Holly Madison recently discovered that she falls within the autism spectrum. In a recent episode of the “Talking to Death” podcast on December 8, the 43-year-old former Girls Next Door star shared her realization, explaining that her suspicions were fueled by her mother’s concerns and her own childhood experiences, such as frequently zoning out and struggling with social cues.
During the podcast hosted by Payne Lindsey, Madison revealed that she had officially been diagnosed earlier this year. She disclosed that the doctors informed her of having high executive functioning, allowing her to lead a seemingly normal life. Madison admitted that she had previously attributed her social challenges to factors like growing up in Alaska and later moving to Oregon in middle school, assuming her introverted nature was a result of these changes.
Holly Madison (Credits: She Knows)
Madison acknowledged her difficulty in making eye contact and often being lost in her thoughts, traits that might be misconstrued as offensive by others. She emphasized that her social wavelength differs from most people’s but urged others not to take it personally.
One particular challenge Madison faces is determining when people are finished speaking, leading her to unintentionally interrupt them. She candidly admitted that this tendency has occasionally angered people, and she expressed her commitment to learning and improving in this regard.
Reflecting on her life, Madison recognized that her behaviors had caused some individuals to dislike her, perceiving her as stuck up or snobby. She shared her struggles with making eye contact and the efforts she has made to address this issue.
In terms of social interactions, Madison now apologizes if she interrupts or talks over someone, providing an explanation rooted in her diagnosis. She emphasized the importance of patience in dealing with neurodivergent individuals and expressed that she has gained more patience herself, no longer taking things personally.
Concluding her podcast appearance, Madison offered a simple piece of advice for interacting with neurodivergent individuals: “Everyone operates differently, and when interacting with anybody, just have a little bit of patience because you don’t know what they’re dealing with or what their level of social function is.”
