Famous People with Aspergers Syndrome

NOTE: Also included are 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.

Science

Albert Einstein provided the theory of relativity and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for the work he did with photoelectric effect. Characteristics, which may indicate that Einstein was a fellow Aspie: Einstein could not speak fluently at the age of nine (Botham, 2006, p. 16), language delays are common in children with high functioning autism. His parents suspected that he might actually be mentally retarded (Botham, 2006, p. 16).

Often, children with Autism are labeled Mentally Retarded or Behaviorally Disordered. At the ceremony of induction as an American, Einstein attended without socks (Botham, 2006, p. 16). Children and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome often have peculiar habits, extreme sensitivity to textures (Attwood, 2006, p. 3), and are often rated “high” on scales measuring atypicality, demonstrating odd behaviors, and seemingly lost in their own little world (Fattig, 2007). Frequently, children with Asperger’s struggle with finding socks that “feel right” or with a line at the toe that doesn’t not bother them.

Isaac Newton dropped out of school as a teenager (Botham, 2006, p. 15). A person with Asperger’s may not be able to accept rules in school if they appear illogical, pursuing a point or argument “as a matter of principle,” which can lead “to a significant conflict with teachers and school authorities,” (Attwood, 2006, p. 11).

Benjamin Franklin was considered to be one of the most important of the founding fathers of our country. He was a theorist, author, politician, scientist, activist, and diplomat. His scientific contributions included physics, discovery of electricity, and theories regarding electricity (Wikipedia, 2007). He was also the first head of the post office. Indicating the potential need for rigid rule and order, with sorting tendencies. “Benjamin Franklin’s peers did not give him the assignment of writing the Declaration of Independence because they feared that he would conceal a joke in it,” (Botham, 2006, pp. 17-18). Aspies are notorious for an extreme or different sense of humor.

Politics

Napoleon Bonaparte was reportedly afraid of cats, favored mathematicians or physical scientists, and tended to exclude humanists from his inner circle. He believed humanists were troublemakers. He also required his servants to wear his boots, breaking them in for him, before he would wear them (Botham, 2006, p. 17). Napoleon may have exhibited a social deficit, leaning towards others with similar intellectual and personality traits. He may have been preoccupied with perseverative or unfounded fears, with a hypersensitivity to textures on his feet or person.

George Washington, the first president of the United States of America. Aspie signs: George grew marijuana in his own garden (Botham, 2006, p. 2). Many adults with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome or Attention Deficit Disorder, self medicate in order to “soothe their restless brains and bodies,” (Richardson, 1998, p. 1). He was extremely terrified of being buried alive, therefore, he dictated that he be “laid out for three days just to be sure he was dead,” (Botham, 2006, p. 2). Perseverative fears and bizarre adherence to seemingly ineffectual rules or rituals are common in people with Asperger’s Syndrome and autism. People on the Aspie team, perceive or think about the world differently than others (Attwood, 2006, p. 2). George reportedly had to borrow money, in order to attend his own inauguration ceremonies (Botham, 2006, p. 2). Difficulties with money management, pack rack tendencies, and/or impulsively giving possessions away are common traits in the Aspie race (Fattig, 2007).

John Quincy Adams, also a president of the country, owned and kept a pet alligator in the East Room of the White House (Botham, 2006, p. 3). Again, atypicality is a common thread for our people (Fattig, 2007). He reportedly took his “last skinny dip in the Potomac on his seventy-ninth birthday,” (Botham, 2006, p. 3). No further comment needed.

Andrew Jackson maintained the belief that the world was flat (Botham, 2006, p. 3), indicating rigid concrete thinking, without the ability to see another’s perspective (Attwood, 2006, p. 2). May be he, too, was on our team?

Andrew Johnson taught himself tailoring, and made his own clothes and clothes for those in his cabinet (Botham, 2006, p. 3). Tailoring may have been a means of self-medicating the “gut wrenching feelings that accompany ADHD,” (Richardson, 1998) and Asperger’s Syndrome. Often, people with Asperger’s, like people with true ADHD, feel nervous or fidgety inside and cope through leg bouncing, gum chewing, crafting, knitting, steepling their fingers, knuckle popping and other behaviors (Garnett & Attwood, 1995).

Abraham Lincoln had a nervous breakdown, and before his election to the presidency in 1860, he lost eight other elections (Botham, 2006, p. 4). Asperger’s is often first misdiagnosed as depression, anxiety, bipolar, or a breakdown and running repeatedly for office may be indicative of perseveration, ritualistic need for routine even when it doesn’t appear to be working, and rigidity (Fattig, 2007). Also, Lincoln’s mother reportedly died after drinking milk from the family cow, after it ate poisonous mushrooms (Botham, 2006, p. 4). Not a sign or characteristic of Asperger’s, but weird nonetheless.

James Garfield was able to write in Latin with one hand, and in Greek with the other hand…at the same time (Botham, 2006, p. 4). Evidence of savant skills?

After being shot, Teddy Roosevelt refused to accept medical assistance, until after completing a speech he was delivering (Botham, 2006, p. 4). Rigidity of rule and routine, with a touch of obsessive-compulsive behaviors? He also wrote 37 books (Botham, 2006, p. 4). Repetitive, stereotypical behaviors with perseverative tendencies perhaps?

William Taft got stuck in his bathtub on the day of his Inauguration, and “had to be pried out by his attendants,” (Botham, 2006, p. 5). Eating disorders are often a part of Asperger’s Syndrome and autism. Hyper reactivity to gustatory, olfactory, or textural can lead to under eating, refusal to eat all but just one or two foods, or malnourishment. Hypo reactivity to gustatory or vestibular, can lead to bored eating, compensatory eating, comfort eating, and obesity. “Unfortunately, professionals as well as concerned family members and friends mistakenly blame parents of children with autism spectrum disorders for their child’s poor eating habits. Sometimes parents’ concerns are ignored and they are told not to worry since most children go through stages of picky eating and food fads,” (Wheeler, 2004, p. 1).

Harry Truman’s middle name remained just an S, because “his parents could not decide between two different names beginning with S,” (Botham, 2006, p. 6). Although not technically associating characteristics to Harry himself, parents of children with Asperger’s frequently exhibit characteristics as well. The core characteristics of Asperger’s Syndrome include limited or restricted social awareness and understanding; difficulty or inability to maintain reciprocity or give and take conversationally; and intense or restricted interest in a subject (Attwood, 2006, p. 2).

This article is taken from http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_2086.shtml

Audio-sequential, or Visual-spatial?

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For some years, the two predominant learning styles were referred to as “left brain” and “right brain”, because they resembled the brain functions that were presumed to be associated with one hemisphere or the other.

However, within each hemisphere are various functions. In fact, we use all of our brains in an interactive way with virtually every task we perform. Yet, there does seem to be a clear grouping of characteristics that reflect individual differences in thinking and learning styles, and these styles have been relabeled auditory-sequential and visual-spatial learning styles.

These two different styles provide a powerful way of looking at fundamental difference in how people think, learn, solve problems, and even understand or interact with one another.


Auditory-Sequential

* Thinks primarily using words, learns phonics easily.
* Prefers auditory explanations.
* Processes information and tasks sequentially.
* Prefers to learn facts and details, likes specific instructions.
* Deals with one task at a time in a linear, orderly process.
* Prefers structure and is well-organized; prefers proper working materials and setting
* Is an analytical thinker, logically deduces implications.
* Prefers solving existing problems.
* Prefers concrete tasks that have one correct answer.
* Approaches most situations in a serious manner.

Visual-Spatial

* Thinks primarily in images and prefers seeing tasks demonstrated.
* Prefers visual explanations.
* Processes information holistically; prefers seeing the overview prior to details.
* Prefers abstract thinking tasks; likes general goals and directions.
* Prefers handling several tasks at a time, or multi-tasking.
* Prefers open, fluid situations; creates own structure; often improvises; looks for patterns.
* Prefers synthesizing activities; produces ideas intuitively.
* Prefers solving novel or self-generated problems.
* Prefers concepts; better at reasoning than at computation.
* Approaches problems playfully.

Most people relate more to one or the other of the two thinking styles, though some report that they have characteristics of both styles. When someone has extreme preference for one style, it can create problems for them.

Which thinking style is better?

Both have certain advantages depending upon their task. The characteristics of gifted children and the concept of a preferred learning style have definite implications for families and for school. Another important dimension for understanding gifted children is the concept of “overexcitabilities“.

Parts of this article are excerpts from A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children.

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Autism catastrophe

Autism catastrophe
Published Date: 28 November 2008

...The most recent government study confirmed that the rate of autism in the UK now stands at one child in 88, with the rate for boys, who are most likely to be affected, around one in 58. Make no mistake, this is a public health catastrophe.

As a result of parental demand, Autism Treatment Trust opened a clinic in Edinburgh in 2006 and to date has arranged comprehensive testing and commenced treatments for more than 300 autistic children. The results of the tests have been striking and a remarkable pattern is emerging: gastrointestinal issues are common, particularly inflammation; food intolerances and allergies feature regularly, as do immune abnormalities and heavy metal toxicity. Many of these children are very ill. All are treatable.

The belief that autism is solely genetic in origin is unsustainable; environmental factors must be at play. You do not get genetic epidemics.

BILL WELSH
President, Autism Treatment Trust
Stafford Street
Edinburgh

The overwhelming school vacation

Lately everyday seems like a lifetime at my nephew (B)'s household.

The school holidays have descended upon them, and they are 'avidly' bored. Sure there are tonnes of on-going activities out there organized by different venues, establishments, etc... but going there, that's a different issue.

Take last month for example, I went to visit the newly revamped West Coast Park. Pretty, least in comparison to the last time I was there. A mini mangrove swamp (wannabe, but impressive nonetheless), the rocky water-breakers, the shipyard (extremely romantic), containers on the road, countless numbers of playgrounds for the little ones, oh and the Mc Cafe.

There was a nice breeze out on the water, making it the type of comfortable evening we rarely see in Sunny Singapore. I watched a bunch of young children swinging at the playground. A night like this brings people out.

Me: "Ought to tell my sis to bring her kids here during the holidays. Looks fun."

Him: "Yup, tonnes of playgrounds and wide open spaces. B would have lots of space to run and be himself."

As he said that, a boy caught my eye. He looked about 10 years old. He displayed the typical behaviour I’ve come to recognize, and his speech was relatively undeveloped for his age. He was shouting (pretty gleefully in my opinion) and jumped around. Some adults quickly pulled their children away (DESPITE the fact that the boy was not disturbing any of the other kids).

The child's mother however did not seem bothered by it.

"Do people react like that when B's does things like that?", he asked me.

Before I had my nephew, I might have felt sorrow for the parents. But now I know, we do not want or need pity.

"I'm not too sure, or bothered," I replied. "When I'm out with him, I'm enjoying my moments with him."

Is it exhausting being with him? I'm sure B's parents face the worst exhaustion of it all. Nonetheless, when I'm with him, and got him in the forefront of my utter conciousness, he's helping me be a better parent, then I would have been without B (when I do become one).

And the mom at the playground? She went on enjoying some well-spent time with her son on a beautiful evening.

An unexpected childhood

Having spent much time with my nephews lately, I've been having many thoughts running through my head lately.

My gorgeous (that's an understatement, really) 8 year old nephew is autistic. He can be a handful (palmful.. armsful..) but I adore him to bits. Probably because he resembles me in many ways, or the fact that he was the first little baby I carried, or fed, or showered, or cleaned up, or pee'd on me (eeeks!), either ways I love him oh-so-much like my own.

The fact that he's autistic never bothered me much. I used to only get annoyed when someone makes a rude statement about him or his behaviour. Maybe it was because I was younger, and never saw life in the bigger picture. Sure, I thought my sister needed to save up (big-time!), and have some form of investment to keep him funded. But that was about all I thought that would be 'different' from the 'normal' lifestyle.

Now when I'm planning for my future, I can't help but constantly think of him. Thank God, there is God. Else, there was would the inevitable question of, "What happen if a parent dies?"

Morbid thoughts, but rational ones nonetheless. These are few thoughts I had over the past few days. It would be good to:

- maintain a Will, that would include a guardianship for the child.
- have good life insurances, and your special needs child is the beneficiary.
- maintain all paperwork (child's treatment details, progress diary- it's good to have one) together with your Will. Thus allowing your guardian to understand your child better in the event of the unfortunate.

That said, of course the guardian has to be someone close to your child enough to know all such details.

My nephew, let's call him 'B'. B has been quite difficult lately. Perhaps because it's his first school vacation. It's his first year attending formal primary school education, he managed to get through the first year.

What has he achieved?- I thought.
What is achievement? What constitutes “perfect”?

"Perfect"- I've never liked that word. I grew up believing it was my mom's and sister's favourite word. One grew up demanding perfection, the other- providing.

B is learning do more and more new things everyday. They don't come naturally, and they aren't in the school curriculum, but they're survival factors. I love it when he looks at me straight, eyes wide open, eyebrows raised and gives his nasty smile. It always warms my heart, and more importantly- reminds me.

He (and other children with autism) must not be ignored nor contained in the guise of a “tragedy,” or a “blessing.” Though very often I view him as a special, and most precious, and I'm sure my sister does too- I try never to forget that he is a kid, before he became a cause, a reason.

Yes, it took time to teach him that communication does not involve banging his head on the floor, nonetheless, he is still a child, for now. He too lost his baby teeth, he too loves jumping in puddles of water, he too steps on dried leaves, and he too is addicted to X-box and all the schmacy new gadgets.