There was an interesting show on TV last night, about Egyptian pharoahs, and they mentioned that the pharoah Akhenaten was "possibly autistic". I was wondering, does anyone know of any articles etc that show / suggest where people got that idea? It sounds intriguing.
There is another theory regarding his wife Nefertiti, evidenced primarily by a series of name changes, that she might actually have also been the Pharoah Smenkhare. Hmmmm.....
Either way, they were a pretty interesting couple.
All I know about Akhenaten was that he tried (unsuccessfully) to introduce a new state religion, a kind of sun-worshipping monotheism. "Aten" was the name he gave to the sun god, and the Pharaoh's assumed name "Akenaten" means "it is pleasing to Aten" or something like that.
HTH
I believe Akhenaten had Marfan's Syndrome.
"A hereditary disorder of the connective tissue resulting in abnormally long and thin digits and also frequently in optical and cardiovascular defects".
Abraham Lincoln is also believed to have had Marfan's Syndrome.
One person who officially has Marfan's is the composer John Tavener:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,250136,00.html
When my brother was diagnosed with HFA this year, he was encouraged to seek a diagnosis of Marfan's on the grounds that he's tall and long-fingered. (That's most of my father's family diagnosed then.) So far he hasn't pursued this, because he was tested for Marfan's two years ago (before there was any talk of seeking an autism diagnosis) and the result was negative.
Is there any link between Asperger's and Marfan's?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query...t=Abstract
When I had some heart problems, the cardiologist was screening me for Marfan's. He might have also read on my chart about Asperger's although I do not have any access to my medical records. Abnormal connective tissue could cause a heart defect. ????
I believe Akhenaten had Marfan's Syndrome.
"A hereditary disorder of the connective tissue resulting in abnormally long and thin digits and also frequently in optical and cardiovascular defects".
Abraham Lincoln is also believed to have had Marfan's Syndrome.
Yeah. I heard that one too. People say it's one reason why the art of the period is so distinct. (And why Akhenaten and Lincoln have such similar face shapes.)
Still wondering about autism, because it was suggested in passing on more than one doco, actually.