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  • Essay / An attempt to discover autism in the personality of Albert Einstein

    A great mystery to contemplate is whether Albert Einstein was autistic. Einstein was never diagnosed. The diagnosis itself was not developed until the decade before his death, but Einstein exhibited many of the traits of autism. However, many people believe that Einstein was just an eccentric genius and that his intelligence made it difficult to relate to others. If, as some researchers believe, Einstein was autistic, the question arises as to whether his genius was such because of or despite his potential disability. Science has long attracted people with autistic traits, provoking the idea that he was attracted to science because the thought patterns necessary for scientific endeavors are highly compatible with autistic mindsets. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayAutism affects everyone differently. In 2012, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was identified in 1 in 68 eight-year-olds, according to the CDC. The CDC reports that autism occurs approximately 4.5 times more often in men than in women, with a typical percentage of the affected population falling between 1% and 2% in Europe, Asia, and North America. There is no known cause, but the CDC says many scientists suspect some genetic risk factors. Reports from the CDC indicate that research has shown a higher risk of ASD in children born to older parents. However, contrary to popular belief, research conducted by the CDC shows that vaccines have no correlation with ASD. Autistic people generally have more difficulty in social situations. Many people on the spectrum struggle to understand their motivations and social cues. Body language is difficult for autistic people to notice and understand. People with autism tend to have difficulty making friends and interacting with others. Some autistic people develop their cognitive abilities more slowly. Autism tends to manifest itself through fixations. Autistic people tend to take hold of a topic and explore it fully, often eagerly sharing their findings repetitively. They struggle with humor, often taking jokes as literal. All autistic people share some of these traits, but not all and not in the same way. Einstein had some of these traits. He did not speak until he was three years old and was not fluent until he was ten. Einstein went from not speaking at all to speaking in full, often repetitive sentences. This is an autistic way of learning: not demonstrating abilities until a baseline level of ability is established. Some people on the spectrum will refuse to recognize a skill, like reading or speaking, until they feel they can do it decently. There was a time when Einstein spoke his sentences in a low voice, then repeated them louder to whomever he was speaking to. As a child, Einstein had no friends. He was a loner who tended to ignore social conventions, such as respect for teachers. He did not show care in his appearance, often dressing sloppily. He was intensely focused on previous scientific topics. Einstein exhibited many of the more subtle nuances of autism. On the other hand, Einstein had a good sense of humor. He traveled the world after receiving his Nobel Prize, interacting with his admirers. As an adult, he had friends, among whom he took time, despite 1921.