Holly Madison, 42, was diagnosed with autism this summer.

Former Playboy model tells the story people magazine She truly cherished this revelation because it helped her reconcile many of her early interpersonal experiences. After leaving home, she went on to become a best-selling author, podcast host, and producer of a true crime series.

“I’m glad I got this diagnosis because I can recognize how I act, why I act the way I do, and how I relate to people,” said Madison, now 43. “I feel like it’s important to know that. My social skills help.”

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to interact with others, communicate, learn and behave, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In an appearance in December Conversation with death In the podcast, she said, “Doctors told me I have high executive functioning skills, which means I can live and do things almost ‘normally’.”

“I think because I’m quieter and I’ve only recently learned to make eye contact and I’m often caught up in my own thoughts and that kind of thing, people take it as an offense. They’re like, ‘Damn, you’re not that cool with me. Interest, fuck you,’” she laughs. “Like, I’m just on a different social wavelength than other people, but don’t take it personally. So I like being able to explain that.”