5×5×5, 6×6×6, 7×7×7, and 3×3×3 one-handed at World Championship in 2019 and so on.

24. Samuel Von Einem 

Samuel Von Einem	Information
Full Name	Samuel “Sam” Von Einem
Nationality	Australian
Date of Birth	June 21, 1995
Birthplace	Glengowrie, SA, Australia
Sport	Table Tennis
Paralympic Games	Silver Medalist, Men’s Class 11 (2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo)
Career Highlights	– Represented Australia in table tennis since 2011
Education	Cert IV in Bookkeeping at TAFE SA – Adelaide City
Classification	Class 11 table tennis player (intellectual disability division)
Training Club	Woodville District Table Tennis Club
Coach	David Lowe
Awards	Table Tennis Australia Para Athlete of the Year Award (2014, 2016)

Samuel Von Einem was born on 21 June 1995, in Glengowrie, SA, Australia. Einem was diagnosed with autism, and initially played tennis at 5 years old, but he soon changed to table tennis due to the hot climate in his hometown –  Abu Dhabi. He is well known as a Paralympic table tennis player who represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and earned silver medals in the Men’s Class 11 at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, and also earned the Table Tennis Australia Para Athlete of the Year Award in 2014 and 2016. 

25. Thristan Mendoza 

Thristan Mendoza	Information
Full Name	Thristan Mendoza
Birthdate	1989
Birthplace	Quezon City, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Occupation	Instrumentalist
Instrument	Marimba
Diagnosis	Autistic Savant
Education	College Student (Majoring in Percussion)
Siblings	Rainier, Victoria Angela, Victorina Francesca

Thristan Mendoza (born 1989) also called “Tum-Tum”, is a Philippinan instrumentalist. Born and raised in Quezon City, he was diagnosed as autistic at the age of two and a half, and since then, Mendoza began to practice piano and the guitar. In 1997 the University of the Philippines presented him as a gifted child prodigy. He is now a college student majoring in percussion. Mendoza performed at many concerts both in his homeland and worldwide.

26. Matt Savage 

Matt Savage	Information
Full Name	Matt Savage
Birthdate	May 12, 1992
Birthplace	Sudbury, Massachusetts, U.S.
Parents	Diane Savage (Mother), Lawrence “Larry” Savage (Father)
Diagnosis	Diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder (autism) at age three
Early Achievements	– Walked early and learned to read by the age of 18 months
Education	New England Conservatory of Music, Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music
Talents	– Hyperlexia, perfect pitch, extremely high intelligence
Musical Focus	Jazz, classical
Career Highlights	– Released twelve albums as a musician and composer
Documentary	Featured in documentaries about savants
Academic Degrees	– Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) in Performance (Piano) from Berklee College of Music
Current Endeavors	Balancing professional music career with teaching

Matt Savage was born on May 12, 1992 in Massachusetts, U.S. He is an American autistic savant musician. Despite being diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder as a child, Savage displayed advanced abilities such as walking and reading at an early age. 

However, his musical talent did not develop during his childhood. With his intelligence and talent, Savage could learn how to read piano music by himself when he was six years old. 

Now, he is known as a skilled musician and composer who has released twelve solo albums. At the age of 14, he had already performed with renowned singers like Chaka Khan.

27. Graham Sierota 

Graham Sierota	Information
Full Name	Graham Jeffery David Sierota
Date of Birth	February 5, 1999
Nationality	[Nationality]
Occupation	Drummer, Musician
Band	Echosmith
Role	Drummer
Genre	Pop, Indie Pop
Instruments	Drums, Percussion
Labels	Warner Bros. Records
Favorite Food	Krispy Kreme, Hot Chocolate
Musical Influences	Taylor Swift, Kings of Leon, Switchfoot, Coldplay, The Killers, U2, Local Natives
Fashion Style	Often seen wearing a black wide brim fedora
Favorite Movies/TV Shows	Star Wars, The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad
Favorite Burger	Umami Burger

Graham Sierota was born on May 12, 1992, in Sudbury, Massachusetts. He was diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disability as a child but he exhibited advanced skills in walking and reading at a young age. Though he did not initially exhibit musical talent, he taught himself to read piano music when he was six years old. Despite this, Savage’s intelligence enabled him to become a skilled musician and composer, and he has released twelve solo albums. By the age of 14, he had already performed with renowned singers like Chaka Khan.

28. Mark Tinley 

Mark Tinley	Information

Mark Tinley was born on 18 March 1963. He is wel known as a musician, sound designer, and audio engineer from the United Kingdom. He has an extensive background in the music industry, having worked with many popular artists and bands, including Duran Duran, Yes, and Dead or Alive. Tinley formed the music band  Peeping Toms in 1982 and also formed Britain’s first acid house band The Garden Of Eden. In 2016, Tinley announced his retirement from his career due to being diagnosed with autism.

29. Corinne Duyvis

Corinne Duyvis	Information
Full Name	Corinne Duyvis
Nationality	Dutch
Occupation	Author
Genre	Young Adult, Science Fiction
Notable Works	“Otherbound,” “On the Edge of Gone”
Awards	Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy
Titles	Writer
First Work	Guardians of the Galaxy: Collect Them All

Corinne Duyvis was born on April 28, 1989, in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands. She is an autistic person who dropped out of high school and followed the Amsterdam art school Wackers Academie. Duyvis decided to concentrate on writing science fiction and fantasy novels aimed at middle-grade to young adult readers. She is co-founder and editor for Disability in Kidlit, a website that examines how disability is depicted in children’s literature, the content includes critical and insightful articles, book reviews, and discussions written exclusively by people who identify as disabled.

30. Matt Bruenig 

Matt Bruenig	Information
Full Name	Matthew Bruenig
Birthdate	November 22, 1988
Occupation	Lawyer, Blogger, Policy Analyst, Commentator
Founder	People’s Policy Project (think tank)
Publications	The New York Times, Current Affairs, Jacobin, The Atlantic, Dissent, The Washington Post
Podcast	Co-hosts a podcast generating substantial monthly revenue
Marital Status	Married to Elizabeth Bruenig, Staff Writer for The Atlantic
Children	2
Autism Diagnosis	Diagnosed as autistic in adulthood
Advocacy	Advocate of single-payer healthcare

Matt Bruenig was born on November 22, 1988. He is an American lawyer, blogger, policy analyst, commentator and a founder of the left-leaning think tank People’s Policy Project. He has written issues such as: income distribution, taxation, welfare, elections and the Nordic model. And his writing has appeared in The New York Times, Current Affairs, Jacobin, The Atlantic, Dissent,  The Washington Post and so on.

For his personal life, he married Elizabeth Bruenig and they have two children. Apart from that, he is also diagnosed as autistic in adulthood. 

31. Aoife Dooley

Aoife Dooley	Information
Full Name	Aoife Dooley
Birthdate	14 April 1991
Nationality	Irish
Occupation(s)	Writer, Illustrator, Comedian, and Graphic Designer
Autistic Diagnosis	Diagnosed in 2018, credited with allowing her to express herself authentically and incorporate awareness and acceptance into her work
Notable Works	“How to be Massive” (2016)
Notable Performances	Electric Picnic, Vodafone Comedy Festival, PJ Gallagher’s tour
Awards	U Magazine’s 30 under 30 Best Comedian Award (2017)
Public Speaking	Guest speaker at OFFSET (2016, 2018)
Creative Works	Prints, jewelry, and badges available for sale online
Controversy	Subjected to online abuse and threats after her work was used in the Irish Junior Cert English exam (2019)

Aoife Dooley was born on 14 April 1991, in Coolock, Dublin, Ireland. In 2018, she was diagnosed with autism, which she believes has helped her feel more comfortable with herself and integrate that acceptance into her work. She studied graphic design at Colaiste Dhulaigh and attended the Dublin Institute of Technology. Her illustrations have been adapted into an animated television series for RTÉ, which stars Al Foran, Emmet Kirwan, Jen Hatton, and Enya Martin.

Dooley has performed live at events such as Electric Picnic and the Vodafone Comedy Festival, and she has won awards such as U Magazine’s 30 under 30 for best comedian and The Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year for her first children’s book.

32. Jack Monroe 

Jack Monroe	Information
Full Name	Jack Monroe
Birthdate	17 March 1988
Birthplace	Southend-on-Sea, England
Education	Westcliff High School for Girls
Occupation(s)	Writer, journalist, campaigner
Known for	Blogger, cookbook author
Style	Budget
Children	1
Achievements	Published seven cookbooks focusing on “austerity recipes” and budget-friendly meals. Campaigning on poverty issues and hunger relief.
Autism Diagnosis	Diagnosed with autism and ADHD as a child
LGBTQ+	Came out as gay at the age of 15
Philanthropy	Supported Child Poverty Action Group, raised funds for Live Below the Line campaign
Political Affiliation	Former member of the Labour Party and the Green Party of England and Wales
Media Appearances	Featured in Sainsbury’s advertising campaign, appeared on BBC television’s This Week, co-hosted Daily Kitchen Live on BBC One during COVID-19 pandemic
Activism	Advocate for updating inflation measures to reflect actual cost of living, campaigned for raising social security benefits in line with inflation
Controversies	Criticized former Prime Minister David Cameron, faced criticism regarding personal spending habits

Jack Monroe was born on March 17, 1988, in Southend-on-Sea, England, and is a well-known British food writer, journalist, and activist.  Monroe’s blog, A Girl Called Jack became famous for offering budget-friendly cooking tips and recipes. Moreover, she has written several cookbooks and columns for newspapers. She is also an advocate of causes such as poverty, food insecurity, and LGBTQ+ rights. In 2007, Monroe was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honors. She was identified with autism and ADHD as a youngster.

33. Donna Williams 

Donna Williams	Information
Full Name	Donna Williams
Job	Stunt Performer
Notable Work	Game of Thrones
Notable Episodes	“The Mountain and the Viper” (Season 4) “The Bells” (Season 8)
IMDb	Donna Williams on IMDb

Donna Williams, was born on October 12, 1963, in Melbourne, Australia. Although she was diagnosed with autism as an adult, she became well-known for her autobiographical book “Nobody Nowhere,” which chronicled her experiences growing up with the condition. Williams went on to write several more books and became an advocate for individuals with autism. Additionally, she was a professional artist whose work was showcased in galleries globally. Williams died on April 22, 2017, from cancer that had metastasized to her liver after originating in her breast.

34. Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin	Information
Full Name	Temple Grandin
Birthdate	August 29, 1947 (age 75)
Birthplace	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Alma Mater	Franklin Pierce University (BA)
Known For	Promoting humane treatment of livestock for slaughter
Scientific Career	Faculty member, Animal Sciences, Colorado State University
Fields	Animal science
Institutions	Colorado State University
Author Abbrev.	Grandin
Achievements	Named in Time 100 “Heroes” category
Contributions	Author of over 60 scientific papers on animal behavior

Temple Grandin was born on August 29, 1947, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. She is a well-known advocate for the ethical treatment of animals intended for consumption and has written over 60 scientific articles on the subject of animal behavior. Grandin is autistic and she had many speeches and released many books based on her experience with autism, including  The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum, The Learning Style of People with Autism: An Autobiography, and so on. 

For her contribution to the autistic community, Grandin was named in the Time 100 list of the one hundred most influential people in the world, in the “Heroes” category, received a Double Helix Medal, and was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame.

35. Rosie King

Rosie King	Information
Full Name	Rosie King
Born	c. 1998
Nationality	British
Occupation(s)	Writer, Public Speaker, Autism Advocate
Featured in BBC Documentary	Yes
Contributor to Pablo TV Series	Yes
Autism Diagnosis	Self-diagnosed at age 10; Official diagnosis of Asperger syndrome
Awards	Yorkshire Children of Courage Award, International Emmy Kids Award for Best Factual, UK Royal Television Society Craft & Design Award
TEDMED Conference	Speaker, discussing her autism diagnosis and seeing it as an asset
Notable Contribution	Illustrated pixies, fairies, and goblins for her mother’s fairy tale
Key Message	Viewing autism as an asset rather than a limitation
Involvement in Pablo TV Show	Cast member, contributor to writing, and voiced the character Llama showcasing autism traits

Rosie King, born around 1998, is a British individual who works as a writer, public speaker, and advocate for autism. She appeared in a documentary about autism on the BBC and is known for her significant contributions to the Pablo TV series. At 10 years old, King diagnosed herself with autism after reading the book “Little Rainman: Autism – Through the Eyes of a Child,” which led to her official diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome later on.

At the 2014 TEDMED Conference, King spoke about her autism diagnosis, viewing it as an asset rather than a limitation, and critiqued society’s glorification of normalcy. King also contributed to the writing and voicing of the character Llama in the CBeebies animated TV show “Pablo,” which centers around an autistic boy and debuted in 2017.

36. Jonathan Mitchell 

Jonathan Mitchell	Information
Full Name	Jonathan Mitchell
Date of Birth	September 7, 1955
Age	67
Nationality	American
Occupation	Author, Autistic Blogger
Education	Psychology (BS)
Alma Mater	UCLA
Notable Works	The Mu Rhythm Bluff (novel)
Volunteer Activities	Scientific research for autism, experimental subject for research studies
Residence	Los Angeles, California
Support System	Supported by parents
Controversial Stance	Advocating for a cure, discussing long-term effects of autism
Literary Achievements	Author of The Mu Rhythm Bluff novel
Literary Style	Praised for scientific knowledge
MRI Study	Served as a subject for research studies
Correspondence	Exchanged emails with renowned neurologists
Online Presence	Wikimedia Commons

Jonathan Mitchell was born in Los Angeles, California on September 7, 1955. He was diagnosed with autism when he was 12 and received psychoanalytic therapy to treat it. Mitchell faced a number of obstacles during his education, including bullying and the possibility of being expelled. Later on, he struggled to keep data entry jobs due to behavioral issues, leading to several dismissals. Nonetheless, Mitchell persisted in his pursuit of writing and began his career as a writer at the age of 51. His literary works include the novel The Mu Rhythm Bluff, a collection of short stories called The School of Hard Knocks, which focuses on abusive education, and various other short stories.

37. John Howard 

John Howard	Information
Full Name	John Richard Cox Jr.
Born	April 14, 1913
Place of Birth	Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Died	February 19, 1995
Place of Death	Santa Rosa, California, U.S.
Age	81 years old
Nationality	American
Education	Case Western Reserve University
Occupation	Actor
Years Active	1934–1978
Notable Films	Lost Horizon, The Philadelphia Story
Notable Roles	Bulldog Drummond in Paramount films
Hollywood Walk of Fame	Received a star
Military Service	United States Navy during World War II
Awards	Navy Cross, French Croix de Guerre
Broadway Debut	Hazel Flagg (1953)
Famous TV Series	Dr. Hudson’s Secret Journal, Adventures of the Sea Hawk
Friendship with	Fred MacMurray

John Howard, who was born on March 1, 1983, in Boston, Massachusetts, is a well-known professional mixed martial artist. Currently, he competes in the Middleweight division of the Eagle Fighting Championship and has been participating in the sport since 2004. He has fought in various organizations, including the International Fight League, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, CES MMA, and Professional Fighters League. Recently, at the age of 33, Howard underwent non-invasive neurological tests that revealed he has autism spectrum disorder.

38. Michael Brannigan 

Michael Brannigan	Information
Full Name	Michael Brannigan
Birthdate	November 12, 1996
Birthplace	Huntington, New York, United States
Sport	Running
Event(s)	1000m, 1500m, Mile
Medal Record	Gold medal in the men’s 1500-meters race at 2016 Paralympics
Disability	Diagnosed with Autism at age 2
Overcame Challenges	Competed at Paralympics due to not meeting NCAA academic standards
Academic Success	Achieved academic success, passed Algebra I despite recommendations
High School	Northport High School

Michael Brannigan was born on November 12, 1996, in Huntington, New York. His parents noticed his disability when he was only 18 months old, and he was officially diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Brannigan faced difficulty speaking and only started speaking at the age of five. Nonetheless, he found his love with distance running at a young age and excelled at it throughout his high school years. Unfortunately, due to his autism, Brannigan did not meet the academic criteria of the NCAA, which prevented him from competing at the collegiate level. Brannigan participated in the 2016 Summer Paralympics in the 1500-meters category, where he achieved the gold medal.

39. Armani Williams

Armani Williams	Information
Full Name	Armani Williams
Birthdate	April 14, 2000
Birthplace	Grosse Pointe, Michigan
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Debut Season	2022
Current Team	G2G Racing
Car Number	No. 46
Autism Spectrum Diagnosis	First openly diagnosed NASCAR driver on the autism spectrum
Awareness and Symbolism	Cars often sport blue paint schemes with autism puzzle pieces to raise awareness
African-American Drivers	One of five African-American drivers currently competing in NASCAR
Family Background	Great-grandfather owned an auto-body repair shop, sparking early interest in automobiles
Early Racing Career	Started racing go-karts at the age of 8 and progressed to bandoleros
NASCAR Pinty’s Series	Competed in the series in 2017 and 2018, driving for D. J. Kennington
NASCAR K&N Pro Series	Competed in the East and West Series in 2018
ARCA Menards Series	Made debut in 2020 with Fast Track Racing, earning a top-ten finish at Michigan
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Debut	2021 at Gateway, driving for Reaume Brothers Racing
Education	Studying mechanical engineering at Oakland University
Favorite Driver	Jimmie Johnson
High School	Maintained a 3.0 GPA while balancing school and racing

Armani Williams (born April 14, 2000) is a young race car driver. He was born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He has been interested in racing since he was a child, and in 2013, at the age of 14, he began competing in the Bandolero series. He later moved up to the Legends series, and in 2016, he made his debut in the ARCA Menards Series, becoming the first NASCAR driver diagnosed with autism. Although Williams has encountered difficulties, he has persevered in his pursuit of a career in racing, demonstrated his commitment to promoting awareness of autism, and encouraged others with the condition to follow their dreams.

40. Alexis Wineman

Alexis Wineman	Information
Full Name	Alexis Wineman
Education	Huntingdon College
Known for	First known autistic contestant to compete in Miss America pageant
Title	Miss Cut Bank 2012, Miss Montana 2012
Awards	Miss America 2013 “America’s Choice” award
Autism Advocacy	Active autism advocate
Bullying Experience	Overcame childhood bullying and felt different
Diagnosis	Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 11
Platform	“Normal is just a dryer setting – Living with autism”
Youngest Contestant	Youngest participant in Miss America 2013 pageant at age 18
Family	Sister Danielle Wineman was also named Miss Montana
Residence	Currently resides in Montgomery, Alabama
Occupation	Works at a daycare center in a church
College Graduation	Graduated from Huntingdon College in 2017 with a degree in art
Personal Interest	Not heavily interested in beauty and makeup

Alexis Wineman was born on May 6, 1994, in Cut Bank, Montana, United States. She felt different and was bullied, until being diagnosed with autism at age 11. She graduated from Huntingdon College in 2017 with an art degree and currently lives in Montgomery, Alabama. She competed in Miss America 2013 with the platform “Normal is just a dryer setting – Living with Autism,” and won the “America’s Choice” award. 

41. Billy West 

Billy West	Information
Full Name	Billy West
Birthdate	April 16, 1952
Birthplace	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation	Voice actor
Years Active	1980–present
Notable Roles	Bugs Bunny in Space Jam
Other Characters	Elmer Fudd, Popeye, Shaggy Rogers, Red M&M,
Notable Facts	– Born with ADHD and autism
Music Career	Guitarist and singer-songwriter with the band

Born on April 16, 1952, Billy West, also known as William Richard Werstine, is a voice actor hailing from the United States. Diagnosed with ADHD and autism at a young age, West started his career in 1980 on Boston’s WBCN The Big Mattress show, where he performed in daily comedic routines. With over 100 voice roles to his credit, West is widely recognized for his impressive vocal range and has lent his voice to popular television series such as “Futurama,” “The Ren & Stimpy Show,” and “Doug.”

42. Breanna Clark 

Breanna Clark	Information
Full Name	Breanna Clark
Birthdate	November 4, 1994
Nationality	American
Sport	Paralympic Athletics
Disability Class	T20
Autism Diagnosis	Diagnosed at age 4
Twin Brother	Rashard
Mother’s Olympic Achievement	Silver medalist in the women’s 4 x 400 metres relay (1976 Summer Olympics)

Breanna Clark was born on November 4, 1994, in Los Angeles, California, United States. She is a Paralympic athlete who was identified as an austic at the age of four. Clark has run for women’s track teams since she attended Dorsey High School and Pasadena City College. She has participated in various competitions, such as the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. In 2016, Clark won a gold medal at the Rio Games, 40 years after her mother won a silver medal in 1976.

43. Ladyhawke 

Ladyhawke	Information
Full Name	Ladyhawke
Directed by	Richard Donner
Produced by	Richard Donner, Lauren Shuler
Starring	Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer
Cinematography	Vittorio Storaro
Music by	Andrew Powell
Production companies	Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Lauren Shuler Production
Distributed by	Warner Bros. (North America), 20th Century Fox (International)
Release date	April 12, 1985
Running time	121 minutes
Countries	United States, Italy, United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	$20 million
Box office	$18.4 million
Genre	Medieval fantasy
Plot	A young thief becomes involved with a cursed warrior and his lady, and together they overcome the forces of an evil bishop
Filming Locations	Italy (Abruzzo, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardia, Veneto, Lazio)
Composer	Andrew Powell
Score Producer	Alan Parsons
Soundtrack Release	1985, re-released in 1995 and 2015
Reception	Box-office disappointment, rating of 65% on Rotten Tomatoes
Awards	Nominated for two Academy Awards and won a Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film
Notable Cast	Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer
Director’s Efforts	Richard Donner worked on financing the film for several years and successfully brought it to Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox
Original Casting	Kurt Russell was initially cast but later replaced by Rutger Hauer
Critical Reception	Mixed reviews, with praise for the cinematography, lead actors’ performances, and romantic sweep of the film

Phillipa Margaret “Pip” Brown was born on 13 July 1979, in Masterton, New Zealand. She is widely known by her stage name Ladyhawke, and is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She has musical family music as her mother is a singer–guitarist and her stepfather, is a jazz drummer. During her childhood, she usually came to the hospital due to various illnesses and has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome – a form of ASD. 

Brown joined the Two Lane Blacktop band from 2001 to 2003. Later, in 2004, she formed the art rock band Teenager with Nick Littlemore after moving to Australia. She left the band and has pursued a solo career since 2006. On September 22, 2008, she released her self-titled debut album.

44. Sir Anthony Hopkins

Sir Anthony Hopkins	Information
Full Name	Sir Anthony Hopkins
Birthdate	31 December 1937
Birthplace	Port Talbot, Glamorgan, Wales
Citizenship	United Kingdom, United States
Alma Mater	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupations	Actor, Director, Producer
Years Active	1960 – Present
Spouses	Petronella Barker, Jennifer Lynton, Stella Arroyave
Children	1
Awards	Academy Awards: 2, BAFTA Awards: 4, Primetime Emmy Awards: 2, Olivier Award: 1, Cecil B. DeMille Award, BAFTA Fellowship
Education	Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
Theatre Career	Royal National Theatre, Laurence Olivier Award for Pravda, West End production of M. Butterfly
Film Career	The Lion in Winter, The Silence of the Lambs, The Father, Academy Awards: 2
Television Career	British Academy Television Award for War and Peace, Primetime Emmy Awards: 2, Notable projects: The Dresser, King Lear, Westworld
Family Background	Parents: Richard Arthur Hopkins (Baker) and Annie Muriel Hopkins (née Yeates), Grandfather from Wiltshire, England
Honors	Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II

Anthony Hopkins, born in Port Talbot, Glamorgan, Wales on December 31st, 1937, has had a diverse career as an actor, director, and producer. With a collection of awards and nominations including two Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and an Olivier Award, he is a highly decorated artist. Hopkins discovered his passion for the arts as he found himself disinterested in academic subjects. He made his first professional stage appearance in 1960 in Swansea Little Theatre’s production of Have a Cigarette at the Palace Theatre in Swansea. Hopkins has also achieved great success in his film career. In an interview with The Desert Sun in January 2017, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome three years prior, describing his diagnosis as “high-end.”

45. Paula Hamilton 

Paula Hamilton	Information
Full Name	Paula Hamilton
Birthdate	January 23, 1960
Age	63
Birthplace	Lancashire, England
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Hair Colour	Brunette
Eye Colour	Hazel
Notable Achievement	Best known for her appearance in the iconic 1987 Volkswagen Golf TV advert “Changes”
Upbringing	Brought up by her mother and stepfather in South Africa
Education	Attended Burnham Secondary Modern School and later Licensed Victuallers’ School
Challenges	Overcame rejections and established herself as a model in Tokyo, Australia, Germany, and Italy
Substance Abuse	Battled addiction to cocaine and later struggled with alcoholism
Iconic Advertisement	Starred in the 1987 Volkswagen Golf advert “Changes,” portraying Diana, Princess of Wales
Acting Career	Appeared in films such as “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” and “Monk Dawson”
Autobiography	Published her autobiography, “Instructions Not Included”
Mental Health	Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and revealed a combination of dyslexia, developmental coordination disorder,
Television Appearances	Featured in Channel 4’s “Celebrity Five Go to…” and competed in Celebrity Big Brother 11
Legal Troubles	Convicted for drunk driving and assault on a police officer
Simon Cowell	Reportedly lost her virginity to Simon Cowell when they were both attending the same school at age sixteen
Marriages	Married Dan Mindel in 1987 and divorced in 1989
Affair	Had a long affair with Michael Ashcroft

Paula Hamilton was born on 23 January 1960, in Lancashire, England. She is a model, she gained reputation for her appearance in the 1987 MkII Volkswagen Golf TV advert Changes. She had dyslexia, which affected her reading and writing skills, and by 2007, a diagnosis revealed that she had a combination of dyslexia, developmental coordination disorder, and Asperger syndrome. In her twenties, she went to rehab for cocaine addiction and experienced challenges with alcohol.  Hamilton also ventured into acting and starred in notable films like Mad Dogs and Englishmen (1995) and Monk Dawson (1998).

46. Rick Glassman 

Rick Glassman	Information
Full Name	Rick Glassman
Birthdate	July 23, 1984
Birthplace	Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States
Occupation(s)	Actor, Comedian, Writer, Director
Notable Works	– Portrayed Burski on the NBC sitcom Undateable

Rick Glassman was born on July 23, 1984, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States. While attending Kent State University, he earned a marketing degree in 2006 and concurrently took theater classes.  After graduation, Glassman started performing stand-up comedy, first performing at the Cleveland Improv in 2007. He was invited to the New Faces showcase at the Just for Laughs comedy festival in 2013, and made an appearance in the second season of Adam Devine’s House Party.
In the late 2010s, Glassman received a diagnosis of level 1 autism, which was previously referred to as Asperger syndrome. He revealed to Forbes that his diagnosis helped him understand how his seemingly unrelated struggles were connected and that he takes pride in his condition.

47. Aleksander Vinter 

Aleksander Vinter	Information
Full Name	Aleksander Vinter
Occupation	Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Performer
Known Aliases	Savant, Vinter, Datakrash, Blanco, Vinter in Hollywood
Origin	Oslo, Norway
Genres	Electronic, EDM, Experimental, Dubstep, Complextro
Years Active	2007–present
Labels	SectionZ, Vybz
Notable Releases	Debut album: “Outbreak” (2009) as Vinter in Hollywood
Notable Achievements	Nominated for the electronic music category at the Norwegian Grammy Awards
Asperger Syndrome	Aleksander Vinter has Asperger syndrome and has discussed his struggles in school and life
Video Game Soundtrack	Created the soundtrack for the video game “Savant – Ascent” (2013)

Born on April 16, 1987, in Holmestrand, Norway, Aleksander Vinter is a musician known for his musical work released under various names, but he is most recognized for his contributions under the name Savant. In 2009, he released his debut album under the name Vinter in Hollywood. One of his successful works, ZION, achieved No. 19 on the Billboard Dance Chart and No. 24 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Vinter had faced challenges in his academic and personal life due to several mental conditions prior to being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. After receiving the diagnosis, he gained a better understanding of his struggles.

48. Thomas A. McKean 

Thomas A McKean	Information
Full Name	Thomas A. McKean
Birthdate	June 18, 1965 (age 58)
Birthplace	Columbus, Ohio, United States
Language	English
Nationality	American
Alma Mater	Parkland College
Occupation	Author, Lecturer, Poet, Singer-songwriter
Autism Advocacy	Elected to the board of the Autism Society of America
Notable Works	Soon Will Come the Light, Light on the Horizon
Notable Awards	National Autism Society of America award for literary excellence
Education	Attended regular and special-education classrooms, spent time in a psychiatric institution
Autism Insights	Provides a first-person view of the world of autism and its challenges
Advocacy Approach	Emphasizes listening to parents and staying informed on current research
Relationships and Autism	Shared personal experiences in dating and understanding autistic children
Additional Talents	Proficient in computers and technical design
Media Appearances	Guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show and featured in Esquire magazine
Critique on Online Portrayals	Highlights distorted and unrealistic views of autism on the internet

Thomas A. McKean was born on June 18, 1965, in Columbus, Ohio, U.S. He is a writer, poet, singer-songwriter, and international speaker. He discovered his autism which leads him to experience various symptoms, such as making unusual sounds and feeling low-intensity pain due to sensory perception. McKean gained attention in the autistic community and shared his story as an autistic person. In 2001, he appeared as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show to talk about his childhood, feelings of loneliness, and difficulties with emotional regulation and sensory sensitivity, which were heightened due to his autism.

49. Abz Love 

Abz Love	Information
Full Name	Abz Love
Birthdate	29 June 1979
Birthplace	London, England
Other Names	Abs, Abs Breen, Richard Sanveren, Mr Light Fantastic, The Pop Bandit
Occupation(s)	Rapper, singer, songwriter, DJ, producer, TV personality
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar, turntables, sampler
Genres	Pop, R&B, hip hop, dance
Band Membership	Five (1997-2001)
Solo Album	Abstract Theory (2003)
Solo Hits	“What You Got”, “Stop Sign”, “Miss Perfect”
Television Appearances	The Big Reunion, All Star Mr & Mrs, Celebrity Big Brother 12, Country Strife: Abz on the Farm
Autism Diagnosis	Asperger syndrome
Farming Project	Country Strife: Abz on the Farm
Supergroup Membership	Boyz on Block (since 2019)
Recent TV Appearance	Celebs Go Dating (Series 10, 2022)
Relationship	Engaged to Vicky Fallon
Property	Smallholding in Wales

Abz Love, born on 29 June 1979 in London, England, is a multi-talented English rapper, singer, songwriter, DJ, producer, and TV personality. He was previously a member and lead singer of the boy band Five. Love won the reality TV show “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2013 and has appeared on several other reality shows, such as “The Farm” and “Celebs on the Farm.” While on “Celebrity Big Brother,” Love disclosed in a private conversation that he has Asperger’s syndrome, which is a mild form of autism.

50. Christopher Duffley 

Christopher Duffley	Information
Full Name	Christopher Duffley
Birthdate	April 17, 1989
Birthplace	Visalia, California, U.S.
Other Names	Avriel & the Sequoias
Alma Mater	Mt. San Antonio College
Diagnosis	Autism Spectrum Disorder
Musical Talent	Gifted singer and musician
Notable Performances	Sang the national anthem at various sporting events
Inspirational Journey	Overcame challenges and inspired others with his music
Philanthropy	Engaged in charitable activities to raise awareness for autism
Motivational Speaker	Delivers speeches to inspire and encourage others
Voice Range	Impressive vocal range with soulful and powerful delivery
Musical Collaborations	Collaborated with renowned artists in the music industry
Concert Appearances	Performed at various prestigious venues and events
Inspirational Message	Shares messages of hope, perseverance, and inclusion
Media Appearances	Featured on television programs and news outlets
Recognition and Awards	Received accolades for his talent and advocacy efforts

Christopher Duffley was born on May 19, 2001, in Florida, USA, and began singing at a very young age (by four). In his first grade, he performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a Memorial Day assembly. His cover of “Open the Eyes of My Heart” went viral on YouTube, and he received wide attention from media outlets such as USA Today, The Huffington Post, and FOX. Autism Speaks recognized Christopher Duffley in 2013 as one of ten most outstanding individuals with autism who achieved success in their respective areas.