Prison Break actor Wentworth Miller announced that he has been diagnosed with autism as an adult.
Miller, 49, shared the news on social media, recounting the long road to his diagnosis, and called for an end to the ‘long, flawed process’ that many undergo while seeking their own diagnosis.
The star, who played Michael Scofield on the hit Fox show Prison Break, said, “This fall marks 1 year since I received my informal autism diagnosis. Preceded by a self-diagnosis. Followed by a formal diagnosis.
“It was a long, flawed process in need of updating. IMO. I’m a middle-aged man. Not a 5-year-old.
“And (it’s a ‘both/and’) I recognise access to a diagnosis is a privilege many do not enjoy.”
Miller added that the diagnosis was not a ‘shock’ or a ‘surprise’ but that he just wanted to share his diagnosis, rather than acting as an ‘ill-informed’ spokesperson for the autistic community.
He continued, “I don’t know enough about autism. (There’s a lot to know.) Right now my work looks like evolving my understanding. Re-examining 5 decades of lived experience thru a new lens.
“Meanwhile, I don’t want to run the risk of suddenly being a loud, ill-informed voice in the room.
“The #autistic community (this I do know) has historically been talked over. Spoken for. I don’t wish to do additional harm. Only to raise my hand, say, ‘I am here. Have been (w/o realising it).'”
He continued, “If anyone’s interested in delving deeper into #autism + #neurodiversity, I’ll point you toward the numerous individuals sharing thoughtful + inspiring content on Instagram, TikTok… Unpacking terminology. Adding nuance. Fighting stigma.
“These creators (some quite young) speak to the relevant issues more knowledgeably/fluently than I can. (They’ve been schooling me as well.)
“That’s the extent of what I’m inclined to share atm.
“Oh – this isn’t something I’d change. No. I get – got – immediately being autistic is central to who I am. To everything I’ve achieved/articulated,
“Oh – I also want to say to the many (many) people who consciously or unconsciously gave me that extra bit of grace + space over the years, allowed me to move thru the world in a way that made sense to me whether or not it made sense to them… thank you.
He signed off, “Another gift, W.M.”
