WELCOME TO JIM'S AUTISM BLOG





Hi everyone and thanks for visiting our blog. My wife and I created this blog to chronicle our experience while raising a son with Asperger's syndrome. Since our son was diagnosed with an ASD at age 5, we've had a lot of questions. Lucky for us we have a great support network in place. And our blog gives us an opportunity to share what we've learned with our readers. We hope you find our blog informative and interesting. Thanks again for visiting.


"It seems that for success in science and art, a dash of autism is essential." Dr Hans Asperger 1906-1980



Sunday 1 July 2012

FAMOUS PEOPLE AFFECTED BY AN ASD BORN IN JULY

When Jacob was diagnosed with Asperger's at age 5, we quickly began to wonder what it would be like for Jacob when he becomes a grown up.  Would he be successful?  Go to college?  Be rich and famous?  So I began to research celebrities and other notable people who had an ASD.  And was I surprised.  I had no idea how many famous people had been affected by an ASD.  Either by having an ASD themselves or having a family member with an ASD.

*Please note*  Not everyone listed in this series has been diagnosed with an ASD.  Some may have an actual ASD while some may be suspected of having an ASD.  Others on this list may have a family member with an ASD.  Some people listed are deceased so an actual diagnosis of an ASD is impossible.  Also, every one listed was mentioned on multiple websites which I felt were credible.  And I did not reference Wikipedia.


BIRTHDAYS IN JULY

July 1, 1952  -  Dan Aykroyd  -  Famous Canadian actor who's known for his roles in the Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters.  Dan Aykroyd was also a cast member of Saturday Night Live for 4 seasons in the 70's.  Dan Aykroyd was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in the early 1960's.

July 2, 1951  -  Robin Williams  -  Robin Williams is a world renowned actor whose starred in many films including Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poet's Society and Jumanji.  Robin Williams also starred in the TV show Mork and Mindy and he's done voices in the animated movies Robots, Toys and Happy Feet.  Robin Williams is rumoured to have Asperger's syndrome.

July 6, 1946  -  Sylvester Stallone  -  Sylvester Stallone is a famous actor best known for his roles in Rocky and Rambo.  He also provided a voice in the animated movie ANTS.  Sylvester Stallone was nominated for an Oscar in 1977 for his role as Rocky Balboa.  Sylvester Stallone's son Seargeoh was born in 1979 and was diagnosed with autism at age 3.

July 9, 1964  -  Courtney Love  -  Courtney Love is a famous actress and musician.  She starred in People VS Larry Flynt along with Woody Harrelson.  Love is also the lead vocalist for the rock group Hole.  Hole has been nominated for 3 Grammy awards during their peak in the 1990's.  Courtney Love was diagnosed with mild autism as a child.

July 30, 1863  -  Henry Ford  -  Henry Ford invented the assembly line which revolutionized the way that cars were assembled.  Henry Ford also invented the Ford Model T, which became the first mass produced car for regular people.  Henry Ford also built his first steam engine at age 15.  Henry Ford is rumoured to have had Asperger's syndrome.

"Failure is simply, the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently."  Henry Ford

Be sure to check out other months for more birthdays.

APRIL   MAY   JUNE

4 comments:

  1. It's amazing the number of famous people who are suspected to have Asperger's or autism. Most of them were never diagnosed.

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    1. It's truly amazing. I had no idea that so many people are suspected of having autism. And with recent advances in diagnosing autism, who knows how many people actually have an ASD.

      I'm not trying to diagnose these people myself though, it's just nice to see that some successful poeple have an ASD. And it gives me hope for my son too.

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  2. I didn't know some of those people were kindred spirits. Wow!

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    Replies
    1. Neither did I until I really started looking. Now keep in mind that some have no official diagnosis, but them having an ASD might explain their personalities or behaviour.

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