‘The Bachelor’ Alum Demi Burnett Candidly Opens up About Life with Autism

The Bachelor star Demi Burnett candidly shared about her autism diagnosis, offering an intimate glimpse into her life and experiences.

Burnett first revealed that she had received an autism diagnosis on February 20, 2022, via Instagram. Since then, she has consistently discussed autism openly online and shared educational videos on topics such as autism, pathological demand avoidance, and ADHD.

In a recent interview with PopSugar, Burnett further shared about her autism diagnosis, sharing the vulnerabilities she experienced and how it ultimately played a transformative role in her self-discovery and understanding of her own identity.

Likewise, she addressed the prevalent misconceptions and stigma surrounding neurodivergent individuals. She stated, “People on Instagram are so funny because they’re like, ‘You don’t look autistic.’ And I’m like, ‘You don’t know what I look like. You know what I want you to think I look like.’”

Additionally, the reality star revealed that the version Burnett fans have come to know on-screen and online is not a complete representation of her true self.

Burnett then shared the challenges she frequently faced, expressing her previous difficulty in understanding the root cause. She shared, “The biggest thing for me is something that I’d always kept hidden, and it was this gut feeling of dread. Every time I got invited anywhere, anytime I had to leave the house and socially interact with people — it’s this feeling of doom.”

She further disclosed that these struggles made it arduous for her to accomplish even simple daily tasks like showering, brushing her teeth, and feeding herself.

Later on, her discovery of her condition helped her make sense of her life and previous experiences. She expressed, “It made everything click 100 percent. Once I realized I was autistic, it all made sense. But at the same time, I couldn’t fully grasp it, and there was still a sense of confusion. Everything aligned with it.”

After Demi openly shared her condition, she received an outpouring of support, but she also faced a notable amount of skepticism.

Demi Burnett addressed autism-related hate comments

In March 2022 Instagram Live, Burnett expressed her concern over the criticism she faced for speaking up about her autism diagnosis, stating that such negative reactions make both her and others who suspect they may have autism feel discouraged.

She firmly addressed the issue, saying, “Stop belittling people who suspect they might be autistic. Don’t dismiss their thoughts as absurd, especially if you lack knowledge about autism. It’s better to refrain from commenting and allow individuals to explore their own experiences as guided by their instincts.”

Demi Burnett responded to the hateful remark. (Source: Twitter)

Similarly, on March 5, 2022, the television personality turned to Twitter to openly discuss her struggles with the disorder and shed light on the way others interpret her behaviors.

She , “As an autistic woman I have isolated myself. I want friends, but I seem to turn people off. I’m blunt, and it can be perceived as rude, but it is NEVER with malice. I have a terrible habit of saying the wrong thing when my intent is so good. It’s so frustrating.”

Furthermore, Burnett disclosed that discovering Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) has provided her with a deeper understanding of her enduring mental health challenges, tracing back to her teenage years.