(ADHD) Norm deviants as stars in the great arts
ADHD/autism is often seen as a barrier, but for many artists, it's the driving force behind their creativity. Five successful talents demonstrate how neurodiversity drives genius in the "5 major arts."
Stephen Wiltshire, a London-born artist , is best known for his incredible ability to draw intricate cityscapes from memory, often after just a quick glance. This earned him the nickname "the human camera." Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, his insular artistic talent was evident from an early age. His first words were "paper" and "pencil," until his teachers finally took away his art supplies to encourage him to speak. Since then, he has received worldwide recognition for his panoramic drawings of cities such as New York, London, and Tokyo. In two experiments, he drew detailed panoramic views of London and Rome after flying over them .
Actor Ryan Gosling ("Drive," " Blade Runner 2049," "La La Land" ) was diagnosed with ADHD as a child after experiencing behavioral problems at school and struggling to concentrate. Due to these issues, his mother decided to withdraw him from school and homeschool him. This decision enabled him to overcome his academic challenges while pursuing his passion for acting. At just 12 years old, Gosling won an audition for The Mickey Mouse Club , which launched his successful career as a world-renowned actor. His ADHD diagnosis and troubled childhood had a strong impact on his career and helped him bring a lot of intensity and energy to his roles with minimal facial expressions.
Tim Ferriss is an American author, entrepreneur, and podcaster , known for his bestselling book The 4-Hour Workweek . Born in New York in 1977, he studied East Asian studies at Princeton University and later founded the company BrainQUICKEN, which launched him into the world of entrepreneurship. His book, published in 2007, promoted the concept of "lifestyle designs" and motivated many people to increase their work efficiency to gain more free time. Ferriss has spoken openly about his struggles with mental health challenges, including ADHD, depression, and bipolar disorder. 
Adam Levine, frontman of the band Maroon 5 ( "This Love" ), has spoken openly about his ADHD diagnosis, which caused him difficulties both in his youth and later as an adult. Levine was diagnosed with ADHD as a teenager after expressing difficulty concentrating in school. Even as an adult, he found that his ADHD symptoms affected his career, particularly when writing and recording songs. However, with medical help, he learned to cope. Levine used his platform to raise awareness of ADHD and help others affected by the condition through campaigns like Own It .
Daniella Karagach, a professional dancer and choreographer on Dancing with the Stars , was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of six. Her mother decided not to medicate her and instead introduced her to dance. Karagach says that dance helped her focus better—and even improved her academic performance. Despite her single mother's financial difficulties, this art form became a positive turning point in her life. Today, Karagach has built a successful international dance career.