Latest news with #USNationalInstituteofNeurologicalDisordersandStroke
The Star
3 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Tennis great Monica Seles reveals she has myasthenia gravis
Seles (right) watching one of the 2024 BNP Paribas Open semifinals at Indian Wells, California, US. She recently opened up about her myasthenia gravis three years after being diagnosed. — TNS Monica Seles first noticed the symptoms of myasthenia gravis – a neuromuscular autoimmune disease – while she was swinging a racket the way she'd done so many times during and after a career that included nine Grand Slam titles and a place in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. "I would be playing with some kids or family members, and I would miss a ball. "I was like, 'Yeah, I see two balls.' These are obviously symptoms that you can't ignore,' Seles said. "And, for me, this is when this journey started. "And it took me quite some time to really absorb it, speak openly about it, because it's a difficult one. "It affects my day-to-day life quite a lot.' The 51-year-old, who won her first major trophy at age 16 at the 1990 French Open and played her last match in 2003, said she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis three years ago and is speaking publicly about it for the first time ahead of the 2025 US Open to raise awareness about the disease. The US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke calls it "a chronic neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the voluntary muscles' and "most commonly impacts young adult women (under 40) and older men (over 60) but ... can occur at any age, including childhood'. Seles said she'd never heard of the condition until seeing a doctor and being referred to a neurologist after noticing symptoms such as double vision and weakness in her arms – "just blowing my hair out ... became very difficult,' she said – and legs. "When I got diagnosed, I was like, 'What?!'' said Seles, who is partnering with argenx, an immunology company headquartered in the Netherlands, to promote their Go for Greater campaign. "So this is where – I can't emphasise enough – I wish I had somebody like me speak up about it.' It's been three decades since Seles returned to competition at the 1995 US Open, making it to the final, more than two years after she was attacked by a man with a knife at a tournament in Hamburg, Germany. "The way they welcomed me ... after my stabbing, I will never forget,' she said about the fans in New York. "Those are the moments that stay with you.' She talks about learning to live a "new normal' nowadays and characterised her health as another in a series of life steps that required adapting. "I had to, in tennis terms, I guess, reset – hard reset – a few times. "I call my first hard reset when I came to the US as a young 13-year-old (from Yugoslavia). "Didn't speak the language; left my family. It's a very tough time. "Then, obviously, becoming a great player, it's a reset too, because the fame, money, the attention, changes (everything), and it's hard as a 16-year-old to deal with all that. "Then obviously my stabbing – I had to do a huge reset," she said. "And then, really, being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis: another reset. "But one thing, as I tell kids that I mentor: 'You've got to always adjust. That ball is bouncing, and you've just got to adjust.' "And that's what I'm doing now.' – By Howard Fendrich/AP
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Business Standard
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has Asperger's: What it is, and how it's diagnosed
'Bringing boyfriends home to Dad? Terrifying for the guy, but hilarious for me!' That's how Phoebe Gates, daughter of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, described dating in a recent episode of the podcast Call Her Daddy. She casually revealed her father has Asperger's syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum. Phoebe Gates says dad Bill Gates has Asperger's syndrome 'For the guy, terrifying. For me, it's hilarious because my dad's pretty socially awkward. Like he's said before, he has Asperger's,' Phoebe said, laughing. Bill Gates on being neurodivergent: What he wrote in 'Source Code' While Gates hasn't formally confirmed a diagnosis, he acknowledged in his 2025 memoir Source Code that he likely falls somewhere on the autism spectrum. 'If I were growing up today, I probably would be diagnosed on the autism spectrum,' he wrote. Gates joins others like Elon Musk who have publicly acknowledged their autism. Musk revealed his Asperger's diagnosis on Saturday Night Live in 2021. Other celebrities with autism include scientist Albert Einstein, actor Anthony Hopkins, football player Lionel Messi, rapper Eminem, actor Alia Bhatt. Myth-busting Asperger's: What is it and how is it different from autism? Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, people with Asperger's typically have average or high intelligence, strong language skills, but face challenges in social cues and have intense focus on niche topics. What does being neurodivergent mean? The term 'neurodivergent' refers to brain functioning that differs from the typical standard. It includes people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Gates said he suspected he was neurodivergent when someone asked if he was 'on the spectrum' over 25 years ago. How is Asperger's part of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? According to the CDC, ASD is an umbrella diagnosis that includes various neurodevelopmental conditions. Asperger's, once diagnosed separately, is now considered part of the ASD spectrum, particularly after the 2013 DSM-5 update. History of autism and Asperger's: Who first diagnosed them? Autism was first described in 1943 by Leo Kanner, and Asperger's by Hans Asperger in 1944. Asperger's syndrome was officially added to DSM-IV in 1994 and later folded into ASD with the DSM-5 classification in 2013. Who is most affected by autism and when is it diagnosed? ASD affects people of all genders and races but is more frequently diagnosed in boys. It is typically detected in early childhood, but many high-functioning individuals, including adults like Gates, are diagnosed later. Recognising symptoms of Asperger's syndrome Common symptoms include: Difficulty with social interactions: People with Asperger's appear socially awkward or intense and can seem blunt or overly honest. Repetitive behaviors or routines: They prefer structure and logic over casual conversation Focused interests in specific topics: They thrive in focused environments like tech, academia. Toube with eye contact: They have trouble with eye contact or understanding sarcasm. Sensory sensitivities: They experience sensory sensitivities, like aversion to loud noises or touch. Gates reflected, 'My parents had no guideposts… I could be rude and inappropriate without seeming to notice.' ASD prevalence in India: What research shows According to an April 2024 paper in Indian Pediatrics, about 1 in 68 Indian children is affected by autism. Experts believe the number may be higher due to stigma and poor diagnostic access in rural areas. How is autism diagnosed in India? Costs explained Diagnosis typically involves: Developmental screening Behavioural observation Psychological assessment Estimated costs for autism diagnosis in India: Type of Facility Approximate Cost (INR) Notes Govt hospitals (AIIMS, NIMHANS) ₹500–₹2,000 Subsidised but long wait times Private hospitals/clinics ₹5,000–₹20,000 Comprehensive testing Premium centres ₹15,000–₹50,000+ In-depth evaluation, detailed reports How much does autism therapy cost in India? There is no cure, but therapies can significantly help. Estimated costs include: Behavioural therapy: ₹1,500–₹3,500/session Speech therapy: ₹500–₹1,500/session Occupational therapy: ₹700–₹2,000/session Special education: ₹10,000–₹30,000/month Do vaccines cause autism? What health bodies say No. Global health authorities including WHO, CDC, and India's MoHFW confirm that vaccines do not cause autism. The myth has been debunked by extensive research. Why early detection and awareness matter Asperger's and autism aren't 'disorders' but different ways of experiencing the world. With early diagnosis, understanding, and supportive environments, neurodivergent individuals — like Gates — can thrive.
