Current:Home > FinanceTallulah Willis, Bruce Willis' daughter, shares she was diagnosed with autism last year -WorldMoney
Tallulah Willis, Bruce Willis' daughter, shares she was diagnosed with autism last year
View
Date:2025-04-24 16:52:01
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! (6)
Related
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Disney's free speech lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis dismissed but second lawsuit still pending
- Pro Bowl Games 2024: Flag football and skills schedule, how to watch, AFC and NFC rosters
- Mississippi eyes quicker Medicaid coverage in pregnancy to try to reduce deaths of moms and babies
- Bodycam footage shows high
- North Carolina redistricting lawsuit tries `fair` election claim to overturn GOP lines
- Elmo asks the internet 'How are you doing?' Turns out, they’re not doing great.
- A court rejected Elon Musk’s $55.8B pay package. What is he worth to Tesla?
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Groundhogs are more than weather predictors: Here are some lesser known facts about them
Ranking
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Japanese flight controllers re-establish contact with tipped-over SLIM moon lander
- Federal judge dismisses case seeking to force US to pressure Israel to stop bombing Gaza
- What you need to know about the origins of Black History Month
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Man who killed 2 women near the Las Vegas Strip is sentenced to life in prison
- Veteran seeking dismissal of criminal charge for subduing suspect in attack on Muslim lawmaker
- A beheading video was on YouTube for hours, raising questions about why it wasn’t taken down sooner
Recommendation
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
Wheel of Fortune Fans Are Spinning Over $40,000 Prize Ruling in Final Puzzle
2024 NBA Draft expands to two-day format: second round will be held day after first round
Green Bay Packers hire Boston College coach Jeff Hafley as their defensive coordinator
In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
Noah Kahan opens up about his surreal Grammy Awards nomination and path to success
Woman arrested at airport in Colombia with 130 endangered poisonous frogs worth $130,000
Japanese flight controllers re-establish contact with tipped-over SLIM moon lander