Famous Neurodivergent

Individuals
 What Is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is a term used to describe certain differences in the way that
the brain works. It is an umbrella term for a number of differences,
conditions and disorders, often coming with pronounced strengths in some
areas, as well as difficulties in others. These include, but are not limited to:
• ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder);
• autistic spectrum condition (also known as ASC);
• dyslexia;
• dyscalculia – a difficulty in understanding numbers;
• dysgraphia – a difficulty with writing;
• dyspraxia (also known as developmental coordination disorder or DCD) –
an impairment in physical coordination;
• Tourette’s syndrome – a condition characterised by physical and verbal
tics.
 Richard Branson
Richard Branson is a British billionaire and owner
of the Virgin Group. He has also set various world
records, including the fastest ever crossing of the
Atlantic Ocean.
According to Branson, his dyslexia is one of the
keys to his success. Although he reportedly
struggled in school, he found that alternative
strategies, such as visual learning, helped him.
He says that his dyslexia is the reason he learned
how to delegate, making him a successful
business person.

“It’s time we lost the stigma around dyslexia. It is not a

disadvantage; it is merely a different way of thinking.” 1

1
Richard Branson: Dyslexia Is Merely Another Way of Thinking (The Times)
 Simone Biles
Simone Biles is an American gymnast. She has
won seven Olympic medals and is tied as the
most decorated gymnast of all time.
She was pushed to talk about her ADHD when
hackers leaked her private medical records.
ADHD can be seen as both an advantage and a
disadvantage when it comes to sports, as it may
allow an athlete to thrive under pressure and
channel their energy. However, a person with
ADHD may also struggle to focus on sports.

“I want kids to learn that, yes, it’s okay to acknowledge

that you’re good, or even great, at something.” 2

2
Simone Biles on Her GOAT Leotard (Marie Claire)
 Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental
activist, known for her School Strike for Climate
as well as for speaking at the 2018 United
Nations Climate Change Conference. She has
been listed as one of Time’s 100 most influential
people and nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Some people believe that Thunberg’s Autism has
helped her to focus on climate change and to
speak with clarity on the subject, something that
she has been commended for.

“Being different is a gift. It makes me see things from outside

the box. I don’t easily fall for lies, I can see through things.” 3

Greta Thunberg: 16-Year-Old Climate Activist Inspired International Youth Movement (B

BC Newsround)
 will.i.am
William James Adams Jr (known professionally as
will.i.am) is an American musician famous for
being the founding member of the Black Eyed
Peas and for being a judge on The Voice. He also
runs a foundation that provides young people
from low-income families with university
scholarships.
He has said that his ADHD helps him in his
career, because it allows him to think about
several things at once. He also says that music, in
turn, has helped his ADHD.

“For every obstacle, there’s some type of solution.” 4

4
Celebrity Spotlight: Why will.i.am Says ADHD Fuels His Creativity (Understood)
 Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish is an American singer-songwriter. She
has won seven Grammy Awards, two American
Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards,
three Brit Awards and a Golden Globe.
Eilish has been open about her struggles with
mental health, and has spoken publicly about her
Tourette’s syndrome diagnosis. She has said that
she tries to suppress her tics because she does
not want it to define who she is, and recognises
that people treat those with disabilities
differently.

“I’ve always done whatever I want and always been

exactly who I am.” 7

7
Fast-Rising Artist Billie Eilish Shows Pop’s Future Has Arrived (LA Times)
 Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer is an Oscar-winning American
actor, author and producer. She has received
three Oscar nominations, making her one of only
two Black women to have done so. She is famous
for films such as The Help, Hidden Figures and
The Shape of Water.
Spencer had difficulty reading aloud as a child,
but was a strong auditory learner, meaning she
learned well by listening. She is also very good at
puzzles and problem-solving, citing her dyslexia
as the reason for this.

“I was a dyslexic child and am a dyslexic adult; that doesn’t really

mean that you’re not intelligent – it just means that your brain
functions differently.” 6

6
Octavia Spencer on Growing Up with Dyslexia (People)
 Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is an American former
competitive swimmer. With 28 Olympic medals,
23 of which are gold medals, he is the most
decorated and successful Olympic athlete of all
time.
Phelps has publicly discussed how he was told
that he would never be able to focus on anything
because of his ADHD, but found solace and focus
in sport.

“There are always going to be obstacles that come in

your way, stay positive.” 9

9
4 Michael Phelps Quotes to Keep You Motivated (Swimming World)
 Cher
Cher is an American singer, actor and television
personality also known for being an advocate for
LGBTQ+ rights and for neurodivergent children.
She is one of the world’s best-selling music
artists and has won a Grammy, an Emmy, an
Academy Award and three Golden Globes.
Cher has spoken about her dyslexia, saying that
she always struggled with reading and making
sense of numbers, but did not get an official
diagnosis until adulthood, when her son was
diagnosed as dyslexic.

“If you’re waiting for someone to believe in you, you’ll

be waiting forever. You must believe in yourself.” 8

8
Cher Quotes (quotefancy)