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Sibling Support: Rumer Willis Celebrates Sister Tallulah's Brave Autism Journey

Home / Entertainment / Sibling Support: Rumer Willis Celebrates Sister Tallulah's Brave Autism Journey

By Taylor Hodgkins on October 26, 2024 at 7:15 PM EDT

The Willis-Moore family has been known to display their tight family bond through thick and thin, and their three daughters are certainly continuing to share their familial love with the world!

Bruce Wills and Demi Moore are still incredibly close after divorcing over two decades ago. The Brat Pack alumna is still standing by her former husband through his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis (FTD), giving insight into FTD's impact on their family unit.

The pair's three daughters are also sticking by one another through life-changing experiences.Tallulah Willis recently revealed her autism diagnosis, sharing how her life has improved since her big news.

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Tallulah Willis Reveals Her Autism Diagnosis

The 30-year-old revealed her autism diagnosis in an Instagram post last year. Sharing a throwback video of her younger self patting her father's face while he is being interviewed, Willis wrote, "tell me you're autistic without telling me you're autistic."

Willis opened up a bit more in response to a fan's question, revealing, "Actually this is the first time I've ever shared my diagnosis. Found out this summer and it's changed my life."

Fans were thrilled with Willis' revelation in the comments, with many praising her father for "rolling with" how Tallulah continuously touches his face.

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The Actress Opened Up About Her Diagnosis On The TODAY Show

Last month, Willis reached a whole new audience when she spoke to Hoda Kotband Savannah Guthrie about her diagnosis and how she has come to terms with beginning the next chapter in her life. She also revealed she would be a recipient of an award at an upcoming Autism Speaks gala!

Revealing more details with her Instagram followers, Willis wrote, "Just did my first morning spot on @todayshow with such a warm welcome from @hodakotb & @savannahguthrie I was nervous before but they immediately made me feel so safe," she explained.

"I filled them in on the upcoming @autismspeaks gala where (and I can’t believe this!) I’m being honored, shared how later in life diagnosis is common for females, and told them I knew how proud my dad was of me!" Willis continued.

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The "Whole Ten Yards Actress" went on to explain how important it is for her to continue sharing her story as an autistic woman with a platform such as hers.

"Being a level one autistic person with a platform, it’s very important to me to continue speaking on this when I know others in my new community cannot," Willis concluded.

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Tallulah Willis' Older Sister Shares How She Has Thrived Since Her Diagnosis

The eldest Willis daughter, Rumer, was on hand to support her younger sister as she was honored at the Autism Speaks Los Angeles Gala. Rumer also spoke at the ceremony and introduced her younger sister to the crowd, per People.

Rumer praised her sister for being "extraordinary," and highlighted Tallulah's commitment of elevating acceptance and her dedication to promoting the organization.

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"From the very start, she stood out," Rumer told the audience, of Tallulah. "Not just for her creativity, which was wild and boundless, but for the way she seemed to exist on a slightly different frequency from the rest of us," she shared. "While other kids were coloring inside the lines, she was busy inventing her own worlds. And honestly, most of us were lucky just to keep up," Rumer continued to recall in her speech.

Rumer went on to describe the "insurmountable hurdles" that her younger sister has had to go through that neurotypical people may not have considered: "A way of experiencing the world that was both beautiful and, at times, overwhelming. Things most people never think about — textures, noises, crowded rooms..." she explained.

The 'Bandits' Actress Worked With Therapists As A Child

Coming into herself took a few decades.

Rumer shared how Tallulah went to therapy as a child in her speech. "It was like she had all the ingredients for peace but was stuck trying to make a recipe without the instructions," Rumer explained of her little sister's journey.

As her little sister has embraced and found herself in her life as an autistic woman, Rumer describes her as having a "grace" and a "breathtaking confidence."

"It gave her permission to be exactly who she is, without apology or an explanation," Rumer said. "Since then, I’ve seen her grow into herself with a grace and confidence that are breathtaking. It’s like watching someone finally exhale after holding their breath for years," she continued.

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"She’s found comfort in her skin, not by changing who she is, but by embracing it fully — quirks, sensitivities and all," the eldest Willis sister concluded.

Tallulah Willis Provides Rare Updates On Her Father's Condition

The youngest Willis-Moore sister opened up about her dad's health in late August.

Willis revealed she visits her dad when her schedule permits. She also has worked on prioritizing being present and seeing the experience for "what the visit is." She also considers her mental health, making sure she knows she is feeling "okay" before the visit starts.

She revealed to PEOPLE that the "Die Hard" legend was "doing the same in terms of the last we kind of updated, which I'm told is good. But whatever kind of day it is, my family and I meet him where he's at."

Willis also described her father in a more recent update as having some "painful" days during his illness. However, she stresses that his situation remains "good."

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