Millions of people are living with autism, in one form or
another. Living with autism can be a challenge; autistic people often seem
eccentric in their interests and behaviors, and have difficulty understanding
and connecting with other people. However, living with autism doesn’t prevent
someone from attaining fulfillment and success. Many autistic people have
achieved great things and made notable contributions to society and culture.
Three famous people who are autistic include Dan Akroyd,
best known for his role in the hit movie Ghostbusters;
Daryl Hannah, an actress who had a starring role in the movie Wall Street; and Temple Grandin, a noted
scientist, author, and activist.
Dan Akroyd: Diagnosed with
Asperger’s Syndrome
Dan Akroyd grew up in Ottawa, Canada. He first gained fame
as a writer and actor on the variety show Saturday
Night Live, for which he received an Emmy award in 1977. He later went on
to act in the hit movies Blues Brothers
and Ghostbusters.
In addition to having Tourette’s syndrome, Dan Akroyd has
revealed in interviews that he was diagnosed during childhood with
high-functioning Autism. He may actually have Asperger’s syndrome, but the
diagnosis did not come into use until Akroyd was an adult. Despite these
conditions, however, Akroyd has become a very successful and spiritually
fulfilled individual.
Daryl Hannah: Also Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome
Actress Daryl Hannah’s acting career took off with her role
in the classic science fiction movie Blade
Runner. She went on to play roles in many other movies, including the
critically acclaimed Wall Street.
Hannah reports having shown classic signs of autism as a child, including
compulsively rocking back and forth. She says that she is uncomfortable in
social situations, and can’t stand being in the spotlight. Despite having
autism and difficulty with social situations, however, Daryl Hannah became a
very successful actress. Nowadays, having essentially retired from acting, she
devotes much of her time to environmental activism.
Temple Grandin: Autistic Author and
Activist
Temple Grandin is a doctor of animal science, and a
professor at Colorado State University. In addition to her college
professorship and her role as a consultant on animal behavior to the livestock
industry, Grandin is a noted autism activist.
At the age of two, Grandin was diagnosed with autism. She
did not speak until the age of four, but she went on to become very
high-functioning. She has written and spoken extensively about living with
autism, and is a noted activist for the rights of autistic persons. She has
spoken of her terror in social situations, and also her hypersensitivity to
sensory stimuli. At the age of 18 she designed a device called a “hugbox”,
which applies gentle pressure.
Temple Grandin was listed in 2010 in Time Magazine’s “Time 100” as one of the 100 most influential
people in the world.
Many people living with autism lead rich, fulfilling, and
successful lives. Two notable Hollywood actors, Dan Akroyd and Daryl Hannah,
have revealed autism diagnoses in interviews, and have talked about what it is
like to live with this disorder. Even more well-known is Temple Grandin, a
world-famous author, autism rights activist, animal rights activist, and
scientist. These inspiring people demonstrate that living with autism doesn’t
prevent someone from attaining happiness and success in their lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment