by: Bee Delores
Last Updated: July 25, 2024
7 min read
7 min read
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Tallulah Willis , daughter of famous actors Bruce Willis and Demi Moore , is on a journey of self-discovery after being diagnosed with autism last year.
Now 30 years old, she’s still learning how this diagnosis affects her daily life.
Tallulah has been open about her struggles and triumphs, sharing her story to help others understand autism better.
Tallulah always felt that her senses were stronger than most people’s.
She could taste, smell, touch, see, and hear things more intensely. This made her curious, and she wondered why she felt this way.
Last year, she found out that these strong senses were connected to autism .
“Before my diagnosis, I always felt like my sensitivity with my five senses was not something everyone experienced,” she explained.
In March 2024, Tallulah shared her autism diagnosis with the public for the first time.
She posted a throwback video on social media showing her and her father , Bruce Willis, at the premiere of his movie “ The Whole Ten Yards ” in 2004.
In the video, young Tallulah is seen repeatedly touching her dad’s ears and head, a behavior known as stimming that helps people with autism manage their feelings.
She captioned the video, “Show me you’re autistic without saying you’re autistic.”
Tallulah has also dealt with other tough issues. She has been open about struggling with an eating disorder and borderline personality disorder.
For years, she fought anorexia nervosa . In 2023, she wrote about her experience , saying, “For four years, I struggled with anorexia. Controlling my eating felt like the last thing I could control after I quit drinking at 20.”
When she was 25, Tallulah went to a treatment center for her eating disorder and depression.
She was also diagnosed with ADHD and started taking medication, which helped her focus but also made her lose her appetite, worsening her eating disorder.
She explained, “I felt smart for the first time, but I also started to enjoy the appetite-suppressant side effect of the meds. I saw a way to banish the awkward adolescent in favor of a flighty little pixie.”
Tallulah’s family has been very supportive through her challenges. Her father, Bruce Willis, is now dealing with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia .
In March 2022, the Willis family announced that Bruce would stop acting because of his health.
They shared this news with his fans and thanked them for their support. “We are handling this as a strong family,” they said.
Despite the many challenges, Tallulah continues to advocate for herself and others.
She is committed to raising awareness about autism and mental health.
By sharing her story, Tallulah hopes to inspire and support others who are facing similar struggles .
She uses her platform to bring more understanding and compassion to those living with autism, helping to create a more inclusive world.
To recognize her efforts, Tallulah will be honored by Autism Speaks at their Los Angeles Gala in October.
This event celebrates people who work hard to raise awareness and promote inclusion for those with autism.
Previous honorees include celebrities like Dave Grohl , J.K. Simmons , and Naomi Campbell .
Georgianna Junco-Kelman , a board member of Autism Speaks, praised Tallulah, saying, “It is a privilege to have the support of advocates like Tallulah in calling awareness to the most pressing issues for the autistic community.”
Autism is often missed in women. Research shows that many women with autism are not diagnosed until they are adults.
This happens because their symptoms can be harder to notice, and they often learn to blend in by copying others.
Therefore, common symptoms like social difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities might not be as pronounced or might be masked by learned social skills.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, these factors contribute to the challenges in recognizing autism in women.
As a result, many women with autism might not be diagnosed until later in life, if at all.
Tallulah wants to help more women get the right diagnosis and support.
She said, “I want to raise as much awareness as I can about autism, especially for women who are often not diagnosed.
Tallulah Willis, born to famous actors Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, grew up in the spotlight. From a young age, she experienced the highs and lows of fame.
She appeared in several films as a child, including “The Whole Ten Yards” alongside her father, “Bandits,” and “The Scarlet Letter,” where she acted with her mother.
As she grew older, Tallulah continued to pursue acting, appearing in films like “ The Cold Light of Day ” and “ The Odd Way Home .”
With a rich background in the entertainment industry, Tallulah has made a name for herself through her various roles and contributions to film.
Many celebrities have shared their experiences with autism, helping to raise awareness and understanding.
One well-known figure is singer-songwriter Sia, who revealed her autism diagnosis in 2021.
Actress Daryl Hannah , famous for her roles in “Splash” and “Blade Runner,” has also spoken about living with autism.
Comedian and actor Dan Aykroyd , known for “Ghostbusters” and “The Blues Brothers,” has discussed his experiences with Asperger’s Syndrome , a form of autism.
These celebrities use their platforms to share their stories and support others with autism, showing that people with autism can succeed in many different fields.
Symptom | Description |
---|---|
Social Challenges | Difficulty with social interactions, making eye contact, understanding social cues, and forming relationships. |
Communication Difficulties | Delayed speech, repetitive language, difficulty starting or maintaining conversations. |
Repetitive Behaviors | Engaging in repetitive actions, such as hand-flapping, rocking, or lining up objects. |
Sensitivity to Sensory Input | Over- or under-reacting to sensory experiences like lights, sounds, textures, or smells. |
Strict Routines | Strong preference for routines and resistance to change, becoming upset with disruptions. |
Focused Interests | Intense interest in specific topics or activities, often to the exclusion of other interests. |
Emotional Regulation | Difficulty managing emotions, leading to meltdowns or outbursts in response to stress. |
Nonverbal Communication | Limited use of gestures, facial expressions, or body language to communicate. |
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