Current:Home > InvestTallulah Willis, Bruce Willis' daughter, shares she was diagnosed with autism last year -FutureFinance
Tallulah Willis, Bruce Willis' daughter, shares she was diagnosed with autism last year
SafeX Pro Exchange View
Date:2025-04-08 12:16:45
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! (8421)
Related
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Hundreds of miles away, Hurricane Ernesto still affects US beaches with rip currents, house collapse
- US official says Mideast mediators are preparing for implementation of cease-fire deal in advance
- Powerful earthquake hits off far east coast of Russia, though no early reports of damage
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Minnesota Vikings bolster depleted secondary, sign veteran corner Stephon Gilmore
- Florida primary will set US Senate race but largely focus on state and local races
- Harris Stirs Hope for a New Chapter in Climate Action
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Massachusetts governor pledges to sign sweeping maternal health bill
Ranking
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- A Florida couple won $3,300 at the casino. Two men then followed them home and shot them.
- Hundreds of miles away, Hurricane Ernesto still affects US beaches with rip currents, house collapse
- Minnesota Vikings bolster depleted secondary, sign veteran corner Stephon Gilmore
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- South Africa’s du Plessis retains middleweight UFC title
- Watch: Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey nails 66-yard field goal
- Taylor Swift praises Post Malone, 'Fortnight' collaborator, for his 'F-1 Trillion' album
Recommendation
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
US official says Mideast mediators are preparing for implementation of cease-fire deal in advance
Old legal quirk lets police take your money with little reason, critics say
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's Son Connor Cruise Shares Rare Glimpse into His Private World
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Johnny Bananas and Other Challenge Stars Reveal Why the Victory Means More Than the Cash Prize
Immigrants prepare for new Biden protections with excitement and concern
Maurice Williams, writer and lead singer of ‘Stay,’ dead at 86