Brittany Cartwright has revealed her and estranged husband Jax Taylor’s son Cruz has been diagnosed with autism. 

The Vanderpump Rules star’s three-year-old, who is mostly nonverbal, received his diagnosis from his developmental pediatrician in the fall after a regression in his verbal skills. 

‘He crawled early, he walked early,’ Cartwright told People. ‘He was talking, he was saying, “Mommy,” “Daddy.” He was saying “H๏τ Dog!” from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Then, as he got closer to 2, we started noticing that he was regressing in his speech.’ 

The mother-of-one detailed how ‘stopped talking almost completely’ ahead of his second birthday, which prompted her and Taylor to put him in speech and occupational therapy right away. 

Their journey looking for answers was documented on the first season of their hit reality show, The Valley, which aired last year. 

‘It can be difficult because I’ve never heard him say, “I love you,” but he is so loving, and he shows me he loves me every single day,’ Cartwright added. ‘He is such a mommy’s boy.’

Brittany Cartwright has revealed her and estranged husband Jax Taylor’s son Cruz has been diagnosed with autism; seen in 2023

Before getting his diagnosis, Cartwright said she and Taylor were ‘expecting’ the news, but that hearing it from Cruz’s doctor made it ‘real.’

‘Our life is going to look a little bit different, but I feel like I was meant to be his mom,’ she said. ‘He is my better half. He is my little partner in crime. He is everything to me, and even though he can’t talk, I know everything that he wants, everything that he needs. We’re just so synced, it’s incredible.’

Read More Brittany Cartwright breaks her silence on ex Jax Taylor’s cocaine addiction

Prior to announcing the news,  Cartwright explained she and her ex kept his diagnosis to themselves and their closest family and friends for six months.

While telling her loved ones, she said she provided them a written paragraph talking about his diagnosis, what it meant and how they were working on it.

Additionally, she shared with them that she felt ‘meant for this.’ 

‘Yes, it might be challenging at times, but I couldn’t imagine my life being different,’  Cartwright continued. ‘It can be sad at times because you want them to live life to the fullest, and he does, he just does it in a different way. What I really want people to understand about autism is he sees the world so much more vibrant and amazing than any of us ever will.’

The Kentucky native added that her son’s diagnosis won’t prevent him from being ‘the smartest in his class’ or working ‘for NASA one day.’

‘There aren’t any limitations to what he can do,’ she declared. 

The Vanderpump Rules star’s three-year-old, who is mostly nonverbal, received his diagnosis from his developmental pediatrician in the fall after a regression in his verbal skills

‘He crawled early, he walked early,’ Cartwright told People. ‘He was talking, he was saying, “Mommy,” “Daddy.” He was saying “H๏τ Dog!” from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Then, as he got closer to 2, we started noticing that he was regressing in his speech’

At this time, she is focused on ‘early intervention’ as he continues to build ‘his brain.’ 

‘I’m just trying to do everything I possibly can to help him live the happiest life ever. I feel very blessed that I’m able to give him everything that he needs,’ she told the outlet. ‘I have learned so much over the past couple years.’ 

Cartwright has even made a sensory room for Cruz at her home in Los Angeles and noted that he goes to speech and occupational therapy several times a week.

Cruz also has a therapeutic companion that accompanies him to preschool every day.

This is to help with his social skills. 

The mother-of-one detailed how ‘stopped talking almost completely’ ahead of his second birthday, which prompted her and Taylor to put him in speech and occupational therapy right away

‘I just make sure that he never misses a class, never misses a therapy session,’ Cartwright explained. ‘If I have to work, I have the most amazing nanny in the entire world, she is literally my family. I don’t know what I would do without her. Sometimes Jax will take him. I want him to learn things as well, but the majority of the time, it’s me.’ 

Cartwright also gushed that watching Netflix’s reality series, Love on the Spectrum, which follows adults with autism navigating the dating world, has given her hope. 

‘It is the sweetest show,’ she raved. ‘They’re so positive, the way they look at life is just so full of joy and happiness, and if Cruz is anything like that I will be so happy. I hope he falls in love one day.’

While she tries to maintain a positive outlook,  the TV personality admitted that she has been struggling to ‘take care’ of herself.

While she tries to maintain a positive outlook, the TV personality admitted that she has been struggling to ‘take care’ of herself

‘It is definitely hard for me to accept help. My friends are always like, “You need to have a little bit more time for yourself.” I just feel like I need to be there 24/7,’ she confessed

‘It is definitely hard for me to accept help. My friends are always like, “You need to have a little bit more time for yourself.” I just feel like I need to be there 24/7,’ she confessed. ‘But’s that’s my new thing in 2025: I need to put myself first more.’

‘I need to focus on my health more. Going through this divorce and everything has really made me so much stronger. At the end of the day, everything I’m doing is because of my son,’ she reflected.

Despite the challenges, Cartwright explained seeing Cruz thrive has made her ‘so proud.

‘He is just the love of my life. He’s learning and growing every single day,’ she concluded. ‘I have my ups and downs — but I just feel like I can be proud of myself that I’m staying strong for my son.’