Rob McElhenney has announced he has been diagnosed as having learning difficulties at the age of 46 and fans have lined up to thank him for being “open and honest”.
The Hollywood star, and co-owner of Wrexham Football Club, made the declaration on Twitter, saying he had spoken out in the hope it could help someone else in the same position.
I was recently diagnosed with a host of neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities! At 46!
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) July 11, 2023
I go through the full diagnosis/prognosis on the @thesunnypodcast (which drops in 2 weeks)
It’s not something I would normally talk about publicly but I figured there are…
He said: “I was recently diagnosed with a host of neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities! At 46! I go through the full diagnosis/prognosis on the @thesunnypodcast (which drops in 2 weeks) It’s not something I would normally talk about publicly but I figured there are others who struggle with similar things and I wanted to remind you that you’re not alone. You’re not stupid. You’re not “bad”. It might feel that way sometimes. But it’s not true.”
The message was picked up by fans, who applauded him for being brave and speaking out.
One fan responded: “Appreciate your strength to be open. My son has autism, daughter adhd and in the past I used alcohol to come to terms with my own issues instead of seeking the proper help. I’m 5 years sober now and at 38 I am starting the process to find out what makes me tick as well.”
Your openness is great for neurodivergent folks like me (who was diagnosed Autistic at 37, but been diagnosed with Dyscalculia and Hyperlexia for most of my like)! I’m was already a big fan!
— Matthew Broberg-Moffitt (he/she/they) 💜🇳🇿 (@BrobergMatthew) July 11, 2023
Another added: “So amazing Rob, thank you for sharing and helping thousands who may be struggling.”
Thousands replied to his announcement in an influx of support, with many thanking him for challenging the stigma around neurodevelopmental disorder diagnoses at an older age.
“I’m autistic and it seriously means so much to me that you’re doing something like this :’) thank you so much for opening up about it, it’s gonna help break down so much of the stigma around being neurodivergent!!” Another added: “I look forward to hearing all about it on the podcast, thank you for sharing and being inspirational,” while a third said: “This is so comforting to read. I’m just one year ahead of you and going through very similar.
Thank you for talking about it #ActuallyAutistic #ADHD ❤️❤️👍
— Caroline Keep (@Ka81) July 11, 2023
McElhenney and his actor friend and fellow co-owner Ryan Reynolds are currently trying to get Wrexham AFC into the Football League One. They bought the club in February 2021 after which it gained promotion to League Two.
But that is not the pair’s only dealing with each other. They recently have also joined other investors to buy into the Alpine F1 team.
