These 16 Celebrities With Autism Are Opening Up About Life on the Spectrum

Autism is more common than you might know. About 1 in 36 children has autism spectrum disorder, according to the CDC, and that number has been steadily increasing since the org started collecting data in 2000. More adults are being diagnosed with autism too, studies have found, leading to increased awareness and interest in the disorder. TikToks sharing signs of autism in adults and or little-known symptoms rack up millions of views, and more and more celebrities are starting to come forward with their own autism diagnoses (or sharing that their kids are on the autism spectrum).

Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is “a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain,” according to the CDC. There are a wide variety of signs and symptoms, including communication or interaction challenges, restricted or repetitive behaviors, or delays in language, movement, or learning skills. While many people with ASD are diagnosed as children, adults can also be diagnosed (as you’ll see with the celebs ahead).

Because autism exists on a spectrum, people with ASD present symptoms in a wide variety of ways. And with more and more people being diagnosed, awareness and acceptance of ASD is more important than ever, which is why we love that these celebrities are speaking out about their experiences and bucking the lingering stigma that still exists around autism. From pop star Sia to environmental activist Greta Thunberg, keep reading for the stories of celebrities who are sharing their autism experiences.

This article was originally published on sheknows.com.