Wentworth Miller reveals autism diagnosis: ‘It was a shock but not a surprise’

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Wentworth Miller The CW Network's 2015 Upfront - Red Carpet
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Wentworth Miller has been diagnosed with autism.

The 49-year-old actor has revealed he was diagnosed with the developmental disorder as an adult last year, after he previously had โ€œself-diagnosedโ€ himself with the condition before seeking medical advice.

He wrote on Instagram: โ€œThis fall marks 1 year since I received my informal autism diagnosis. Preceded by a self-diagnosis. Followed by a formal diagnosis.

โ€œIt was a long, flawed process in need of updating. IMO. Iโ€™m a middle-aged man. Not a 5-year-old.

โ€œAnd (itโ€™s a โ€˜both/andโ€™) I recognize access to a diagnosis is a privilege many do not enjoy. (sic)โ€

The โ€˜Prison Breakโ€™ actor said he was โ€œshockedโ€ but not โ€œsurprisedโ€ by the diagnosis, but insisted it isnโ€™t something he would ever โ€œchangeโ€ about himself.

He added: โ€œLetโ€™s just say it was a shock. But not a surprise.

โ€œOh โ€“ this isnโ€™t something Iโ€™d change. No. I get โ€“ got โ€“ immediately being autistic is central to who I am. To everything Iโ€™ve achieved/articulated.

โ€œOh โ€“ 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 themโ€ฆ thank you.

โ€œAnd to those who made a different choiceโ€ฆ well. People will reveal themselves. (sic)โ€

Wentworth wonโ€™t begin using his platform to speak about autism straight away because he wants to make sure he does enough research into the disorder first.

He wrote: โ€œThere is a now-familiar cultural narrative (in which Iโ€™ve participated) that goes, โ€˜Public figure shares A, B and C publicly, dedicates platform to D, E and F.โ€™ Good for them.

โ€œAnd (itโ€™s a โ€˜both/andโ€™) thatโ€™s not necessarily whatโ€™s going to happen here. I donโ€™t know enough about autism. (Thereโ€™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.

โ€œThat will take time.

โ€œMeanwhile, I donโ€™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 donโ€™t wish to do additional harm. Only to raise my hand, say, โ€˜I am here. Have been (w/o realizing it).โ€™ (sic)โ€


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