Current:Home > InvestTallulah Willis, Bruce Willis' daughter, shares she was diagnosed with autism last year -WealthX
Tallulah Willis, Bruce Willis' daughter, shares she was diagnosed with autism last year
View
Date:2025-04-17 01:39:04
Bruce Willis' daughter Tallulah has shared that she received a life-changing autism diagnosis as an adult.
Willis, 30, on Friday posted a throwback video on Instagram that showed her touching her father's head and playing with his ear as he held her at an event when she was a child. "Tell me your autistic without telling me your autistic," she wrote, adding a crying laughing emoji.
In the comments of the post, one follower asked Willis for more information, and she shared that she was only diagnosed as autistic last year. "Actually this is the first time I've ever publicly shared my diagnosis," she wrote. "Found out this summer and it's changed my life."
According to the National Institutes of Health, diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adults is often more difficult than in kids because certain symptoms can overlap with those of anxiety, ADHD and other disorders.
"Receiving a correct diagnosis of ASD as an adult can help a person understand past challenges, identify personal strengths, and find the right kind of help," the NIH says. "Studies are underway to determine the types of services and supports that are most helpful for improving the functioning and community integration of autistic transition-age youth and adults."
Adults who notice signs of ASD can receive an evaluation, in which an expert may ask about social interaction and communication challenges, sensory issues, repetitive behaviors and restricted interests, per the NIH.
Tallulah Willis'resented' looking like dad Bruce: How she copes with body dysmorphic disorder
Willis was responding to a comment from a user who identified themselves as a psychologist and wrote, "We catch undiagnosed ASD in girls and women quite often (they have unique presentations and often turn to other ways of coping to manage the dysregulation)." The follower added, "Not sure how much of your journey you’ve shared but would love to read more. You’re brave and inspiring and this is a very sweet video. All the best!"
Tallulah Willis is the youngest of three daughters whom Bruce Willis shares with ex-wife Demi Moore. He also has two children with his current wife, Emma Heming Willis.
The "Die Hard" star retired from acting after he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. In an essay for Vogue magazine published last year, Tallulah Willis reflected that she had "known that something was wrong for a long time" even before her father was diagnosed.
Tallulah Willison coping with dad Bruce Willis' dementia: 'Something was wrong for a long time'
In that essay, Willis said that she was diagnosed with ADHD after being admitted to a residential treatment facility to address her depression and later received a new diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. She also opened up about her four-year battle with anorexia nervosa.
"I admit that I have met Bruce's decline in recent years with a share of avoidance and denial that I’m not proud of," she wrote. "The truth is that I was too sick myself to handle it. … While I was wrapped up in my body dysmorphia, flaunting it on Instagram, my dad was quietly struggling."
If you or someone you know is struggling with body image or eating concerns, the National Eating Disorders Association's toll-free and confidential helpline is available by phone or text at 1-800-931-2237 or by click-to-chat message at nationaleatingdisorders.org/helpline. For 24/7 crisis situations, text "NEDA" to 741-741.
Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
veryGood! (5735)
Related
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Flood watches issued as another round of wet winter storms hits California
- We went to more than 20 New York Fashion Week shows, events: Recapping NYFW 2024
- Minnesota police seek motive as town grieves after 2 officers, 1 firefighter fatally shot
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday night's $457 million jackpot
- Larry Bird makes rare public speaking appearances during NBA All-Star Weekend
- Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Presidents Day 2024? What to know
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Former President George W. Bush receives blinged out chain at SMU basketball game
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Jeremy Renner Makes Rare Appearance at 2024 People's Choice Awards After Past Year's Heck of a Journey
- Jeremy Renner Makes Rare Appearance at 2024 People's Choice Awards After Past Year's Heck of a Journey
- Bryce Harper wants longer deal with Phillies to go in his 40s, accepts move to first base
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Abortion rights opponents and supporters seize on report that Trump privately pushes 16-week ban
- South Carolina's Dawn Staley says Caitlin Clark scoring record may never be broken again
- Expand March Madness? No thanks. What a bad idea from Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark
Recommendation
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
Harry Styles Debuts Winning Haircut During Rare Public Appearance at Soccer Game
Alexey Navalny's message to the world if they decide to kill me, and what his wife wants people to do now
Sylvester Stallone hired Navy SEALs to train daughters before they moved to New York City
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Jaromir Jagr’s return to Pittsburgh ends with his No. 68 being retired — and catharsis
The first Black 'Peanuts' character finally gets his origin story in animated special
Inside Hilary Swank's New Life With Her Million Dollar Babies