Jacqueline Laurita's son Nicholas diagnosed with autism

Jacqueline Laurita’s son Nicholas diagnosed with autism

Aug, 22, 2012 | AUTHOR: Lindsay; | Related : Jacqueline Laurita, Real Housewives of New Jersey

Jacqueline Laurita and her son Nicholas

Having a third child was not an easy feat for Jacqueline Laurita. The Real Housewives of New Jersey star had tried for years to conceive a sibling for her daughter, Ashlee, and son Chris, but it wasn’t happening for her. After several miscarriages, Jacqueline finally gave birth to Nicholas in 2009. Because of the difficulties she faced, once he finally arrived, Jacqueline was over the moon, celebrating and appreciating each of his milestones in a big way.

Once Nicholas reached 18 months old, Jacqueline started to notice a change in her son. His speech and motor skills stopped progressing and he even began refusing to answer to his name. Jacuqeline also notes that he wouldn’t react to someone entering a room. It was every parent’s worst nightmare — what was wrong with her son?

Nicholas Laurita

“We had no idea what was going on,” Jacqueline explains to PEOPLE Magazine. After taking Nicholas to his doctor, Jacqueline finally got an answer. Her son was autistic.

During the filming of season 4, Jacqueline and her husband, Chris Laurita, had been dealing with the diagnosis and it wasn’t easy. She didn’t want to reveal her son’s handicap for the cameras so she kept it to herself. Ironically, she infamously had a breakdown in the middle of filming. No word on if the breakdown had anything to do with Nicholas’ diagnosis.

Now, she’s focused on finding any way to help Nicholas move forward. ”I worry about him being independent when he’s older. I spend all my time researching what we can do for him,” she says.

Jacqueline Laurita and Nicholas

“You never want to think that your child isn’t perfectly healthy. We didn’t want to believe it was true,” Chris adds. Chris’ business has recently faced financial problems but he’s invested in the successful BLK Water which should allow him more time to spend with his son.

For more of Jacqueline Laurita, tune in to Real Housewives of New Jersey every Sunday night at 10/9c.

href="http://statcounter.com/" target="_blank"> class="statcounter"
src="http://c.statcounter.com/8335729/0/f1676568/1/"
alt="web analytics">

spacer

You also might like

No items

Gwyn

I know this is HORRIBLE to say, and I feel bad saying it, but this is an example of why after failing a few times you should stop trying. If I remember correctly she had over 5 miscarriages?
I feel like she should have been concentrating on the child she did have, the one spinning out of control. Again, I feel bad saying this.
- Gwyn
  
  Autism is a hard thing to go through. And the next few years are going to be tough for them.
- Nathan
  
  How do her prior miscarriages have anything to do with autism?
  - tab
    
    there is some research that shows autism/aspergers may have a genetic link. maybe the above poster was trying to say her body was trying to give her a message by making that statement?
- Liz
  
  My mom had several miscarriages before my sister was born and in between the two of us. Both of us came out perfectly fine. Both my aunt and great grandmother also had a lot of trouble with miscarriages and conceiving and all their children were perfectly healthy as well. I’m really happy they didn’t have your attitude and dismiss it as not meant to be. You’re right, that was a horrible thing to say.
- Babyvamp
  
  I agree with Gwyn. They should have taken it as a sign that it wasn’t meant to be. I’ve seen firsthand how terrible autism can be….and it affects the whole household. People don’t realize that even if their child is showing tremendous improvement, it could change at any moment. You’re basically holding your breath. I also agree she should have focused on being a mother and providing Ashley with some guidance….not trying to be her BFF and treating her to lip injections.
- Allison
  
  Kinda like when Kate Gosselin couldn’t get pregnant and opted for fertility treatments, resulting in twins and then sextuplets? Yeah, I see where you’re coming from.
- whoa
  
  i hate to say it as i feel it is insensitive, but i do agree with you :/. she was also over 35 so that put her child at risk of health issues.
  - ameliaBedelia76
    
    who are you to tell people when they are done having kids? It wasn’t her age you idiot. It was the way this child was created. You are cruel and ignorant
InWonderland

My heart breaks for her. That’s such a hard thing to deal with. She is such a sweet, caring mother though. I know that she’ll have the compassion and heart to deal with it better than a lot of other people.

As far as the previous commenter, I think you should be ashamed of yourself. Do a little bit of research on autism. There’s no research to back up miscarriages or fertility treatments to the development of the disorder. That’s a really awful thing to say.
- El paso
  
  Well Dear Lord! They blame her for everything now don’t they! I wasn’t commenting about the autism We have 2 in our family Who we all love to death and worrie what will become of them when we are all gone its just awful to constantly Blame others when no one is perfect! Especially her daughter!
Caroline

She at least is very lucky to have the resources and live in a highly funded school district so hopefully he can get great help and have a wonderful life.I hope she takes time with him instead of the petty show fighting because her part is so important in his life. I have a teenager with autism and live in a remote area where there is no help without long travels. My child is in regular high school classes with straight A’s, plays a sport, has a few good friends and functions very well right now. There are always things people dont see like how my child hates certain textures of clothes or refuses certain foods still and the shyness will probably always be there. I had to give up everything(I mean no date nights no trips no life) for five years between ages 2-7 to fight for help in schools and help my child learn social skills but it was well worth it comparing him to the peers he had in preschool who did not have parents pushing for them.
1999

Autism is not a death sentence, nor is it the end of the world, and it should not be treated as such. I know a family with a son who has autism and they embrace it, always have. I just don’t understand why people react so negatively about autism. Keep in mind that there are different types of autism, some are high-functioning. A boy in my son’s class is high-functioning, and he is one of the top readers in their class. I always see his name on the Honor Roll as well. I wish people weren’t so ignorant about things like autism, but such is life.
chacha

If anyone can deal with this, I am sure that herself, as well as her husband and family can. They seem like really good parents.
Moanique

Gwen… How effin dare you say such a thing like that. Miscarriages have nothing to do with Autism. Its almost as if youre saying “thats what she gets” My 2 1/2 yr old son was just diagnosed, and its ignorant, spiteful “people” like you that discriminate against these poor babies. Karma is a mofo. And yes.. Im wishing you ill!! ; )
- whoa
  
  all she said was that maybe it wasn’t meant to be because she had all those miscarriages and since she wasn’t able to have another baby, focus on the ones she DOES have. i don’t think she’s saying that that’s what she deserves, you’re jumping to conclusions.
Jessica

Autism is a challenge, but it is not the end of the world. Many people with autsim grow up to be fully functional, happy people. I’m sure with his family’s support Nicholas will do just fine. Good luck to the Laurita family.
Bobbie Woody

Jacqueline, I am so glad that you let us know. I knew something was wrong. I thought that you were having a breakdown due to being demonized by Teresa’s fan base. I recently voted that you should be taken off the show. I didn’t want the show to destroy your spirit and your gentile character. I am a 62 year old African American. I know you are an extremely nice person. You and your family will be fine. I have a nephew who has the same illness. I firmly believe that by the time your son is in his teenage years, there will be a cure or a medicine that can control the this illness. Please know that a lot of people are pulling for you and your son. Have a wonderful day.
http://twitter.com/jean_mcdermott Jean McDermott

Jacqueline,
My heart goes out to you with Nicholas being diagnosised with autism. I am confiendent you have found many different therapies available to you, as New Jersey has numerous behavioral therapy services. As a mother of a 14 year old son diagnosised back in 2000, you and your family will know what therapy will work best for Nicholas. We tried various things and found Lovass’ ABA and speech therapy worked best for our son and countinue to work on social skills as a teenager entering a private Catholic High School next year. At age 13, he is now advocating for autism and produced a short awareness video from a presentation he gave to his 7th grade classmates. I hope and pray Nicholas makes great strides in his early intervention therapy.
Remember, three steps forward one step back is quite normal with Autism. I always try to joke on those tough days…and say”My mama, always said there will be days like this…”
El Paso

I wouldn’t be surprised if Jacquelyn say’s It’s Teresa’s fault!!