Singer Toni Braxton has claimed in a television interview last week that her 13-year-old son no longer has autism spectrum disorder. Braxton said that Diezel no longer shows signs of having autism and is said to be off the autism spectrum.
"My youngest son, as everyone knows, my son Diezel suffers from - or I should say suffered from autism. I am one of the lucky parents," Braxton said in an interview with Access Hollywood Live. Braxton added that early diagnosis of autism "changes everything" and she wants everyone to know that.
Toni Braxton says her son, 13, has been 'CURED' of autism and shows 'no signs' of disorder ... - https://t.co/ph3suCB9cf #GoogleAlerts
— Sensory Friends (@sensoryf) August 8, 2016
The Daily Mail reported that it has been 10 years since Diezel was diagnosed with autism. Braxton was then reportedly contacted by Suzanne Wright, the co-founder of Autism Speaks. Wright gave Braxton advice on how to help Diezel deal with his autism. Wright passed away last month.
"She's been an advocate in helping me so much. I miss her already. I mean, I can't believe she's gone," Braxton said of Wright. Braxton eventually became national spokesperson for Autism Speaks in 2007 and became a Global Autism Ambassador for the group in 2012.
The Unbreak My Heart singer now describes her son as a "social butterfly", according to Essence. According to Global News, Braxton said in her 2014 memoir that she felt that Diezel's autism was a punishment from God because of an earlier abortion she had. "My initial rage was quickly followed by another strong emotion: guilt. I knew I'd taken a life [and] I believed God's payback was to give my son autism," said Braxton.
In the television interview, Braxton said she believes that there is nothing wrong with children with autism and that they just learn differently. The Braxton Family Values star added that her son Diezel is doing fine and that she is very proud of her son. Diezel also reportedly plays and hang out with friends all the time.
