I have previously attempted to make a case for Aspies potentially being outstanding employees. To further that point, I would like to share a list of exceptional people who very likely had Aspergers. This is not just an Aspie looking through history with Aspie-tinted lenses. Ioan James, author of Asperger’s Syndrome and High Achievement: Some Very Remarkable People has an impressive bibliography and set of references to back him up. His book is truly inspirational to anyone recently diagnosed. Aspergers sufferers generally have well above average IQs (I personally find the definition of intelligence to be lacking, but IQ is as good as any other attempts), and some even reach the definition of genius. Not convinced? Okay, how about if I tell you that Albert Einstein was almost certainly an Aspie, as diagnosed (posthumously) by eminent psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen. On a side note, yes, he is related to Sacha Baron-Cohen (he is his cousin). Among others identified by Ioan James are Isaac Newton, Vincent Van Gough, Andy Warhol, Thomas Jefferson and Bertrand Russell (a hero of mine I might add). So not only do you have some serious giants of maths and science, but also a highly respected philosopher and two of the greatest artists of the western world. Makes being diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome something of a blessing. Need any more reasons why Aspies are not just a drain on society or unsuitable for employment?
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