Noella Bergener from The Real Housewives of Orange County is being open and honest about her son Jame Jr’s recent autism diagnosis. The new castmate to talk more about her family life since season 16 is only two episodes along. What fans do know about Noella’s family life is her husband James is a lawyer, who has billboards all over California that refer to him as ‘Sweet James’. However, what viewers do know is she and James may not be on the best of terms anymore.
Shortly after production for RHOC season 16 began, Noella filed for legal separation from James, her husband of more than a year. The news of the split came after it was reported that James allegedly owes the IRS and the State of California around $5.8 million. Noella alleges that she had no idea about James’s money issues and is even looking to help settle her husband’s debts. Since their split, Noella has put her focus on her children and not her husband.
In an exclusive interview with People, the mother of two spoke about overcoming her misconceptions of autism after her two-year-old son was diagnosed earlier this year. Since Noella didn’t know much about the disorder, she initially thought her son’s diagnosis was a “death sentence.” The reality star first noticed there was an issue with her bundle of joy when she noticed the few words that he had learned were regressing at only 18 months old. Even though Noella, who was ditched by former friend Braunwyn Windham-Burke, was told by her friends that James Jr. was likely fine, she decide to get a second opinion. Noella took her son to see a pathologist this past May, where she was told her son had autism. Noella was left “completely devastated” when she heard the news. “The word autism just feels like cancer in many ways when you’re a parent. It’s just such a big word, and it can overwhelm you,” she exclusively told the publication.
Noella added that she realizes that she lacked the proper education and initially thought her young son wasn’t going to have the life she had hoped for him. Noella, who was shocked by Heather Dubrow’s accusations, noted that after she left the doctor’s office, she cried in her car for quite some time. After coming to terms with the diagnosis, Noella started putting James Jr. in early intervention programs with the help of speech pathologists and pediatricians, which she says has helped her son improve. Despite her misconception, Noella’s son is very bright and already knows nows “his numbers and letters.” While James Jr. won’t be appearing on RHOC with her this year, she hopes her openness about her journey with her son’s autism will “help other families and really get the word out on how important early intervention is.”
Despite Noella’s worry about her son’s autism diagnosis, in the beginning, she is now looking forward to using her platform on RHOC to help other mothers and fathers whose children have the same diagnosis as her son. She is hopeful other parents will watch her journey and seek help for the children as quickly as possible.
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo.
Source: People