“The Traitors” season 4 contestant Ron Funches has confirmed his autism diagnosis after viewers online speculated that he might be on the spectrum.
Funches, 42, first opened up about the possibility of having autism on January 21, after watching himself on the show.
“I honestly didn’t know I myself had Autism,” he replied to a fan on Threads. “I thought I was just an ally and parent of an autistic child.”
However, after realizing that his fellow “The Traitors” stars didn’t “comprehend or understand” him despite being “direct,” he decided to start the process of getting a diagnosis.
Funches also shared that he’s surprised by some of his mannerisms and that the show has proven he “can be extremely unaware of obvious things.”
Ron Funches Gets Real About Autism
Funches added that he “won’t be comfortable calling [himself] autistic until [his] diagnosis is done.”
In another post, “The Traitors” contestant said his diagnosis was worth sharing, especially if it helps him better understand himself and his son, who has also been diagnosed with autism.
“If the end result from me being isolated and feeling misunderstood on ‘The Traitors’ is that I understand myself and my son more, I consider that a victory worth sharing,” he wrote.
In 2022, Funches celebrated Autism Awareness Day with a touching message for his son, Malcolm. “Thank you to my son, who brought autism awareness into my life, and continually teaches me so much every day,” he said in a post.
‘The Traitors’ Star Confirms Diagnosis
On January 22, Funches took to his Instagram Stories and revealed that he finally got his diagnosis. “The Traitors” star confirmed that he is, in fact, autistic.
“Well, the internet told me I was autistic and was right,” Funches wrote. “You win this round. Still not gay yet.”
Funches also thanked the show for helping him explore his real condition. “Thanks @thetraitorsus for helping me find out more about me through some type of cruel trauma.”
“The Traitors” star also has a message to everyone who watches the show.
“Please be kind to others even if you’re in a murder-based game show,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories. “It’s a game and you never know what people are dealing with. Or what they don’t even know they’re dealing with.”
Meanwhile, fans flooded the comment section with positive messages and support for the reality star.
One fan wrote, “I think this is such a lovely thing for you to share. I know you’ve always been an incredible ally (and father) – sometimes you’re so busy taking care of others it’s easy to not have the time to look inward.”
Another commented, “You’re a sweetheart. And understood by those who matter.”
Someone added, “I’m rooting for you, Ron. You’re literally the faithful of all the faithfuls.”
