Current:Home > NewsTallulah Willis, Bruce Willis' daughter, shares she was diagnosed with autism last year -StockPrime
Tallulah Willis, Bruce Willis' daughter, shares she was diagnosed with autism last year
View
Date:2025-04-15 06:09:58
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! (814)
Related
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- 'Avengers' star Robert Downey Jr. returns to Marvel – but as Doctor Doom
- Watch this driver uncover the source of a mysterious noise under her car hood
- A strike from Lebanon killed 12 youths. Could that spark war between Israel and Hezbollah?
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Apple has reached its first-ever union contract with store employees in Maryland
- Inside Tatum Thompson's Precious World With Mom Khloe Kardashian, Dad Tristan Thompson and Sister True
- Will Simone Biles' husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, be in Paris?
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Technology’s grip on modern life is pushing us down a dimly lit path of digital land mines
Ranking
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Joe Biden is out and Kamala Harris is in. Disenchanted voters are taking a new look at their choices
- 'Ghosts' Season 4 will bring new characters, holiday specials and big changes
- Kamala Harris has America focused on multiracial identity
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Katie Ledecky wins 400 free bronze in her first Olympic final in Paris
- US boxer Jajaira Gonzalez beats French gold medalist, quiets raucous crowd
- Allegations left US fencers pitted against each other weeks before the Olympics
Recommendation
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
'Futurama' Season 12: Premiere date, episode schedule, where to watch
Oldest zoo in the US finds new ways to flourish. See how it is making its mark.
Will Simone Biles' husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, be in Paris?
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
Why are more adults not having children? New study may have an explanation.
Dwyane Wade Olympics broadcasting: NBA legend, Noah Eagle's commentary praised on social media
Dwyane Wade Olympics broadcasting: NBA legend, Noah Eagle's commentary praised on social media