Nine Successful People who are Autistic Role Models

Let’s shine a light onto the lives of autistic role models who use their strengths to fly high. It reminds us that the strengths of the autistic mind can often be an asset and that we should have high aspirations for autistic youngsters. Let’s aim big!

Furthermore, there is much false information online about who is (or is not) autistic. So, this article has links to websites that have high editorial standards (mainly reputable news sites). You’ll find those links at the end of the article.

This content can be used in displays, lessons, newsletters etc. Autism Awareness month is every April, although you never have to wait to raise aspirations for autism… You can start any day.

1. James McLean: Pro Footballer

James McLean represented his country, Republic of Ireland, over 100 times. He even captained the team in 2022. During his club career, James has played for Sunderland, Stoke City, Wigan and West Brom. Now at Wrexham, you can spot him on ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ – the football documentary series on Disney+.

James McLean, Footballer for Republic of Ireland and one of the nine autistic role models.

James has a daughter who is autistic. He noticed ways that he was similar to her and went for a diagnosis. After being diagnosed, he went public because he wanted to show his daughter that being autistic should “never hold her back from reaching her goals and dreams.”

2. Greta Thunberg: Climate Activist

Greta inspires people around the world to care more about our dying planet. She says her autism is a super power and answered critics by saying “When haters go after your looks and differences … you know you’re winning.”

Profile picture of Greta Thunberg, Climate Activist and perhaps the most famous autistic person on the planet.

Greta has been nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize. That is an incredible for anyone, but even more impressive because Greta is only in her early 20s.

3. Guy Martin: TT Rider & Record Breaker

Guy Martin is a motorbike rider, who has also written books and presented TV shows. One of them was the Channel 4 programme, Worlds Fastest Tractor, where he broke the World Record for driving a Tractor at 153 mph. Guy Martin is autistic. Unfortunately, he’s quoted as describing his diagnosis as ‘a load of tripe.’ The problem with these words are that, in news stories about him, we don’t always get told what he said next:

“The way I look at it is that maybe having that is why I am the way I am. Maybe that is all down to the autistic side. I don’t know.

“If there are any benefits to having it, it’s that you just get your head down and get on with things. I apply that to the way I work.”

Guy Martin, motorbike rider and an autistic role model.

It sounds like Guy is someone who accepts his diagnosis but prefers it to be just part of him, rather than let it define or limit him.

4. Jessica-Jane Applegate: Champion Swimmer

As a British Paralympic swimmer, Jessica-Jane won gold and silver medals in the Tokyo Olympics. She’s also collected gold, silver and bronze medals in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games.

Jessica-Jane was diagnosed with autism at nursery and found swimming was a great way of relaxing at the end of the school day.

Jessica-Jane Applegate, paralympic swimmer and one of the nine autistic role models.

She also has a popular TikTok account that is full of videos about swimming, fitness and cats.

5. Chris Packham: TV Presenter

As both a presenter and wildlife lover, Chris has educated and entertained audiences for 40 years. Chris was diagnosed with Aspergers, a form of autism back in his 20s (so between 1981 and 1991) and believes that, since getting his diagnosis his life has been wonderful.

Chris Packham, wildlife presenter and one of the nine autistic role models.

6. Susan Boyle: Singer

Singing sensation Susan Boyle first won fans on Britain’s Got Talent and was a runner up in the final. She’s since released chart topping hits, sung with some of the top names in showbiz including Madonna, Micheal Ball and even Peter Kaye.

Susan was diagnosed with Asperger’s as an adult, her journey reminds us to never give up on what we love.

Susan Boyle, singer and one of the nine autistic role models.

7 & 8. Elliott Garcia and Bruno: A Voice Actor and a Cartoon Character

Voiced by Elliott, a nine year old autistic boy, Bruno the Brake Car is an autistic character in Thomas the Tank Engine TV stories. Bruno loves schedules and routines and even has his own cloudy ear defenders.

Bruno the Brake Car - a character from Thomas the Tank Engine who is autistic. Also shown is Elliot, a young autistic boy who voices the character.

On the show, Bruno’s job is to slow trains down if they hit danger. But, more generally, he introduces young kids to autism and helps them to learn acceptance.

Elliott, on the other hand, is one of the few 9 year olds to have his own IMDB page listing his acting credits. He auditioned and was chosen from all the hopefuls to lend his voice to Bruno.

9. Mel Sykes: TV & Radio Presenter

Mel Sykes says that getting her diagnosis was “fantastic really because it does make sense of a lot of things. I’m a very sensitive person, I care about the truth and facts.” She also challenges the view that autistic people don’t have empathy “That’s not all autistic people… I have great empathy for other people, I’m so sensitive to other people’s needs (and sometimes more than myself).”

Mel was diagnosed as autistic in 2021.

Mel Sykes, TV and Radio presenter and one of the nine autistic role models.

Pro-Football Update (01/10/2024)

There’s a stream of pro-footballers who are being more open about their autism. This includes Greg Halford (a defender who’s played for Cardiff, Sheffield United, Notts Forest, and Brighton) who talked about his autism in November 2023.

John O’Kane, who is now retired from the game, has spoken and written about his autism. John played alongside the likes of David Beckham and Gary Neville at Man Utd.

In the women’s game, it also includes Safia Middleton-Patel, Man Utd goalie.

The topic of pro-footballers and autism also includes footballers who have spoken about autism in their family, including:

Others who are Claimed to be Autistic Role Models

There are others who Google results suggest are autistic. However, there is often no proof. For example, you can find many articles that claim that Bill Gates, boss of Microsoft, is autistic. However, he’s never said that he is autistic and it’s not the internet’s job to diagnose him.

A second example is the inventor of Pokemon, Satoshi Tajiri. I found no evidence that he is autistic, only people saying they think he is. There’s no interview, nor is there proof from any trustworthy sources.

We can raise awareness of autism without speculating on the medical history of the rich and famous. This is not an article that points at anyone and decides they seem socially awkward and so must be autistic. That’s one reason why this article was written – so that you have an accurate list.

Perhaps the rules on speculation are more relaxed if people are long dead (e.g. Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin), but if people are living or recently departed, we should not speculate.

Which brings us to Tim Burton… Is he an autistic role model?

Filmmaker Tim Burton is included on some lists of successful autistic people. His former wife, actress Helena Bonham Carter, said she thinks he’s autistic, but there’s no confirmation that he is. It’s not on his website timburton.com and we couldn’t find any reliable source to back up the claim that he identifies as autistic. So, let’s not speculate that he is autistic just because he is they’re famous.

Tim Burton, with posters of some of hs films in the background. Tim is not confirmed to be autistic.

Autistic Role Models of the Future?

These characters are great role models for autistic youngsters – including those who are just discovering their diagnosis. Maybe they can inspire our autistic youngsters to go onto great things and become role models themselves in future.

In the meantime, let’s all try harder to embrace diversity and celebrate the incredible potential within every one of us.

And, let’s also try to avoid guessing which famous people have autism.

Where you can check our claims about these Autistic Role Models:

More Great Reads

Nine Successful People who are Dyslexic Role Models
Can someone with autism or ADHD join the armed forces?
An inspiring teacher: Boo Spurgeon and her powerful legacy

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    With 25 years as an educator and school leader in mainstream and SEND settings, Aaron is the driving force behind 9000lives.

    Aaron has been published in various publications on inclusion, SEND and leadership topics. He has also been a governor for 16 years.

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