Piece Together Autism Spectrum

The spectrum for autism is broad and can include Asperger’s syndrome—a social reticence.

What It Means to Be on the Spectrum

Once isolated within caregiving homes and institutions, more people with autism spectrum disorder are overcoming challenges to mingle within society. The spectrum for autism is broad and can include Asperger’s syndrome—a social reticence.

The term “spectrum” refers to a range of both symptoms, and their severity. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), autism spectrum disorders encompass previous diagnoses of autism, Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and childhood disintegrative disorder.

With no known cause, theories abound. Commonly vaccinations are blamed. Anecdotally, a child who has been vaccinated may also be diagnosed with autism. Factually, no clinical studies support this correlation. The rumor spreads trypanophobia.

Famous People on the Spectrum

Not all autistic people are savants but some have become actors, mathematicians, teachers and spokespersons. Autistic savants have a developmental disability, yet demonstrate some hypercognition. Notable individuals include:

Albert Einstein – Scientist & Mathematician
Alexis Wineman – Miss Montana, Miss America pageant
Andy Warhol – Artist
Barbara McClintock – Scientist and Cytogeneticist
Benjamin Banneker – African American almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer
Bill Gates – Co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation
Bobby Fischer – Chess Grandmaster
Charles Darwin – Naturalist, Geologist, and Biologist
Charles Richter – Seismologist
Dan Aykroyd – Comedic Actor
Daryl Hannah – Actress & Environmental Activist
Emily Dickinson – Poet
Hans Christian Andersen – Children’s Author
Henry Cavendish – Scientist
James Joyce – Author of “Ulysses”
Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian
Lewis Carroll – Author of “Alice in Wonderland”
Ludwig Wittgenstein – Philosopher
Matthew Labyorteaux – Actor
Michelangelo – Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
Nikola Tesla – Inventor
Paul Dirac – Physicist
Satoshi Tajiri – Creator of Nintendo’s Pokémon
Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician, Astronomer, & Physicist
Stanley Kubrick – Film Director
Steve Jobs – Former CEO of Apple
Susan Boyle – Singer
Temple Grandin – Cattle Industry Designer and Professor
Thomas Jefferson – Early American Politician
Tim Burton – Movie Director
William Butler Yeats – Poet
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Classical Composer

While some actors play a role of autistic individuals, a Netflix series, Atypical, casts autistic actors.

A key paradox among highly creative people is that high achievement accompanies hyperfocus on a field of endeavor. Tuning in on a talent often requires tuning out other people. Another common savant skill is prodigious memory. For more detailed explanation of autism by someone with autism, watch the YouTube video by Temple Grandin.

April is Autism Awareness Month. The puzzle piece representing autism was created by Gerald Gasson in 1963, a parent and board member for theNational Autistic Society (formerly The Society for Autistic Children) in London. At the time, the board believed autistic people suffered from a ‘puzzling’ condition.

Though much more has been learned since then and the definition is evolving, aspects still puzzle medical professionals—the ability to excel in mathematics, music or other creative endeavors with far less effort than those off the spectrum, for example. Maria Hall, parent writes, “My son is a puzzle wrapped in an enigma… I love the puzzle piece.” #AutismAwarenessMonth