I just saw the reunion bc I waited to see how you were doing! I want to tell you I pray for you and your family. But I PRAY you SEE THIS.... please check into HYPERBARIC treatments. It helps everything heal. But brain injuries and autistic people see results as well. It is NOT cheap. I did it for my husband who had a TBI. But I recommended it to friends who have children at 3 getting diagnosed as well. Their kids are sleeping better, some talking again, some able to do more. You NEVER know the result you can achieve bc every person's brain areas that are affected are different but you can scan and see the changes! I just want to help anyone and know how hard it is to watch your love one and kid cope with life challenging medical issues. 

I'm not sure where they do it near you but there are two centers here in the panhandle of florida.. Dr Zant is the dr and Hyperbaric Medicine is the office in Fort Walton Beach and in Panama City. You could call and let him recommend one near you as they work together and the government has used them for soldiers returning with TBIs as well the 5 drs working together.

HUGS you have a beautiful family. Your heart is just like mine and I feel your pain. All the best with love!

I wish you and your family all the best.  You have great support with both of your families and all the information out there.  My thoughts are with you both.  Keep strong!

Jacqueline and Chris-My 9 year old daughter has autism-I understand what you are going through and not everyone can handle having an autistic child. Sometimes it can get rough, but I always tell myself that I was chosen to take care of my daughter no matter what.  I feel blessed to have her in our lives everyday, and of all the "Housewives" from NJ, O.C.,NYC, BH etc. you and Chris are the most grounded and equipped to care for him and God was looking out for Nicholas when he blessed you with him. This is not the end of your world-there is so much hope and research for autism that is yet to come!  Thank you for sharing your story with us and others so everyone can understand the puzzle of autism.

Jacqueline and Chris, I am so sorry to hear about Nicholas. I watch your show every week and think very highly of your family. I am sure that you will both do whatever you can to help your son. You both are great parents. I hate to see you struggle with all the nonsense with Teresa and Joe. They are not even on the same level as the two of you are. I will keep your family in my prayers!!

Terri

jacqueline , ny heart is torn for, you, that your child has autism , i hope he will recover in the future, God has gis plans in store , just hope and believe, but morely have faith , because faith without work is dead , i decree and declared that the lord will make a way some hope jacquelinelaurita 

I wish you fortitude.  I too have walked in those shoes, and it's a heck of a journey.  It's scary and it sucks.  Get all the information you can, and make the best decisions you can.  Some will be right.  Some will be wrong.  We all want our children to be as happy and and healthy as they can be.  My son will never be independent, we're working on toilet training still and some days he doesn't talk to anything except his computer, and he just had his 18th birthday.  However, he's the happiest boy in the world and in perfect health.  I had to adjust my expectations for him, but so what? 

You've got the strength and support to make sure Nicholas has exactly what he needs.  He couldn't have a better advocate!  My only real piece of advice is that YOU will always know him and what he should have, better than anyone else and don't let a doctor or a teacher tell you differently.  Ever.

Chris and Jacqueline,

         It's really difficult to know what to say to you two....

    Just keep your faith in God and everything will be fine...

 God will help you in anyway that you need him....Jenny McCarthy has a son with Austim and she has learned the best way of taking care of him....and her son is making huge progress...

    I will keep your entire family in my thoughts a prayers... I know that Nicholas will be fine, he has 2 great parents........ 

Jacqueline, I am sure that you did what you felt was the right thing to do for your family. I know you will get thru this with the constant support of your husband.

I'm a mom with an autistic child and was a therapist for in-home autism for 5 yrs.  You have love, you have a diagnosis and a beautiful son.  TACA is a wonderful organization.  Find the chapter near you.  Find out your state's advocacy groups.  Find blogs.  Find DAN Dr. You will find support, answers and hope!  Autism is as unique as every individual who has it in their life.  You need to find your own path, but don't ever, EVER try to walk it alone. 

Good luck. there are lots of programs out there to help autistic children. I work for one. they provide many different therapies and parent relief

I will not say sorry to you because I have a son with autism and he is now 16 and in High School and in regular school and half regular classes and half special ed. he is doing well Just don't run out and try all these different things there is no cure you have to just get him enrolled in programs early and work with him. Don't treat him any differently then a child without special needs. well goodluck. and don't get depressed god give special kids to special people who could handle special kids. My mom told me that and i believe that with all of my heart.

oh jacqueline im so sorry .  i can help you .  i live in nj as well (morris county).  i have 4 children and my youngest son was diagnosed with autism at 18 mos old .  he lost his diagnosis at 5 and is fully recovered.  i am a member of t.a.c.a. and d.a. n. (sorry no capitols my computer is not working )   anyway, i am with the same belief as jenny mccarthy . she too recovered her son and is a spokesperson for taca.  please dont believe people who say its not possible. i watched it before my eyes.  my son came back to me.  there are many different therapies and teatments.  for my son it was 50€ percent biomedical treatments such as diet, supplembents, boosting immune system and detoxing the body and 50 percent educational therapy, such as verbal behavior. we have excellent therapists in our area.  the biomedical therapy helped my son become available to learn. like he woke up but we still had to teach him and thats where verbal behavior came in.  i ended up leaving my career as a dental hygienist and dedicating my life to children and families with autism.  please read "finding anthony" by christie burnett.  today my son is 10 yrs old and a typical boy. he plays football and has lots of friends.  you would never know that at 3 he didnt speak and didnt understand language.  please "believe" in recovery and have faith . day by day!!!

Jacqueline i just wanted to send my love and support to you and your family!! I wil pray for you and your family!! You are an awesome mother!

www.autismspeaks.org/    

If you have time to go to this page it has a lot of information that might be helpful.  They have family services, resource guides, it better explains autism; it's just all around a great site to check into.  I have family that are autistic; 3 cousins in one family; and I have also worked in health care many years with people of all ages that have autism.  It's not always easy but it's ALWAYS worth the time and energy that you put into each moment of each day. I'm a fellow Las Vegas gal, and I know the support of your family and the will that you two have to make sure Nicholas' life is "normal" (what ever his normal is meant to be), he's going to thrive beyond belief having his family doing everything possible to make sure things are done right.  You and Chris are fantastic parents and the love you have for your children is what keeps them always knowing you are going to be by their side when ever they are in need.  You have a great family, and so many blessings; even if in times like this it doesn't seem like that. Keep faith in all that you do and all done will be what's right. You are all in our prayers.

Hi Jacqueline, I've been following your show for awhle and you don't need Teresa as a friend! She is a fake friend and she blames everyone for what she has done. Please keep your head high, she is not worth a piss hole in the snow!!!!

I know that this news is upsetting but I want to assure you with love and support you can get through.  My son was diagnosed at 18 months and had no words until age 4. Now he is 9 and non-stop chatting away. He had early intervention until age 3 with little progress.  We didn't  have any further resources in our area and he had only has had me for the past six years and he is doing so well. It does get better and being the great mother that you are you being able to be home with him will make a huge difference. Someone told me shortly after our diagnosis that God gives special children to special people and I believe that to be true. My son is such a blessing and I thank God everyday that he chose me to be his mom.  I know you and your family will be fine and I will keep you in our prayers.

jacqueline, people with austim are some of the sweetest people i know, i have a rare disorder as well as learn disablities. with god help you and chirs will guide your son in the way he need to be. check out austim speaks they will help and give the information you need. i will keep you in my prayers

god bless

gina starke from nebraska

Jacqueline,

 Good Morning! I just want to let you know that you and your family will be in my prayers. Please know that God will take care oLf everything. Please just go somewhere that you can be alone and really have a talk with God. Pray to Him and put all your faith and trust in Him and He will watch over Nicholas and you and Chris. Sometimes we wonder why these things have to happen to us but just know that God will be there always by your side. You must pray putting all your faith and heart into it. This is the only way we get the assurance that everything is going to be okay.  Both  you and Chris are both good people and great parents!! I pray to God that He gives you both the strength and courage to deal with whatever comes your way. God Bless Nicholas and your whole family. I promise I will be praying for you. Love you guys.Remember-WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!

Take care,

 Cynthia C.

Thank you for bringing your very personal story to the public.  We too have a son with autism, and we too noticed he just wasn't developing as we thought around 18 months.  We got early intervention and feel that makes all the difference.  He is 8 yrs. old now and going to start grade 3.  He has a lot of support at school for his needs, and we have support at home as well.  Honestly, I don't think that it ever gets easier, but it does change and you and your family will realize that is just how life with this child is meant to be.  Our son's story is different from any other family I have met or are friends with that have a child with autism ~ they are as individual in their being as they are in their diagnosis.   My son also has ADHD, and when Caroline opened up about Albie's challenges it really stuck with me, because right now that is our son's biggest challenge.  I took a lot from her insight and comments, that I know families starting their journey of finding out their child has autism well get from your story.

Jacqueline,

Has Faith in God.  Do that, and everything will be fine.  You, Nicholas and your Family will be all right, I am sure of it.  I will have you and your Family in my Prayers.  REMEMBER THIS ALWAYS:  FOR THE HUMAN BEINGS THERE ARE LIMITS, BUT FOR GOD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

God Bless you, Nicholas and your Family.

Yolanda Garcia Berdecia

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Best of luck sweetie...I have a special needs child on the autism spectrum and I know it can be tough, but rewarding as well.

Hi Jaqueline, I heard the news and just want to send a message of support.  You are a great mom to all your children and have a BIG heart.  I can see that clearly.  I am sure that you and your husband will get the support baby Nicholas needs and he will be just fine.  They are making tons of stride in Autism Awareness!  God bless you, your family and Nicholas.  Praying for strength and progress!  XOXO

Jacqueline,

I am here sending you positive thoughts your way.  My son Lucas was diagnosed with Autism with Moderate Developmental Delays 7 years ago.  Although the road can be a hard one to walk on, just know, that this road is being walked on by many other families.  My son's Autism has given me a new look on life.  Be strong and know that you have a community that shares your struggle.  Blessings to you and your family.

Susan

Jacqueline, my son is 5 years old and has been diagnosed since 2. With therapy, love and support, it gets better, think positive! It is a bumpy road but the rewards are amazing. Love.

Andy 

Jacqueline, I have a son and a daughter that are both autistic. It may seem bleak and confusing right now, but I can tell you that things do get better. My son was 5 when we were told that he was autistic, then were told that we needed to put him somewhere where they could handle him. My husband and I  refused and today he has graduated from high school and is currently looking into getting a job and maybe starting a trade school next fall. Our daughter was diagnosed when she was 3 and were told to do the same with her. Thank God we are stubborn people. She is a junior in high school and is a wonderful artist. She is planning to open a tattoo business after going to a local collage for a fine arts degree. The best advise that i would give you and Chris is to follow your gut if it doesn't feel right for you and your son don't do it no matter who the professional is. I will tell you that it is a very tough road and that there are still thing that my kids have difficult with. They needed rigid structure when they were younger. Everything from meal time to bath time had to be the same everyday. we had picture charts hanging in every room of our home to keep them calm. I know that you are a bit overwhelmed right now but it does get better and once your son starts with small little achivements they will keep coming. I never thought that I would see the day that my son walked across the stage to get his diploma. Hang in there and just remember that you and your husband are your son's voice.

Jacqueline, you are in good company as the parent of a child with autism. My youngest son is living with Asperger's Syndrome. It is absolutely not the life I planned for him but obviously someone had bigger plans. 

I just read the article about your son having Autism.  I have two children who have autism.  My son was diagnosised at 18 months and he is non verbal.  You are a wonderful mother and I know this is going to be a challenge but one I know you will over come.  There has been so much progress in terms of treatment since my son was digansosed.  I will continue to keep your family in my prayers

That is very sad news.  I'm sorry to hear it. 

I wish them the best of luck but am surprised they are going to a magazine with this story when it appears she does not like when people give articles to the press. Although this is a very serious issue, I'm surprised she went this route.