Brittany Cartwright Opens Up About Son Cruz’s Autism Diagnosis
Reality television personality Brittany Cartwright, known for her role on The Valley, has recently revealed that her three-year-old son, Cruz Michael Cauchi, whom she shares with estranged husband Jax Taylor, has been diagnosed with autism. In an insightful interview with People, conducted on April 9, 2025, Cartwright candidly discussed the challenges and experiences that led to this diagnosis, which was confirmed in the fall of 2024.
“He crawled early, he walked early,”Cartwright recounts. “He was talking, he was saying, ‘Mommy,’ ‘Daddy.’ He was saying ‘Hot Dog!’ from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Then, as he got closer to 2, we started noticing that he was regressing in his speech. He stopped talking almost completely,”she shared.
This revelation followed a tumultuous period for the couple, as they publicly announced their separation in February 2024. As Cruz approaches his fourth birthday on April 12, Cartwright is dedicated to equipping her son with the necessary tools and resources through early intervention therapies.
“Our life is going to look a little bit different, but I feel like I was meant to be his mom,” she expressed to People. “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,”she added.
Therapeutic Journey and Family Support
In response to Cruz’s developmental regression, Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor began implementing speech and occupational therapy shortly after their concerns emerged. Their family’s journey was documented during the inaugural season of Bravo’s The Valley, which aired in 2024. Cartwright later confirmed that a developmental pediatrician provided Cruz’s autism diagnosis just before the filming of season 2 wrapped up, with the new season set to premiere on April 15.
Reflecting on their challenges in a February 2024 interview with E! News, Cartwright noted how rapidly situations had evolved. While Cruz remains primarily nonverbal, she mentioned that he has begun to utter occasional words like “Mommy.”Despite the emotional hurdles of their journey, Cartwright highlighted her son’s affectionate disposition and maintained hope for a promising future.
“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,”she stated.
“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. It doesn’t mean that he’s not going to be the smartest in his class. It doesn’t mean he is not going to work for NASA one day. There aren’t any limitations to what he can do,”Brittany conveyed.
Creating a Supportive Environment
Currently, Cartwright prioritizes early developmental support for Cruz. He receives dedicated speech and occupational therapy multiple times a week and has the assistance of a therapeutic companion during preschool to help him enhance his social and communication skills. At their home in Los Angeles, Cartwright has designed a sensory-friendly environment featuring a swing set, trampoline, pool, and a specialized sensory room to cater to Cruz’s needs.
Concluding her interview, Brittany Cartwright expressed her pride in Cruz, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive outlook during challenging times.
“I’m proud of everything about Cruz, and I try to stay positive in hard times,”she shared.