6 Famous People That Have a Learning Disability
Learning disabilities are tough to deal with, but they’re very common even celebrities have disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia, or autism. We’re gonna talk about 6 celebrities that have a learning disability.
First, we’re going to discuss these learning disabilities and what they are.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by differences from the atypical person, such as social and communication skills, and restrictive or repetitive behaviors.
People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have trouble paying attention, have trouble controlling impulsive behavior, and can be hyperactive.
Dyslexia makes reading difficult for children because they have trouble identifying speech sounds and how they relate to letters and words.
Now let’s look at some people that have found success despite their disorders.
Famous People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Common misconceptions about those with ASD have a mental disability, meaning they lack intellectual abilities. However, this is not true. Many people with ASD have earned college and graduate degrees and have flourishing careers.
Henry Cavendish
Henry Cavendish is the scientist best known for discovering hydrogen. He was born in 1731 and passed away at age 79 in 1810. Some characteristics that let us know that he had ASD are that he avoided company and eye contact with those around him. He would also write notes for his servants versus speaking verbally.
Elon Musk
One of the richest people in the world with a net worth of more than $150 billion. Elon musk is the CEO of Tesla, an electric car company. He announced that he was on the Autism spectrum in 2021 while hosting “Saturday Night Live.”
Famous People With ADHD
ADHD is so common that 8 million adults today live with it. Luckily, most people who live with this neurodevelopmental disorder can lead highly successful lives. Let’s look at some successful people who live with ADHD.
Michael Phelps
At the time of his retirement from swimming, Phelps is one of the most decorated Olympians of all time with 28 medals, 23 of which are gold. He was diagnosed with ADHD at age 9 and had a teacher tell him he “would never be successful.”
Simone Biles
Another Olypian with ADHD, meet this 2016 Olympic gymnast who defies gravity with her tumbling routines. She was exposed by the olympic committee when they found Ritalin, a drug used for attention disorder, in her system. Biles announced her ADHD diagnosis but promised that she was clean of any performance enhancing drugs.
Famous People with Dyslexia
Dyslexia, another learning disability that makes it hard to decipher letters and words is also common but doesn’t take away from these two fantastic people from living a successful life.
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg lived his life up until 60 completely undiagnosed of Dyslexia. He was bullied in school and dropped out of college in 1968. However, this famous film maker is still highly successful in his creative skill. Just check out the cult-classic, The Goonies.
Kiera Knightly
Another creative outlet, acting. This “Pirates of the Carribean” actress used her love of acting to motivate her to read and do good in school despite her Dyslexia. Now, she’s an Academy Award nominee.
Conclusion
Despite whether you have Autism, Dyslexia, or ADHD, it is just a diagnosis. You may have to do things differently than others but you can still be successful no matter what!
Sources:
Dyslexia – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
Autism myths and misconceptions (nv.gov)
Celebrities with ADHD: 9 Famous People with ADHD (healthline.com)