Holly Peete discusses her son's autism and more

[Guest guest]

Holly Peete discusses her son's autism and more

By Joyce, CBB Correspondent

http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2007/04/holly_robinson_.html

Holly Actress Holly Peete recently spoke to Essence magazine

about the hardships of juggling a career and family and the even

greater difficulty of tackling autism and erasing the stigma

associated with it.

Holly's eldest son, Rodney, Jr., 9 1/2, with husband, ex-quarterback

Rodney Peete, was diagnosed with the disorder at the age of 3, which

Holly cites as the most devastating time in her life next to her

father's Parkinson's diagnosis. The news put a strain on the two's

marriage - already suffering from Rodney's absence while he played in

the NFL - and was only exacerbated when Rodney and Holly's mother

refused to accept doctors' diagnosis. Angered, Holly issued an

ultimatum to both: be supportive or leave.

I was going to leave my husband and divorce my mom. I knew we had

to roll up our sleeves and not go into denial. With autism, early

intervention is important. We had to get those therapies going.

Her husband and mother eventually got onboard and sought treatment for

Rodney, Jr. Nowadays, Rodney, Jr. is a friendly and outgoing young boy

who's currently being mainstreamed at school. The earlier years,

however, weren't so bright as Holly learned how insensitive other

people can be.

You really find out who your friends are. When your kid is

struggling at 4, being disruptive, and he stops getting invited to

parties and play dates, it hurts.

The actress also confesses that, for a short period of time, she too

was in denial about Rodney, Jr.'s condition, only to realize she

should count her blessings.

I had this moment when Rod was in this school where many of the

kids were much more severely affected than he was - he was like the

poster boy. That's when I thought, 'This could be so much worse.'

A devoted mom, Holly has put her career second behind focusing on

Rodney, Jr. and raising her three other children, daughter and Rodney,

Jr's twin, and sons , 4 1/2, and Roman, 2, a

decision she consciously made and has absolutely no regrets about.

After I started having kids, I really didn't want to do film.

Holly prefers television acting instead because of its consistent

filming schedule, allowing time for her family. Her latest endeavor,

Football Wives, a pilot for ABC's possible fall line-up, is good for

her family values, she says.

Rodney says to me, 'The nonprofits are nice, but Mama needs to do

a little for-profit now.' Time to get back to work!