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



Monday 1 October 2012

FAMOUS PEOPLE AFFECTED BY AN ASD BORN IN OCTOBER


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.

October 1, 1987  -  Jason McElwain  -  High school basketball trainer/player.  In 2006, with his team down by a huge margin, his coach decided to let McElwain play the last 4 minutes of the game.  He went 7 of 9 from the field including 6 - 3 pointers in his only game.  At the end of the game, the audience stormed the court in dramatic fashion.  McElwain also finished 15TH in the Rochester Marathon in 2012.  McElwain was diagnosed with autism as a child.

October 7, 1967  -  Toni Braxton  -  Famous singer and actor who won Grammy awards in 1993 and 1996.  Toni Braxton has sold over 15 million albums during her career 20 year career.  Braxton's son Diezel was diagnosed with autism in 1995 as a child and she is now a spokesperson for Autism Speaks.

October 23, 1962  -  Doug Flutie  -  Retired CFL and NFL quarterback.  Flutie won the Heisman trophy in 1984 while at Boston College.  Flutie won back to back Grey Cups while playing for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 96 and 97.  Flutie won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1998 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in the same year.  Doug Flutie started the Doug Flutie Foundation after his son Doug jr was diagnosed with CDD at age 3.

October 28, 1955  -  Bill Gates  -  Gates is a computer mogul who helped create Microsoft.  And is one of the richest people in the world with an estimated net worth of 66 billion dollars.  Gates has won countless awards in his lifetime for his work as a philanthropist.  Bill Gates is rumoured to have Asperger's syndrome.


Be sure to check out other months for more birthdays.

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4 comments:

  1. You forgot me. Why am I not on your list???

    Haha! I love reading these.

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    1. Today is our anniversary and my birthday is on the 5th this month. When is yours?

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  2. I didn't worry too much about my son's future success because he was already in 8th grade by the time he was diagnosed and already doing things with the computer that was 10 times over my head. He will probably be more successful than i could ever hope to be if he gets his social skills under control. He did better on his ACT and is doing better in college than me because he's focusing on his interests. I was all over the place my first couple of years in college. I wouldn't worry too much. Get Jacob through one year at a time getting all the help, therapies, etc. he needs. He'll probably turn out better than most neurotypical children because of all the extra attention. :)

    The Murph and I are getting married the day after you birthday!

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    1. I hope my son goes to college like your son. And him not getting diagnosed until he was a teen must have been tough. Even though we expect Jacob to go to college, we don't push him at all. So we just take things day by day.

      And your big day is coming soon. October is the best month for weddings. Who doesn't love fall colours? I hope things go well and don't pull your hair out before Saturday.

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