Prison Break Star Wentworth Miller Shares A Surprising Health Diagnosis

Actor Wentworth Miller, who rose to fame on the Fox drama "Prison Break," has revealed that a year ago he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), something more commonly diagnosed in childhood, according to WebMD. The 49-year-old actor spoke about his diagnosis in a lengthy Instagram post, explaining that being on the spectrum is something he wouldn't change about himself because it is a part of him.

"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," Miller wrote. He also said he was the one who originally diagnosed himself with autism before getting an official diagnosis. His Instagram post was created to commemorate the one-year anniversary of when he received an informal diagnosis, which was later followed by a formal one. He also pointed out that he knows an adult autism diagnosis is not something that's easy to get. As WebMD notes, adult autism specialists are not easy to find, nor is there an official diagnostic test for adults, as there is for children.

Wentworth Miller admitted getting his diagnosis was a lengthy process, but when he learned he had autism he wasn't particularly shocked. He also wrote in his Instagram post that he's still learning about the disorder that was rarely diagnosed when he was a child. Instead, children only a generation ago were just called difficult kids and didn't get the help and services they needed to live easier lives, according to WebMD. As of 2020, CNN reports that about 2.2% of Americans have ASD.

Miller wrote, "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 ... 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 (sic) a new lens. That will take time."

The actor also showed his respect for the large and diverse autism community. "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).'"