Was MJ Autistic?

Was MJ Autistic?

Love him or hate him, no one can dispute that the late Michael Jackson was loaded with talent. But his limited social abilities have led at least one doctor to speculate as to whether Jackson might have had Autism.

Since his sudden death on June 25, 2009, at 50, the world has speculated on the nature of Michael Jackson’s indisputable genius and his strange and solitary private life. One doctor, who refuses to reveal his identity, says that Michael’s unique abilities and awkward social skills were due to Autism.
Abnormal Intensity

The anonymous physician was called to Jackson’s Las Vegas hotel room back in 2003 for an unrelated condition. While examining Jackson, the doctor noted that, “the singer displayed classic signs of autism, the brain development disorder of which symptoms include poor social interaction and communication, abnormal intensity or focus, severe insomnia and unusual eating habits.”



Some reports about the deceased singer suggest Jackson may have had a mild case of autism or was an Autistic Savant who achieves expertise or brilliance in one area in spite of profound developmental disorders. High-functioning autistic people can lead active lives but display some odd social behaviors.

Jackson was a well-known recluse. He was uncomfortable when forced to interact with others. It was rare for him to give interviews and though he could read at length from a script, said no more than a few words during acceptance speeches.

Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records said that Jackson had “two personalities.” When Gordy spoke at the singer’s memorial he said, “Offstage he was shy, soft spoken and childlike, but when he took the stage in front of his screaming fans, he turned into another person; a master, a take-no-prisoner showman.”

As an adult, Jackson preferred the company of children. This became apparent beginning in 1984 when Jackson came to the Grammy’s carrying his guest, 12 year-old Emmanuel Lewis. His friendship with Macaulay Culkin was well-publicized, he was often seen with children, and was known to host sleepovers for children in his home where the star would screen Disney films and play computer games with his young friends.

This propensity to befriend children rather than adults fits in well with the fact that autistic people find it hard to form friendships. This in combination with his strange social ideas, such as covering the faces of his children when out in public, might have been symptoms of autism.

Another hallmark of autism is an intense focus on specific and narrow interests. Vincent Paterson director of some of Jackson’s music videos spoke of watching Michael, “rehearse a dance sequence for four hours in front of a mirror until it felt like second nature. That’s how he developed the moonwalk, working on it for days if not weeks until it was organic. He took an idea that he had seen some street kids do and perfected it.” (“Pop Icon, Michael Jackson is Dead,” New York Times, June 26, 2009)
Carrot Addiction

Experts say that autistic people can develop strange eating patterns such as eating only one type of food. Jackson was a vegetarian and big brother Tito once spoke about Michael’s addiction to carrots. He said Michael ate so many carrots his hands turned orange.

Michael also suffered from insomnia, a common symptom of autism. “Michael Jackson was so distraught over persistent insomnia in recent months that he pleaded for a powerful sedative despite warnings it could be harmful, says a nutritionist who was working with the singer…” (“Michael Jackson was so Distraught over Insomnia that he Begged for Powerful Drug”, Huffington Post, June 30, 2009)

Was the magic of Michael the result of 45 years of hard work, or was it due to Autism?