Ahmir Thompson Discloses Adult Autism, ADHD Testing
The Roots drummer said he sought autism and ADHD testing as an adult and urged others to consider getting assessed.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Autism
Ahmir Thompson, known as Questlove, disclosed that he decided about a year and a half before November 4, 2026, to get tested for autism and ADHD. He revealed the decision on the November 4 episode of the podcast IMO, hosted by Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, without sharing test results or whether he received a diagnosis.
Why it matters
Thompson's disclosure adds a high-profile voice to adult conversations about autism and ADHD assessment. Recalling childhood traits that set him apart from relatives, he encouraged others who avoid testing to get evaluated.
The evidence is a personal account from a public figure rather than a clinical record, and it reports a roughly 20-minute childhood episode of fixated staring observed by his aunt. Thompson did not disclose test results or any diagnosis, so the outcome of his assessment remains unknown.
The players
Ahmir Thompson
Ahmir Thompson, known professionally as Questlove, is the drummer and musical director of the hip-hop band The Roots and a prominent music producer and cultural commentator.
IMO
IMO is a podcast hosted by Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson that features conversations with guests about personal and cultural topics.
The details
Thompson grew up describing himself as the outcast, black sheep, and weirdo, and was fascinated by spinning objects, with a rotating light above his bed calming him as a child. He discussed this habit in a June 2013 NPR Fresh Air interview and later explained on IMO that he pursued testing as an adult.
Timeline
June 2013: Thompson discussed his childhood fixation on spinning objects in an NPR Fresh Air interview.
About a year and a half before November 4, 2026: Thompson decided to get tested for autism and ADHD.
November 4, 2026: Thompson disclosed the testing on the IMO podcast episode.
Big Picture
Public disclosures of adult autism and ADHD assessment, such as this one, extend a visible trend of well-known figures discussing late diagnosis. Such accounts can encourage adults who have avoided testing to seek evaluation.
Adults who recognize long-standing traits may consider a formal evaluation for autism or ADHD, which can clarify diagnosis and access to support. Thompson's account shows testing can be pursued at any age.
The takeaway
Adults who have long wondered whether childhood traits point to autism or ADHD can pursue assessment at any age. Thompson's public account encourages those who have avoided testing to consider getting evaluated.
Further reading
Explore more on Autism coverage across the United States.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TheGrio.
