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Famous Aspergians

 
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I just wanted to provide a few resources for mothers of Asperger’s children. Yes they do indeed turn out to be amazing adults.

They might take a little longer or take a non-traditional path but these marvelous, eccentric geniuses bloom. Below are two site that list Hans Christian Anderson, Nicola Tesla and Dan Aykroyd among other famous people who have or had Asperger's Syndrome.
The third site provides a list of the top 5 Asperger’s books. I loved Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robinson and here’s another I’d like to add to that list:

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Famous Aspergians

http://incorrectpleasures.blogspot.com/2006/09/referenced-list-of-famous-or-important.html

More

http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Asperger's-syndrome

Top 5 Aspergers Books

http://specialed.about.com/od/disabilities/tp/aspresources.htm

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Thanks for your sharing. This has really replenished my energies and hope in providing support and prayer! May our Lord Jesus bless you a million times more than how you have blessed others through your sharing.

September 6, 2009 - 8:01pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

There is absolutely no proof that any of the dead people mentioned here or on the blog you link to actually had Asperger's. This is similar to trying to determine the IQs of dead people. It's an exercise in ego, and not one that really helps anybody.Why not point to the many livng people with Asperger's who are accomplishing something with their lives? It's more typical for anyone, with Asperger's or without, to simply lead normal, average lives, so why hold up geniuses and other highly accomplished people as models for children who will be unlikely to take that path?

I'm an adult with Asperger's and I have no need to boost my ego with phoney comparisons.

Note: "Aspergian" is a term used mostly by a small number of people who promote the ideal of some kind of separate state--purely a fantasy. It's not used by most people.

May 5, 2009 - 5:56am
(reply to Anonymous)

Anon, great comment. I'm always so interested to talk with adults with Asperger's since it won't be too much longer till my teenage son with Asperger's reaches adulthood.

I personally thought that Aspergian sounded a bit strange -- I'd never heard it before.

So I'm just curious if you would be offended at being called an "Asperger's Adult." So many times I heard kids with Asperger's being referred to as "Asperger's kids" or "Autistics." And I've heard that being called that can be offensive to some.

I have a good friend whose nephew has ADHD, and she often says "he's ADHD" instead of "he has ADHD." That kind of drives me nuts, but maybe I'm just overly sensitive about disorders and how we refer to people with them.

May 5, 2009 - 4:48pm

Who came up with the term "Aspergian?" I've never heard that before.

Since I have a son with Asperger's, I try to be sensitive to what adults with Asperger's prefer to be called. In my reporter days, I once wrote an article for The Arizona Republic on adults with Asperger's. It really opened my eyes, in more ways than one. In any case, I've heard that it's generally offensive to be called an "Asperger's kid" or an "Autistic." Apparently it's better to say "a kid/person with Asperger's" or "a kid with Autism," since they aren't the disorder but simply have the disorder.

What are your thoughts on this?

May 4, 2009 - 10:56pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Kristin Davis)

My seven year old has Aspergers and we love the term Aspergian. I first heard the term in the book look me in the eye. What I don't like is it being called a disorder. I don't agree with that term.

April 21, 2011 - 5:42pm
(reply to Kristin Davis)

the people in my family with a/s.hate it to be mentioned at all.they all have good jobs and do not talk about it.there is still so much prejudice out thier.thier friend and work mates know they can be odd ans different.but they do not want to share info.why should they.
only close family know.if people ask.WHATS WRONGE .we are carefull who we tell.we are not ashamed.but its our business.people in work can be cruel and bully/
they choose to keep it private.

December 3, 2010 - 5:55am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Kristin Davis)

What total nonsense. That's the sort of rubbish that neurotypicals are into, aspies couldn't care less.
Similarly the blind couldn't care less about being referred to as blind people etc etc. I think you will find it's total nonsense.

October 27, 2009 - 2:09am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I agree these children need good role models and hopefully like myself I have aspergers and other neurologist differences (40% of all school children have some kind of neurological difference!)more adults need to step forward and be proud to have autism, be an autistic adult....

There are many examples of brilliant individuals on and of the autism spectrum, we are no different from anyone else we just have different strengths and weaknesses, very able in some areas and maybe challenged in others... but I have to agree in does tend to help children to know there are many famous people here are just a few more:
http://asplanet.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36&Itemid=73 Aspergers Parallel Planet

May 4, 2009 - 6:00pm
(reply to Anonymous)

so agree,my husband,his sister and brother all have a/s/also O C D
my sister in law is a famous author[non fiction]she turnedher obsessive interest into a life long career.she travels the world./gives lectures and writes her books.she has now written and had published over 5o books.
my husband and his brother also have great careers in thier chosen subject.a/s people are very single minded and can devote whole life to thier career.they often get to the top/

December 3, 2010 - 5:42am
(reply to Anonymous)

so agree,my husband,his sister and brother all have a/s/also O C D
my sister in law is a famous author[non fiction]she turnedher obsessive interest into a life long career.she travels the world./gives lectures and writes her books.she has now written and had published over 5o books.
my husband and his brother also have great careers in thier chosen subject.a/s people are very single minded and can devote whole life to thier career.they often get to the top/

December 3, 2010 - 5:42am
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