8 Inspiring People Will Change The Way You Think About Autism

I love it when we have an opportunity to focus on autism from the perspective of what is possible vs what’s not.  So many truly extraordinary people, Mozart, Gates, Einstein, Burton, Worhol with extraordinary talents and gifts expand our perspectives and our hearts!

These 8 Inspiring People Will Change The Way You Think About Autism And Asperger's 

The Huffington Post | By Laura Schocker Posted:12/12/2013 8:54 am EST  | 

connect to read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/12/autism-celebrities aspergers_n_4427196.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Susan Boyle In 2009, a shy, 47-year-old Scottish woman touched the world with her breathtaking rendition of Les Misérables' "I Dreamed A Dream" on Britain's Got Talent. After the performance, Susan Boyle catapulted into a singing sensation, selling more than 14 million records worldwide.

James Durbin
The American Idol alum (from season 10), who recently released his new single, "Parachute," was first diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and Tourette syndrome at age 10. "Right around the time when I was diagnosed, I got a hand-me-down guitar with a chord book and a cheap busted tuner," 

Daryl Hannah
Earlier this year, the actress opened up to People magazine about being diagnosed with autism as a child, and how it contributed to a fear of fame as an adult, HuffPost previously reported. 

Dan Aykroyd
The actor and writer told the Daily Mail earlier this week that, like Durbin, he has been diagnosed with both Tourette syndrome and Asperger syndrome. And he says the latter actually helped to inspire the movie Ghostbusters. 

Heather Kuzmich
When America's Next Top Model cycle nine began in 2007, the audience met 21-year-old Heather Kuzmich, who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.

Dan Harmon
The Community creator started learning more about Asperger syndrome while developing the character of Abed for the NBC show. "So, in a very naive way -- and I’ve never told anybody this before -- I started researching the disorder," 

Alexis Wineman
Earlier this year, Miss Montana became the first Miss America contestant with autism to compete in the pageant. At age 11, Wineman was diagnosed with pervasive development disorder, CNN reported.

Temple Grandin
A professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University, the university calls her "the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world." According to her website, Grandin didn't speak until she was three and a half years old, "communicating her frustration instead by screaming, peeping and humming."