Prison Break star, Wentworth Miller reveals he was diagnosed with autism

Prison Break star, Wentworth Miller has revealed he has been diagnosed with autism as an adult.

The 49-year-old 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.

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.