1
Simone Biles
Olympic gymnast
Simone Biles has shared that she has ADHD and has taken medication for it since childhood. She has also said that ADHD is nothing to be ashamed of.
For kids & families
You're in Great Company.
Lots of amazing, creative, energetic, world-changing people have ADHD brains.
ADHD can bring challenges — but it can also come with creativity, curiosity, humor, and big ideas. Some well-known people have publicly shared that they have ADHD. Others from history are sometimes thought to have had ADHD-like traits. Either way, this is a reminder: you are not alone.
Famous people who have publicly shared they have ADHD
These are people who have talked publicly about having ADHD. They show that ADHD does not stop someone from learning, creating, competing, leading, or doing amazing things.
2
Michael Phelps
Olympic swimmer
Michael Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. Swimming helped him use his energy, build discipline, and become one of the most decorated Olympic athletes in history.
3
Dav Pilkey
Author of Dog Man and Captain Underpants
Dav Pilkey was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a kid. When he got in trouble at school, he often spent time in the hallway drawing and making up stories. Those stories later became books loved by millions of kids.
4
will.i.am
Musician, producer, and creative thinker
will.i.am has spoken about ADHD and creativity. His fast-moving brain has been part of his life as a musician, inventor, and idea person.
5
Trevor Noah
Comedian, author, and television host
Trevor Noah has talked about ADHD as part of how his brain works. His quick thinking, humor, and storytelling have helped him connect with people around the world.
Historical figures sometimes thought to have had ADHD-like traits
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We cannot know for sure whether people from history had ADHD. These examples are only guesses based on stories about their lives and traits people have noticed later.
People sometimes wonder about these historical figures because of traits like intense curiosity, restlessness, unusual learning styles, or many unfinished ideas and projects.
Leonardo da Vinci
Artist, inventor, and thinker
Leonardo da Vinci filled notebooks with ideas, inventions, and questions. Some people wonder whether his curiosity, restlessness, and unfinished projects may have looked a little like ADHD.
Historical guessThomas Edison
Inventor
Thomas Edison was known for experimenting, questioning, and learning in unusual ways. Some people wonder whether his energy and inventive thinking may have reflected ADHD-like traits.
Not a diagnosisAlbert Einstein
Scientist
Albert Einstein is sometimes described as a daydreamer and independent thinker who did not always fit neatly into traditional school expectations. Some people wonder whether he may have had ADHD-like traits, but we cannot know for sure.
Historical guessWhat this means
Having ADHD does not mean everything is easy. And it does not mean someone will automatically become famous. But it does mean a person can have a brain full of imagination, energy, creativity, and possibility. ADHD is only one part of who someone is.
ADHD is not the whole story of who you are. But it can be part of what makes your brain amazing.
Printable poster
Take this home, hang it up, share it.
Download the full "You're in Great Company" poster as a high-resolution image — perfect for classrooms, clinic walls, and bedroom doors.
