Celebrities are human beings first, stars second, so they naturally have the same strengths and weaknesses, health concerns and disabilities, as everyone else. With that in mind, we share with you some famous people who have been diagnosed on the spectrum.
Because at VBA we believe that, with the right help, anyone can lead a meaningful life.
Dan Aykroyd
The man who brought us the classic Ghostbusters movies was expelled from school twice due to unruly behavior.
Many people don’t know Dan has dealt with medical issues all his life, having been born with syndactyly, or webbed toes. Since childhood, he has also struggled with symptoms of Tourette's syndrome and Asperger's syndrome. He was raised in a very religious home, and until age 17 he intended to become a priest.
However, it was thanks to his struggles with Asperger and Tourette's that Dan was able to build a successful life. It seems he had developed such an obsession with police officers and ghosts that he turned it into a screenplay.
Dan has never permitted his medical challenges to stand in his way, and his dedication to following his dreams led him to a career as actor, producer, comedian, musician, and filmmaker. He’s been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, starred in his own sitcom, and is a co-founder of the House of Blues chain of music venues.
Not everyone will become a comedic actor, of course, but it’s comforting to know that being on the spectrum needn’t be the factor that holds you or a loved one back from leading a productive life.
Get more information today on how VBA can help children on the spectrum, their family members, and their teachers to reach new milestones, new opportunities for learning skills, and positively reshaping behavior.
VBA's professional team understands that collaborating with parents and children can mean life-changing achievements.