Jerry Seinfeld is getting the ovation of his life for disclosing that he may have autism. Advocates for people with the complex mental-health condition are praising the New York comedian for publicizing his struggles with social interaction — one of the hallmarks of autism spectrum disorder — and casting it in a positive light.
“I think, on a very drawn-out scale, I think I'm on the spectrum,” Seinfeld told
NBC Nightly News in an interview with Brian Williams on Friday.
"Basic social engagement is really a struggle. I'm very literal, when people talk to me and they use expressions, sometimes I don't know what they're saying," he said. "But I don't see it as dysfunctional, I just think of it as an alternate mindset."
Autism advocates said Seinfeld's revelation could help destigmatize the condition by sending a positive message that people with the disorder are more numerous and diverse than many people believe.
Ari Ne’eman, president of the Autistic Advocacy Network, said there is still a tremendous amount of stigma surrounding autism that hinders the opportunities available to those with the condition.
"Think about what this does for a closeted autistic person who goes into the workplace knowing that their co-workers have just seen somebody they know, respect, and have a positive opinion of, like Jerry Seinfeld, identify in this way — it’s a valuable and important step in building a greater tolerance for autism," Ne’eman said.
Liz Feld, president of Autism Speaks, added that "there are many people on the autism spectrum who can relate to Jerry’s heartfelt comments about his own experiences."
But Wendy Fournier, president of the National Autism Association, cautioned that Seinfeld's comments run the risk of oversimplifying autism disorder and the very serious effects it can have on those with sever causes. Fournier's 14-year-old daughter has autism who needs around-the-clock care.
"We have to continue to make people aware of what the spectrum of autism is," said Tonia Ferguson of the Autism Society.
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