Tallulah Willis, the daughter of actors Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, has announced that she will host the Autism Speaks Los Angeles Gala this year. 

This announcement comes after Willis revealed her own autism diagnosis last year, which she says has significantly impacted her life.

In a statement, Willis expressed her desire to use her platform to raise awareness and understanding about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly for women who are more commonly misdiagnosed. ASD is characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. While signs usually present around the ages of 2 and 3, they can sometimes be missed due to the spectrum nature of the condition.

The Autism Speaks Los Angeles Gala, which will be held on October 24 at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, will honor Willis for her advocacy for autism awareness. Past honorees have included prominent figures such as Dave Grohl, J.K. Simmons, Sarah McLachlan and Naomi Campbell.

Georgianna Junco-Kelman, a board member of Autism Speaks, and a special education attorney, expressed the organization’s gratitude for Willis’ support. “It is a privilege to have the support of advocates like Tallulah in calling awareness to the most pressing issues for the autistic community,” she said. “While we are celebrating the strides we made in driving inclusion at past Autism Speaks Los Angeles Galas, work still needs to be done to ensure there are more opportunities, particularly in the entertainment sector, that allow people with autism to reach their full potential.”

Junco-Kelman continued, “In collaboration with local communities and supporters, we are proud to serve as key source of information, steadfast allies in the fight for greater representation, and champions for true acceptance of autistic people at every stage of life.” 

Willis first revealed she was diagnosed with autism in a social media post in March. “Found out this summer and it’s changed my life. ☀️” she shared on Instagram before calling herself “neurospicy” in a comment.

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