Autism: Celebrities on the Autism spectrum

Living with Autism - a column by The Autistic Journalist Tyler Ody. North Swindon resident Tyler Ody has been working for Swindon Link for the past three years. From the age of four Tyler has been diagnosed with Classic Autism. Here's his new monthly column.

Hey everybody! Welcome to the tenth instalment of Living with Autism, which is a little bit different compared to previous ones. 

This time I'm writing about celebrities who have autism, or are on the spectrum.

I would say I idolise people with autism who are in the public eye because I see them as a lot like me and I can sympathise with them.

One person in particular is Christine Mcguiness, who is a model and TV personality, and known as the wife of TV funny man Paddy Mcguiness.

Christine has three children who also have autism and has worked with the BBC to make her documentaries such as 'Paddy and Christine Our Family and Autism.'

On 15 March 2023, she broadcasted 'Unmasking my Autism' on BBC which is now avalible on BBC iPlayer.

Another famous person who is on the spectrum is Bill Gates who is the co-founder of Microsoft.

He was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome which is a form of autism.

For those who are fans of the teatime gameshow The Chase - you may know Anne Hegerty 'The Governess' has autism. 

She was diagnosed with it in 2003. I really look up to her because she has brilliant knowledge of all subjects... I also loved it when she came to Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre for the pantomime 'Beauty and the Beast', in 2022.

Walt Disney - the brains behind Mickey Mouse and all the Disney classics - was said to have autism and dyslexia. He apparently struggled in school but was still a creative legend.

Pop legend and former Take That member Robbie Williams also announced in an interview that he was diagnosed with Asperges when he was a child.

He has since said in interviews that growing up was really difficult for him and he often felt out of place.   

I would definitely say these celebrities I have mentioned are an influence in my life, and I know there are many more out there.