Bill Gates Reflects on Autism Traits and Neurodiversity in Upcoming Memoir

The Microsoft co-founder shares insights on his childhood challenges and how neurodivergence shaped his success.

Bill Gates reveals in his forthcoming memoir, 'Source Code: My Beginnings,' that he likely would have been diagnosed with autism if he were a child today.
Gates describes childhood behaviors such as intense focus, difficulty with social cues, and repetitive actions, which he now recognizes as consistent with autism spectrum traits.
His parents played a pivotal role in supporting his development, balancing emotional support with challenges to improve his social skills and channel his focus constructively.
Experts note that autism was less understood during Gates’ youth, with broader diagnostic criteria and increased awareness only emerging in recent decades.
Gates emphasizes the value of neurodiversity, crediting his unique cognitive traits for his achievements in technology and innovation.