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You have to know that about Asperger autism
People who have been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome often seem unapproachable to other people. The autistic developmental disorder goes hand in hand with limited empathy. The less pronounced social competence is perceived by many as a problem. At the same time, people with Asperger are considered special because they often pursue intensive special interests or have a very independent, undisguised view of reality.
A common misunderstanding, however, is that people with Asperger’s syndrome are less or more intelligent than the average of the population. Your language development is usually completely normal. Researchers assume various factors as the basis for the formation of an Asperger autism. Among them are genetic factors (often another family member shows similar symptoms), a old age of the parents at the birth of a child, infections during pregnancy (e.g. rubella), maternal diabetes, very early birth and taking medication during pregnancy. Neurological and biochemical peculiarities can also play a role.
How is Asperger diagnosed?
Diagnoses are usually only possible in the partly advanced childhood. Above all, the conspicuous behavior of the little ones is observed and evaluated. Play and narrative behavior, facial expressions, language, eye contact and motor skills are examined.
Many exceptionally creative people are said to suffer from autistic disorders, including Andy Warhol, Glenn Gould and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In fact, only a few musicians and actors, painters or authors of the present are known that they have been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Some have spoken publicly about it, others have only rumors.
However, there are also good reasons to mention: When public life tells that they suffer from Asperger autism, as has recently been done by climate activist Greta Thunberg, then their actions are often only associated in the context of this “illness” perceived as a social disorder. This is also why Asperger’s syndrome, which is less striking compared to other forms of autism and is often (not always) associated with fewer everyday problems for those affected, is a challenge for all sides.
Rolling Stone has listed some famous personalities who (supposedly) suffer from Asperger’s syndrome.
David Byrne
David Byrne has never been diagnosed with Asperger, but in the past in interviews often spoke of some symptoms that would resemble the autistic disorder.
James Taylor
James Taylor has been said for years that he would suffer from Asperger autism. In fact, there is no official confirmation from him.
Courtney Love
Already at the age of nine, Courtney Love, the widow of Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain, Asperger, was diagnosed. Even if she rarely speaks about it in interviews, she indicated in the past that this had led to a very violent form of introversion.
Bill Gates
The co-founder of Microsoft and longest people in the world is said to suffer from Asperger’s syndrome. Employees often spoke of strange social behavior and sudden cursing during meetings. Officially, there is no confirmation.
Daryl Hannah
Neil Young’s partner was given the Asperger diagnosis in her childhood. According to her own statements, she suffers from a mild form of autistic disorder and has been talking about it in interviews for years.
Tim Burton
In talks, Tim Burton has often indicated that he had a very stubborn look at the world, which could possibly have led to his film cosmos, which may also have its own rules. Although no Asperger diagnosis is known from him, his ex-wife Helena Bonham Carter said that he was “autistic”.
Woody Allen
Although there is no confirmation for this, many former actors and set employees indicated that Woody Allen often showed strange social behaviors while shooting and acting similarly to Asperger autitists. Employees were allegedly fired from one day to the other if something was not right. The special view of the world, as it is common for people with this autistic disorder, will definitely apply to everyone who says of themselves being very introverted.
Bob Dylan
Even at Bob Dylan, there is no confirmation of a specific Asperger diagnosis. The Nobel Prize winner does not speak about something like that in interviews. Some peculiar social behavior (Dylan has problems clapping the audience, does not endure cell phones at his concerts, plays Setlists according to his completely own criteria without interest in the needs of the audience; songs also sound live as he would like to have it). In addition, Dylan spoke several times of a special view of the world that manifested himself in his early childhood.
Gary Numan
The “Cars” singer and pioneer of the synth pop suffers from a mild form of Asperger syndrome and spoke several times in interviews. Numan also indicated the positive sides of Asperger. Private, he largely keeps out of the public.
Craig Nicholls
The vines’s front man became striking several times at concerts by the band because he asked the audience to silence and insulted it if it did not meet. After Nicholls had taken a photographer, the court hearing later stated that the Australian musician suffered from Asperger’s syndrome. Nicholls had to pay compensation for his crime, but the advertisement was dropped.