Despite being an adult, 49-year-old Prison Break star, Wentworth Miller has been diagnosed with autism.
The movie star shared this on Instagram. Miller noted that “access to a diagnosis is a privilege many do not enjoy,” admitting that his diagnosis was “a shock,” but “not a surprise.”
He also stated that he simply wants to share his news, and not become a “loud, ill-informed voice” in the autism community.
Miller wrote;
Like everyone, life in quarantine took things from me.
But in the quiet/isolation, I found unexpected gifts.
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 recognize access to a diagnosis is a privilege many do not enjoy.
Let’s just say it was a shock. But not a surprise.
There is a now-familiar cultural narrative (in which I’ve participated) that goes, “Public figure shares A, B and C publicly, dedicates platform to D, E and F.”
Good for them. /srs
And (it’s a “both/and”) that’s not necessarily what’s going to happen here. 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.
That will take time.
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 realizing it).”
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.
And to those who made a different choice… well. People will reveal themselves.
Another gift.
W.M.
Miller was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in Prison Break, in which he played Michael Scofield, a man who deliberately sends himself to prison so as to break out his elder brother, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell), before his execution for a crime he did not commit.
He has also starred in The Flash, Madam Secretary and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.