In honor of World Autism Day, we're spotlighting your favorite celebrities who are parents of children with autism to help spread awareness. As cited by the National Institute of Mental Health, autism is a developmental disorder of the nervous system, with symptoms typically appearing during the first two years of life.
Autism spectrum disorders affect the way people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.
In 2023, the CDC reported that for the first time, Black and Latino children were diagnosed more often than white children, with 1 in 36 8-year-olds diagnosed with ASD in 2020.
Related: Autism: What you need to know
There is no cure for ASD, but it can be treated with therapy that focuses on communication by promoting social skills.
Medications are also a treatment option, but according to the Mayo Hill Clinic, “While the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder cannot be reversed, certain medications can control the symptoms.”
Still, with proper management, people with this condition can lead bright and healthy lives.
Here are some famous people from our community who are spreading awareness to combat stigma in the autism community.
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toni braxton
In 2007, the “Unbreak My Heart” singer discovered her son. Diesel Kai Braxton-Lewis He had autism. Still, the R&B singer will face challenges in the medical industry to get his son proper medical care.
“They fired me,” she told officials from Diesel's medical team. “I don't know if things would have been different if they had been diagnosed earlier, but they had a 'wait and see' attitude. The mother was very upset because she knew there was something wrong with her child. will stand.''
As time passed, Diesel's condition worsened, and the Grammy winner announced that he was no longer autistic.
“My youngest son, everyone knows, my son Diesel has autism. Or should I say he has autism,” she wrote in a 2020 interview. – Explained to Hollywood. “I'm one of the lucky parents. Early diagnosis makes all the difference. I'll tell you this. I'll shout it from the rooftops. My son's diesel is substandard.
She also praised the co-founder of Autism Speaks Suzanne Wright For improving diesel health. “As soon as she found out about my son and I, she called me and said, 'Get him into this program. Do this, do that.'” was a spokesperson who helped me a lot,'' she said of Wright, who passed away in 2016, as quoted by NBC.
Following Diesel's rise, Toni said, “He's our social butterfly. He's the one we hang out with our friends and spend time with all the time.”
She added: “We're very, very lucky. I don't want to think there's anything wrong with our baby, I just think they learn differently.”
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holly robinson peete
when holly robinson peete and her husband Rodney Peete's son, rodney pete jr., if a child is diagnosed with autism at the age of two, it will change their life. With few resources to support them on their new journey, Holly decided to share PJ's medical diagnosis with the world, but Rodney felt it would “lead to him being labeled” and “destroying his chances in life.” They opposed it out of fear that it would limit the number of people who
Still, she continued to give hope to others in similar situations.
“I was just the opposite, we said have “We've been able to talk about this because we have this platform to talk about autism and tell a lot of other people,” she tells PEOPLE.
Holly also revealed her parenting techniques when PJ was a child.
“We never thought about sending him away. I chose the aggressive crazy mom approach. … We're very goal-oriented. We're a 6-year-old for him. The biggest goal was to have a conversation from beginning to end: I would say “Hello” and RJ would say “Hello, Mom.” how are you? 'I say, “I'm fine, and you?'' And he says, “I'm fine too.'' Now RJ is setting goals for himself. ”
“It's been a long road, but the journey is far from over,” she said, adding, “I'm so proud of my son.”
Now, 25-year-old PJ is living his baseball dream as an employee of the LA Dodgers.
“The fact that they hired my son, they're inclusive of young people with autism, they give them opportunities, and he's been here for eight years. It was a godsend. '' she told the media. “That’s why I really love this team.”
“He didn't have any friends since childhood,” she continued. “He has his whole family around him outside of his immediate family supporting him, and he's like an ambassador here. Mr. Rourke of Dodger Stadium. ”
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Sean Stockman
Sean Stockman and his wife Char Honda We are a family of five, including a daughter and a 20-year-old older twin boy. MikaHe was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.
To spread awareness about this condition, Sean and Charhonda founded Micha's Voice, a nonprofit organization that provides support and resources to families with children with autism.
In 2021, Boys II Men “Autism has been the most difficult thing I've ever faced,” the singer wrote in a blog post on the company's website. “But with each small step and each small victory, you are left with a sense of accomplishment and worth and purpose.”
At that time, the foundation partnered with SevenFriday brand watches to carry out philanthropic activities, the proceeds of which were donated to deserving families.
“Life is hard,” Stockman continued in a blog post, “but it's great to know that there are other people on this planet who are willing to help make life a little better. , I'm certainly happy,” he said.
That year, he opened up to TMZ about the inspiration behind the collaboration.
“This watch is different from other watches. [watch] He explained to the media that it might be because when you look down, not only can you see the smiley face there (the Micah's Voice logo), but you can also look down and say that you actually helped someone. “We're not complacent like most watches. That money goes directly to supporting the development of children and supporting families to get their children right on this journey called autism.”
