Brittany, a 36-year-old mom who stars on the TV show The Valley, shared some exciting news on Instagram. She announced that she and her son, Cruz, have started a group called Cruz’s Crew with help from Autism Speaks. This group is meant to help families with autism feel supported and to teach people more about autism.
Brittany’s blog post also talked about raising Cruz since he was diagnosed with Autism. “It has had its difficult moments, but I’ve found that in many ways it has been rewarding,” she stated, adding, “I have come to realize how vital it is to get support early, and being part of a caring, accepting group can help you so much.”
Creating Inclusive Moments Through Cruz’s Crew
Cruz’s Crew officially started with a special playday at Chuck E. Cheese. The restaurant made the event sensory-friendly, which means they adjusted the lights and sounds so children who get easily overwhelmed, like Cruz, could play comfortably. Brittany said, “Seeing Cruz light up and connect with other families meant the world! Through Cruz’s Crew, we’ll keep helping families enjoy fun, inclusive experiences like this.”
Understanding Cruz’s Diagnosis and Daily Life
Cruz was diagnosed with autism six months before Brittany spoke with PEOPLE magazine. At first, he seemed to be developing normally. He crawled and walked early, and he even started talking. He said words like “Mommy” and “Daddy,” and repeated things he heard on TV. But as he approached his second birthday, Brittany noticed he began losing words he already knew. Eventually, he became nonverbal primarily.
Even though Cruz does not speak as often as other people do, “he finds different ways of showing his love,” Brittany stated. “Sometimes it is hard to show love when my son never tells me ‘I love you,’ but he shows me every day,” she said. “He is just a mama’s boy.”
Brittany said her life has changed significantly since learning that Cruz was autistic. “This is an entirely new world for me,” she explained. “As far as I know, none of my neighbors with children have children who have autism, so sometimes this feels like being alone.” “Everyone wants to support us, but there is so much to learn about autism. There are many details that most people will not be able to fully understand,” she said.
Therapies, Stimming, and How Brittany Supports Cruz
Cruz gets support in many ways. At preschool, he has a therapeutic companion to help him during the day. He also attends speech and occupational therapy several times a week. At home, he has a sensory room with a trampoline and calming lights. This helps him regulate when he’s overstimulated, or when he is “stimming,” which is a way some autistic children move or repeat actions to feel safe or happy.
Brittany explained some of Cruz’s stimming behaviors.
“Sometimes he puts his hand to his mouth and blows into it. Sometimes he spins in circles. He doesn’t flap his arms as much anymore. When he starts stimming, I join him. Sometimes I spin, sometimes I flap, or I just give him a tight hug. He loves strong hugs.”
Through Cruz’s Crew, Brittany is showing that children with autism can be happy, supported, and celebrated, and that parents don’t have to walk this road alone.
Early support and compassion matter so much
At Nevada Autism Center, we are genuinely inspired by Brittany’s story. Many families face the same challenges as Brittany and her family; finding out what their children need, creating a safe place for them to grow and develop, and building a team of supporters who will be there throughout their journey. Stories such as Brittany’s remind us of how important it is to have a supportive community, to receive support in the early years, and to show our children compassion and understanding.
For Autism Therapy & Extra support
If your child needs autism therapy, speech support, occupational therapy, behavioral help, or just a caring team who understands, we are here for you in Las Vegas.
Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or looking for extra support along the way, Nevada Autism Center is ready to walk with you, step by step, with kindness and understanding.
