Before the 20th century, nobody really took mental health problems or neurodevelopmental disorders as a serious issue. Everybody who had such a condition tended to be lumped into one group, and, unfortunately, did not receive very much (if any) helpful treatment. In fact, it wasn't until the 1940s that medical professionals began separating autism from other neurodivergent conditions, and recognized it as a developmental disorder rather than a mental health problem. And, even after that, it took a long time for scientists to really understand what autism is and how it manifests itself in different people. Today, we have a better idea of the condition, but there are still tons of misconceptions floating about. Fortunately, some individuals with autism have taken the initiative to give us their perspective on things, helping to remove the stigma and educate the majority of people who don't have first-hand experience of the condition. And nobody gives a better explanation than George Yionoulis, a nine-year-old from North Carolina. After his teacher set him the task of making a presentation to educate his classmates on autism, George went a step further and made a whole video about himself. He starts with a simple introduction: "Hi everybody, my name is George. Sometimes I go by Geo, or - when I'm laying down phat beats - you can call me DJ GeoYio." The fourth-grader then goes on to detail his talents and hobbies, particularly drawing, dancing, and music (and, if you watch the video, you'll see he really does have some amazing skills). And then he drops the bombshell: "I have this thing called autism." Despite seeming very confident in the video, George confesses that he didn't start speaking until he was three, and sometimes he finds it difficult to make eye contact. He also explains that sometimes he might take a little while to respond to a question because he is hyper-sensitive to other noises around him, and that conversations with an autistic person could sometimes be interpreted the wrong way because the condition makes some people take things literally. "Sometimes he'll go over the top responding to something or he'll get upset in class and other kids don't necessarily know how to deal with it," George's mom, Lisa Jolley, said. "It takes him longer to process information -- to see the big picture. Why should I be quiet? Why do I have to sit for so long while class is going? What we try and illustrate is that he has so much in his head." When George was first diagnosed with the condition, she didn't quite know how to deal with it. "Everything you planned for goes out the window," she explained. "But now I realize it's not out the window, it's just shifted. It's in another part of your house." As for George's video, he never expected it to reach as many people as it already has. Currently, it's been viewed more than 40,000 times! "It's amazing to see how many people it has touched," Lisa said. "And his class loved it. They have been, according to his teacher, been taking it to heart and having more patience with him." George concludes the video by saying, "Thank you for hearing all about me and my adventures with autism." And if you want to hear them too, you can check out the video here: [[youtubewidget||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIK2yXfrCfw#action=share]]

Elon Musk revealed to Saturday Night Live viewers that he has Asperger's syndrome during his stint hosting the iconic show.

The SpaceX founder proudly made the revelation during his opening monologue on the legendary sketch show.

"I'm actually making history tonight as the first person with Asperger's to host SNL," the billionaire said, as the audience started to applaud and cheer.

Musk then quipped: "Or, at least, the first to admit it."

Watch Elon Musk proudly make the revelation in the video below:

Forbes reports that it is the first time Musk has publicly revealed he has the condition.

Per Healthline, Asperger's is a form of autism that currently falls under the umbrella diagnosis of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

It is considered to be a high-functioning form of autism, and can be characterized by an above-average intelligence, a first-person focus, along with various other emotional and behavioral symptoms.

The symptoms of Asperger's will affect people differently from person to person.

After making the honest revelation on the show, viewers took to Twitter to praise the guest host.

"Elon Musk just crushing. And admitting proudly he has Aspergers. Good on you Elon," one viewer wrote.

A second added: "The announcement by Elon Musk saying that he has Aspergers Syndrome is such a great influence for me. If he didn’t have this gift he would not be where he is today. The man is a genius!"

And a third viewer tweeted: "As a fellow Aspie, the fact that Elon Musk said he has Aspergers while hosting SNL is huge and such a powerful moment."

However, per Forbes, Musk isn't actually the first person with Asperger's to host Saturday Night Live.

Former SNL cast member Dan Aykroyd hosted the show back in 2003, and has previously opened up about his own experiences with Asperger's to The Guardian in 2014.

Aykroyd admitted that his "very mild Asperger’s" has helped him creatively, saying: "I sometimes hear a voice and think: 'That could be a character I could do.'

"Of course there are many different grades, right up to the autism spectrum, and I am nowhere near that. But I sympathize with children who have it."

Featured image credit: Alex Mateo / Alamy

One of the most prevalent myths when it comes to autism is the belief that it is a form of mental illness. There is much debate on the classification of autism among psychiatrists, doctors and neurologists. Officially, autism is generally accepted as a mental condition, rather than an illness, and many autistic people consider the implication that autism is a disease offensive. For example, the activist organisation Autism Speaks classifies autism as "a group of complex disorders of brain development". What characterises autism? Many people still persist in thinking about people on the autistic spectrum in terms of the genius savants of fiction; colourful and quirky characters such as Dustin Hoffman's portrayal in Rain Man. But the truth is different. Autism is a pervasive, persistent developmental state where an individual struggles with non-verbal communication and social interaction. In particular, some autistics have problems with interpreting language literally and may find metaphors and figures of speech difficult to comprehend. These issues end up manifesting themselves in different ways. For example, some autistics may find speech challenging, develop tics or "stimming" behaviour, find it difficult to hold eye contact or communicate with strangers or dislike physical contact with people or stimuli they find threatening. However, this isn't to say that autistic people don't suffer from mental health issues. On the contrary, in fact: recent research suggests that they might be far more vulnerable than neurotypical people. Since autistics are already unfairly stigmatised in society as a result of their condition, this news is very concerning indeed. A recent study entitled "Health Concerns and Health Service Utilisation in a Population Cohort of Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder", published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders in September of this year, determined that young adults on the autism spectrum were far likelier to have been diagnosed with one or more psychiatric condition, (including depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) than neurotypicals or those who had other developmental disabilities. The study examined administrative data from the medical and psychiatric records of young adults aged between 18-24 who had autism. Researchers then compared this with the health profiles of their peers who lived without autism. The study determined that autistic people were approximately five times more likely to have a diagnosed mental health issue on their record than neurotypical individuals, and were also twice as likely to suffer from a mental health issue compared to people with alternative developmental disabilities. Commenting on her discovery, Yona Lunsky (a senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto), who co-authored the study, stated: "When it comes to mental health diagnoses and use of psychiatric services, there's a really strong need for the entire developmental disabilities community, but it's an even bigger need for folks on the autism spectrum ... I think sometimes people will dismiss something as being part of autism when, in fact, it's not. There are people with autism who don't have psychiatric issues. We weren't doing the study to look at mental health. It's just what emerged. Unmet needs have a social cost, so we want to be able to recognise both physical and mental health needs for everyone and get them the right care." Other research appears to correlate with her findings. A 2016 study conducted by the National Institutes of Mental Health compared the rate of mental health issues in approximately 8,300 youths who had been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome (aged three to 17 years old) to around 83,000 control group youths who were not on the spectrum. Patients with autism were more likely to have received a psychiatric diagnosis of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety, depression, or another serious mental illness. Why are autistic people at risk? It could be that physicians and psychiatrists are guilty of conflating an autistic person's behaviour. Things which would be red flags for a mental health issue in neurotypical people might be overlooked by professionals and lumped in as an autistic trait instead of a symptom of something far more debilitating. This issue is thus left unresolved and untreated under the assumption that it is part of their autistic behaviour, and so the issue in question will compound itself until it's either impossible to manage or has adversely affected the patient's life. There is also much speculation that stigmatisation, bullying and social isolation in childhood could lead to these issues; the enormous societal shaming of autistics by neurotypicals, and their unwillingness to understand the intricacies and peculiarities of their behaviour, could well lead to insecurity, social isolation and low self-esteem. This, in turn, means that a person on the spectrum is divorced from a vital support network, and thus stressors bear much more of a negative impact on their mental state. A history of social difficulties, the exhaustion and cognitive fatigue brought about via attempts to navigate social situations and exposure to triggering stimuli are all things which can lead to mental health issues and anxiety. The difficulty autistic people have in finding employment could also lead to them developing mental health issues. According to a survey conducted by the National Autistic Society, only 16 per cent of participants were working full-time, while only 32 per cent of respondents were working at all, compared with the 47 percent of otherwise disabled people and 87 per cent of non-disabled, neurotypical people also surveyed. Autistic people may find it hard to get hired in jobs which require a lot of social interaction and might find making a good impression in a job interview nearly impossible. The fact that so many recruiters seem content to discriminate against autistic people leaves them ultimately jobless: and the inevitable reliance upon welfare benefits can lead to eventual feelings of worthlessness or depression. So how can we ensure that autistic people are protected from mental illness? It's clear that the burden of responsibility lies with society, not with those who were born with a particular condition. The public needs to be educated about autistic people and be made aware of their issues so that we can better distinguish between a mentally healthy autistic person and someone suffering from a mental illness. Finally, we need to do everything we can to ensure that autistic people are accepted and that their struggle is rightfully validated and punish any abuse or discrimination against people who are on the spectrum. Only then will we see any real change.

More celebrities have come forward to reveal their autism diagnoses and speak openly about the signs that led to their discovery.

Grimes is one of the many celebs who revealed their autism diagnosis. Credit: Emma McIntyre / Getty

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that impacts how individuals perceive others and interact socially, often leading to challenges with communication and relationship-building.

Per Mayo Clinic, ASD encompasses several conditions that were previously considered separate diagnoses, including: Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and unspecified pervasive developmental disorders.

Though there is currently no cure for it, early intervention - particularly during the preschool years - can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.

Here are some celebrities who have publicly shared their autism diagnoses:

Bella Ramsey got a diagnosis during filming for The Last of Us. Credit: Rich Polk/Deadline via Getty Images

Bella Ramsey

In March 2025, The Last of Us star revealed in an interview with British Vogue that they were diagnosed with autism while filming the HBO hit.

Ramsey said they always suspected they were autistic but were prompted to seek assessment after a crew member made an observation.

Receiving the diagnosis felt “freeing,” they explained: “It enables me to walk through the world with more grace towards myself about not being able to do the easy everyday tasks that everyone else seems to be able to do.”

They added that while gender and sexuality labels feel restrictive, “the label of being autistic has been helpful,” and that the diagnosis has allowed them to “unmask immediately.”

Grimes

Grimes shared on X in March 2025 that she has both ADHD and autism.

She said if she had known earlier, she would’ve changed how she approached her early life: “I would have worked so much less hard, been on drugs, and so many of the weird obsessions and motivations I had would have been seen as pathological and I could have written off certain things that were very hard for me but I'm glad I over came them."

Elon Musk

Grimes' ex-partner Elon Musk, who is also the father of her children, also shared in 2021 that he has Asperger’s, joking on SNL that his monotone speech “makes for great comedy.”

Tallulah Willis

The daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis opened up about her diagnosis in March 2024 after sharing a childhood video on her Instagram page.

“Found out this summer and it’s changed my life,” she wrote in the comments.

Kanye West has opened up about his diagnosis. Credit: Arnold Jerocki / Getty Images.

Kanye West

The controversial rapper said that he was diagnosed with autism after his wife questioned his previous bipolar diagnosis.

"I went to this doctor… My wife took me to do that because she said, ‘Something about your personality doesn’t feel like it’s bipolar, I’ve seen bipolar before.’ And I’ve come to find that it’s really a case of autism that I have,” he said during an interview.

He said the diagnosis helped him better understand some of his behavioural patterns, such as in 2018 when he wore a cap reading Make America Great Again and praised President Trump.

Holly Madison

In a December 2023 podcast appearance, the former Playboy said she was diagnosed with high-functioning autism.

“I just made excuses for it,” she explained. “I’m just not on the same social wavelength as other people.”

Holly Madison, who dated Hugh Hefner from 2001 until 2008, has high-functioning autism. Credit: J. Merritt/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Others in entertainment have also gone public with their diagnoses:

Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Judge discovered she was “on the spectrum” while in therapy.

“I have a really hard time processing stuff,” she said on her Two Ts in a Pod podcast. “I have a lot of sensory issues - sound, light, touch - but [my therapist] says that is not my biggest problem. My biggest problem is working through trauma that I had in my life.”

Actor Anthony Hopkins, best known for his role in The Silence of the Lambs, said his Asperger’s diagnosis helped explain his creative compulsions and multitasking tendencies.

Wentworth Miller, the Prison Break star, shared in 2021 that being autistic is “central to who I am… to everything I’ve achieved," adding that "access to a diagnosis is a privilege many do not enjoy," and admitting that his diagnosis was "a shock," but "not a surprise," per PEOPLE.

As more stars speak openly about being neurodivergent, they’re helping shift the conversation around autism - from stigma to strength.

Featured image credit: Gregg DeGuire / Getty

A heartwarming video of a boy with Down's Syndrom comforting a classmate with autism has touched hearts all over the world.

The footage was taken by a teacher at a school in Mexico and shows how a young boy tries to console another little boy in distress. He puts his arms around him and strokes his hair in the uplifting clip. The caring child can also be seen wiping away his friend's tears.

Take a look at the touching footage, which was shared to Facebook:

[[facebookwidget||https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2924322517580430]]

The Facebook video has since garnered 145k reactions and 10k comments. It has also been shared on other sites such as Reddit and Twitter, with many users commenting on the child's kind-hearted nature.

One person tweeted: "My nephew has ‘Down’ syndrome. I put that in quotation marks because there is nothing downs about it. I’ve never seen anybody w/ the ability to empathize like he does. These kids truly have the most biggest hearts. They are so pure."

"You’ve never been hugged until you’ve been hugged by a person with Down’s syndrome, they are hugging experts. Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL people that we can all learn from," another agreed.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Facebook / Jalisco oculto]]

And yet another person shared their personal experience of having a family member with Down's Syndrome:

"I have a Down Syndrome brother who is now 61 years old," they said. "He has brought great joy to me, my family and anyone he comes into contact with! He has so much empathy and love for everyone-he’s a mush really!"

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Facebook / Jalisco oculto]]

"Down’s syndrome is not a disease and therefore people with Down’s syndrome do not suffer nor are they victims of their condition," the Down’s Syndrome Association states. Down’s syndrome is only a part of the person, they should not be referred to as ‘a Down’s’."

It continues: "People with Down’s syndrome are all unique individuals and should be acknowledged as a person first and foremost. It is important to think of the person first, e.g. ‘John is 29 and he has Down’s syndrome’."