According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in 68 children in the United States has autism spectrum disorder. The condition doesn’t discriminate based on social or economic status, and doesn’t care if a parent is rich and famous. Find out which celebrities are the parents of children with autism, and learn what they’re doing to spread awareness.
1. Sylvester Stallone
Action superstar Sylvester Stallone’s youngest son Seargeoh was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3 after experiencing difficulty communicating. Though Stallone and Seargeoh’s mother grieved the diagnosis and searched for a cure, Stallone also once told his other son, “God and nature made him different. We have to accept Seargeoh the way he is and understand that his way is just more quiet and reserved.” In 1990, Stallone also filmed a PSA about autism.
2. Tommy Hilfiger
Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and his wife Dee are the proud parents of two children on the autism spectrum. The couple is very active in the autism community. As he told NY Daily News in 2012, “The government is not involved in it. People aren’t donating enough money. There’s not enough research….It needs help, so we’ve become involved.”
3. Holly Robinson Peete
Former 21 Jump Street star Holly Robinson Peete’s son R.J. is on the autism spectrum. After their son’s diagnosis, Holly and her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, created the HollyRod Foundation to provide support for people with autism and Parkinson’s disease.
4. Gary Cole
Actor Gary Cole’s daughter, Mary has autism. Cole and his wife believe that parents of children with autism should start therapies early, and they advocate that all parents look for signs and symptoms of autism. “Seek answers,” he said, “and the earlier the better.”
5. Doug Flutie
Former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie’s son, Doug Flutie Jr., has autism. He was diagnosed when he was 2-years-old. In 1998, the autism dad created the Flutie Foundation, a grant-based organization that, among other things, provides autism support to families in need.
6. Joe Mantegna
Veteran stage and screen actor Joe Mantegna’s daughter, Mia has autism. Born premature, she was ultimately diagnosed after exhibiting problems with speech and attention span as a toddler. Mantegna and his wife are open about sharing their daughter’s diagnosis with others, as it creates understanding. As for Mia herself? As of 2012, she was a makeup artist for Inclusion Films.
7. Toni Braxton
Singer Toni Braxton’s son Diesel has autism. After Diesel’s diagnosis at the age of 3, Braxton began advocating for early detection. She has also wrestled with feelings of guilt over her son’s diagnosis. “As a parent you always feel, was there something I could have done differently[?]” she said. “But what I’ve come to understand…is there is nothing wrong with our babies, and it’s nothing you’ve done or could have done differently, it’s just what the situation is.”
8. Jacqueline Laurita
Jacqueline Laurita, star of “The Real Houswives of New Jersey,” became active in the autism community after her son Nicholas’s diagnosis. She shares details of Nicholas’s journey to help other families dealing with autism. She and her husband strongly believe autism is nothing to be ashamed of: “Nicholas is our son, and we are proud of him,” she wrote. “We are not ashamed of him or the diagnosis. We don’t ever want him to feel ashamed, either.”
9. John Travolta and Kelly Preston
Travolta and Preston’s late son, Jett lived with autism, though they did not admit it due to their religious beliefs. Not until after the 16-year-old’s tragic death in 2009, which happened after a seizure-induced blow to the head.
10. Will Clark
Former Major League Baseball all-star first baseman Will Clark’s son Trey is on the autism spectrum with Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Clark used baseball to bond with his son. He said, “[Trey] loves the sport and works at it every day.” Like father like son, I guess!
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FAQs
Celebrity Autism Parents: Actors and Actresses
- Sylvester Stallone – Seargeoh Stallone, the second son born to the writer, director, and star of Rocky and Rambo, was diagnosed with autism in 1982 at three years of age. ...
- John Travolta & Kelly Preston – Jett Travolta was the eldest son of the Hollywood power couple.
1. Elon Musk. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is one of the most well-known figures in modern technology. What many people don't know is that he has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, which is a form of autism.
Which actor has three autistic children? ›
Paddy McGuinness and his wife Christine have three children, eight year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and five year-old Felicity.
Who was case #1 of autism? ›
Donald Gray Triplett (September 8, 1933 – June 15, 2023) was an American banker known for being the first person diagnosed with autism. He was first diagnosed by Leo Kanner in 1943, and was labeled as "Case 1".
Which singer has autism? ›
Singer Sia publicly discussed her autism diagnosis in a recent podcast. Her attempts to hide her condition could fit into an unconscious strategy known as “autism masking.” Masking, along with being diagnosed at a later age, can have mental health implications.
What female celebrity has autism? ›
Pop icon Sia (real name: Sia Kate Isobelle Furler) recently opened up about her autism diagnosis, saying on the Rob Has A Podcast podcast: "I'm on the spectrum." Although Sia did not share when exactly she was diagnosed with autism, she hinted that this was a recent development.
Who is the longest living autistic person? ›
Sadly, Donald Triplett passed away at the age of 89 from cancer on June 15, 2023. He holds the distinction of being the longest-living person known to be autistic. His life and journey continue to contribute to the understanding and awareness of autism spectrum disorder.
What actress has an autistic husband? ›
For viewers who have followed along with Schumer's life, parallels can be drawn while watching her character and her new husband navigate an ASD diagnosis. Schumer's real-life husband, Chris Fischer, received his own ASD diagnosis after they wed in 2018.
Does Sheldon Cooper have autism? ›
Sheldon Cooper – The Big Bang Theory. Dr. Sheldon Cooper does not have an official diagnosis of autism, but he demonstrates many traits associated with autism spectrum disorder, specifically the outdated diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome. In the show, he says he's “not crazy,” and his mother had him tested.
What celebrity has autistic twins? ›
Paddy McGuinness
English comedian, comedy actor and television personality Paddy McGuinness has four year old twins who were diagnosed with autism two years ago.
Global Trends in Autism Prevalence
Autism prevalence rates have been increasing worldwide over the past few decades. However, it's important to note that these increases can be attributed to various factors, including improved awareness, changes in diagnostic criteria, and better data collection methods.
Who was the autistic woman murdered by parents? ›
— The parents of a non-verbal autistic woman were sentenced to 40 years in prison with 20 years of the sentence suspended following a manslaughter conviction after their daughter's body was found in inhuman conditions and had “melted” into the couch.
How old do autistic adults live? ›
They then compared these groups with people of the same age and sex, who had not been diagnosed as autistic. The researchers found that autistic men without a learning disability had an average estimated life expectancy of 74.6 years, and autistic women without a learning disability, around 76.8 years.
Who is more likely to have a child with autism? ›
Older men and women are more likely than young ones to have a child with autism, according to multiple studies published in the past decade. Especially when it comes to fathers, this parental-age effect is one of the most consistent findings in the epidemiology of autism.
Will an autistic father have an autistic child? ›
While there is a genetic component to autism, the risk of having an autistic child is not significantly higher for parents who are themselves on the autism spectrum. Research has shown that the vast majority of autistic children are born to parents who do not have autism.
Can someone with autism have a normal child? ›
Yes, autistic people can have kids.
Parents with autism may need extra support and resources in order to provide appropriate care for their children, but studies show that they are capable of raising healthy, happy families.
Who has autism in parenthood? ›
Overview: Parenthood is a six season series that chronicles the ups and downs in the lives of the four Braverman siblings and their own families. Adam and Kristina, the oldest of the bunch, find out in the first season that their son Max has Asperger's.
