History
In 1988, what movie was released that revolved around the story of an autistic savant, Raymond Babbitt, portrayed by Dustin Hoffman.
What is Rain Man. This movie increased public awareness about autism spectrum disorder, but it also generated a stereotype regarding the abilities of people with autism.
What comedian, singer, actor and screenwriter, known for his roles in Blues Brother and Ghostbuster— told Daily Mail that he was diagnosed with Asperger’s (a term for a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder that we no longer use)
Who is Dan Aykroyd. He cheerfully credited his diagnosis with being responsible for his huge hit, Ghostbusters:
"One of my symptoms included my obsession with ghosts and law enforcement—I carry around a police badge with me, for example. I became obsessed by Hans Holzer, the greatest ghost hunter ever. That’s when the idea of my film Ghostbusters was born."
This is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competition in 30+ Olympic-type sports for over 4 million athletes in 207 countries.
What is Special Olympics. It is a global sports movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability.
This show follows Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism, who has savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join the surgical unit at the prestigious San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital
What is the Good Doctor. This show has faced a lot of backlash, with critics noting that until the final season, none of the writers, cast, or consultants were autistic.
In what decade did the U.S. Congress pass legislation to include autism in the category of education disability
What is 1990. This helped individuals with autism qualify for special education.
This Swedish environmental activist who gained global attention in 2018 for starting the Fridays for Future shared that she was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at age 12 (a term now just refereed to as autism spectrum disorder).
Who is Greta Thunberg. At age 15, she began a solo school strike outside the Swedish parliament to pressure governments to address climate change and social issues.
What organization located in Virginia and more than a dozen states is a leading service provider and employer for individuals with disabilities, serving more than 35,000 people annually
What is Service Source. They employee more than 3,900 people annually with more than 100 contract operations nationwide. Fun fact, the recreational therapists and social workers of senior services are employed by Service Source!
This reality tv show is about seven adults with autism going into a dating group to explore the unpredictable world of romance, tackling misconceptions about both themselves and how they want to live.
What is Love on the Spectrum. You can watch the show on Netflix which has 3 seasons so far. It has won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards.
The DSM-5 combined all the subcategories of autism into a single diagnostic entity called what?
What is autism spectrum disorder. This was done to address inconsistencies in the criteria used in diagnosis.
The first NASCAR driver to openly share that he has autism
Who is Armani Williams. He partners with the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism to provide essential assistance to autism serving organizations that are developing or expanding existing travel and/or transportation programs for the autism community.
This is the name of the oldest American Autism organization that nationally serves over half a million people per year.
What is the Autism Society. It was founded in 1965 by Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., and Ruth C. Sullivan, Ph.D, who also became the organization’s first elected president. In honor of her son, Joseph, Ruth devoted her life and work to Autism, contributing to significant advancements in disability policy and inclusion
This children's show revealed a groundbreaking puppet designed to promote understanding and acceptance of autism, particularly among young children.
What is Sesame Street. Introduced in 2015, Julia is a young girl with bright red hair and green eyes who experiences the world differently, often described by friends as doing things in a "Julia sort of way"
What year was the The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed into law?
What is 1990. The ADA is a landmark civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, schools, transportation, and public/private spaces. It ensures equal rights and opportunities, covering, among others, access to buildings, employment, and digital accessibility.
This actor known for their roles in The Last of Us and Game of Thrones, recently shared their autism diagnosis.
Who is Bella Ramsey. While shooting The Last of Us in Canada, a crew member with an autistic daughter assumed Ramsey might be autistic too. This moment sparked Ramsey’s decision to seek a formal psychiatric assessment, leading to their diagnosis
This organization was founded in 1998 by Robert and Paola Pizzano. They created this fund to honor their son's love of water and provide water safety education for children with disabilities
The Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund (JPMF).They created this 501(c) (3) organization after their 6 year old son Joey drowned.
This drama miniseries written by BAFTA Award winner Peter Bowker is about members of the Hughes family who have communication problems with 5-year-old son Joe that leads to a diagnosis of autism. They must pull together and learn to better communicate to understand the boy's condition.
What is The A Word. BBC One began airing the first six-part series in a Tuesday 9pm slot on 22 March 2016. Sundance TV acquired rights for broadcasting the show in America, and it premiered there on 13 July 2016. It had a total of three series and they were all released on BBC iPlayer on 5 May 2020
What is the name of the first person diagnosed with autism?
Who is Donald Triplett. In October 1938 Triplett was examined by Austrian child psychiatrist Leo Kanner at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Triplett was later referred to as Case 1, Donald T.
This Canadian singer, songwriter, producer, and artist who used to date Elon Musk shared that she was diagnosed with autism
Who is Grimes. "Got diagnosed w adhd/ autism this year," Grimes posted on X March 22 2025 followed by "and realized I'm prob dyslexic which is why I can't spell at all without spellcheck."
This organization was founded in 1998 by former NFL and Boston College Quarterback Doug Flutie and his wife, Laurie.
What is the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. After their son Doug, Jr. was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, they wanted to ensure that other families had opportunities for support and access to services.
This Pixar short film features a story of a non-verbal girl with autism and a chatty boy, who are partnered on a canoeing trip. To complete their journey across an urban lake, they must both learn how the other experiences the world.
What is Loop. Released in 2020, this American animated drama short film was directed and written by Erica Milsom with the story being written by Adam Burke, Matthias De Clercq and Milsom, produced by Pixar Animation Studios, and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.