Tisha Campbell has spent years using her platform to advocate for autism awareness. Now, that journey has taken an intensely personal turn.

The beloved ‘Martin’ and ‘My Wife and Kids’ actress has revealed that, after undergoing extensive testing with two specialists, she received an AuDHD diagnosis, a term used to describe the co-occurrence of autism and ADHD.

And, for Campbell, the discovery has unlocked a new understanding of experiences she has navigated for much of her life.

Full story below…

Speaking during a candid appearance on ‘Way Up with Angela Yee’, Campbell explained that the road to answers was far from a quick one.

“I actually saw two specialists, and I took 12 tests each. They all vary from oral tests to written tests to just Q&As. And so I took all 12 twice, and I just got my diagnosis back.”

Campbell went on to share that she is level one on the autism spectrum and explained that some of the support she needs may not necessarily be obvious to those around her.

Tisha Campbell Opens Up About Sensory Differences and ‘Special Interests’

“I have a lot of autistic tendencies, and I’m level one. So for me, I may not look like I need support, but I have earphones to block out sounds because I, too, have audio processing differences. Like, everything comes at me all at once.”

The 57-year-old also reflected on the terminology surrounding autism and the way certain traits can manifest, revealing that one aspect suddenly put her decades-long entertainment career into a different context.

“A lot of autistic people have, they used to call them obsessions or fixations, but we call them special interests now. And my special interest was always acting and music.”

Indeed, those interests have translated into a career spanning more than five decades across television, film, music, producing, and comedy. TGJ readers will remember Campbell opening up to us during our exclusive chat about hosting the Soul Train Awards with Tichina Arnold, while her enduring ‘Martin’ legacy was celebrated with the cast’s blockbuster reunion.

Intriguingly, Campbell’s diagnosis arrived after she had already completed her newly released memoir, ‘The A Word: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Love.’ The book, released September 15, chronicles her experiences raising her son Xen, who was diagnosed with autism at 18 months old, and the triumphs, hurdles, and advocacy that followed.

Campbell stressed that this latest chapter of her own story is so new that it does not feature in the book.

“I got the diagnosis after I wrote the book, so that part’s not even in the book. So I’m actually talking to you about this. My newer diagnosis, this just happened this year.”

Asked what receiving that answer means for her moving forward, the actress made clear that its impact has been less about changing who she is and more about finally understanding who she has always been.

“I feel like I know myself so much better. And, you know, I do all the things and been hiding from everybody that I stim.”

It is a particularly full-circle revelation given Campbell’s long-running advocacy for autistic children and families, work inspired by Xen that has stretched well beyond Hollywood.

Now, at the same time that ‘The A Word’ shines a light on her journey as a mother, Campbell is opening a new chapter centered on discoveries about herself.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Way Up With Angela Yee (@wayupwithyee)

Your thoughts?

The post Tisha Campbell Reveals Autism & ADHD Diagnosis: “I Know Myself So Much Better” appeared first on ..::That Grape Juice.net::.. - Thirsty?.