Tisha Campbell Reveals AuDHD Diagnosis and Experience With Masking
- Actress and comedian Tisha Campbell revealed on the "Way Up With Angela Yee" radio show that she has been diagnosed with AuDHD, an informal term for co-occurring autism...
- According to Campbell, her therapist suggested she seek testing after observing specific patterns in her behavior and nervous system responses during sessions focused on processing trauma.
- Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, Campbell explained that she felt immense pressure not to stand out or appear different, prompting her to hide her natural behaviors from...
Actress and comedian Tisha Campbell revealed on the “Way Up With Angela Yee” radio show that she has been diagnosed with AuDHD, an informal term for co-occurring autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to interviews and reporting published this week. The “Martin” star shared that the formal clinical diagnosis came earlier this year after she finished writing her new book, “A Word: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Love,” which chronicles her experiences raising her son, Xen, who is also on the autism spectrum.
A Late-Life Diagnosis After Decades in the Spotlight
Rigorous Testing and Clinical Evaluations
According to Campbell, her therapist suggested she seek testing after observing specific patterns in her behavior and nervous system responses during sessions focused on processing trauma. To complete the evaluations, Campbell stated she consulted two separate specialists and underwent 12 distinct assessments with each provider. The evaluations involved oral exams, written tests, and extensive question-and-answer sessions that confirmed she is “level one” on the spectrum, a classification generally used for individuals who live independently but may require support with social communication and sensory processing. In addition to AuDHD, Campbell noted that she received a diagnosis for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Decades of Masking in Newark and Hollywood
Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, Campbell explained that she felt immense pressure not to stand out or appear different, prompting her to hide her natural behaviors from the public. She admitted to “masking” her symptoms for decades, utilizing humor and loudness as coping mechanisms.
My whole entire life, I’ve masked in front of the public and I’ve masked with my loudness and my jokes,
Campbell said, according to USA TODAY. That was my way of hiding in plain sight.
Recognizing Stimming and Special Interests
The comedian also discussed how she hid behaviors such as stimming—short for self-stimulatory behavior involving repetitive movements or sounds used for self-regulation—and noted that her lifelong dedication to acting and music represents “special interests,” a term neurodivergent individuals use for deep fixations.
Bonding With Her Son Over a Shared Identity
Campbell said the diagnosis has brought her closer to her son, Xen, who was thrilled to learn they share a neurodivergent identity.
He was like this: ‘Yay, I got a friend,’
Campbell said, according to USA TODAY coverage. He was happy.
Campbell joins a growing group of public figures who have spoken openly about receiving autism diagnoses in adulthood, including actors Wentworth Miller and others who have shared similar personal health journeys in recent years.