Holly Robinson Peete Shares 'Transcendent Pivotal Moment' After Son RJ Was Diagnosed with Autism (Exclusive)
The actress shares her four kids with husband Rodney Peete — twins RJ and Ryan as well as sons Robbie and Roman
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Holly Robinson Peete and son RJHolly Robinson Peete is sharing an update on her son RJ.
The actress, 60, spoke with PEOPLE at the Lexus UPTOWN Honors Hollywood in Hollywood, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 and was asked about her oldest son, who was diagnosed with autism at an early age.
"When I tell you the blessing of this young man, how when he was 3 years old, he was told he would never do a laundry list of things," Robinson Peete says, tearing up. "We call that the 'never day.'"
"And if you fast forward all the way to 2024 when he just got his second World Series ring with the Dodgers working with them," Robinson Peete says of RJ, who was been working for the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2016. "Now, he just started his 10th season. It's like...won't [God] do it? You know, it's a won't he do it moment."
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Rodney Peete, Holly Robinson Peete, Ryan Peete, RJ Peete, Roman Peete and Robinson Peete at the Hollyrod 2023 Designcare Gala held at The Beehive on July 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Asked what the turning point was for her son, the mom of four says that it was finding his passion that truly changed RJ's life.
"So this autism journey has been a wild ride. I call it the autism express," she says. "I think when he got a job when he was 18 working for the Dodgers, that was the transcendent, pivotal moment because not only did he get a job, he'd been able to keep it."
"A lot of times, our kids don't keep jobs because no one supports them. They need a little extra support," Robinson Peete continues. "So I just love that the Dodgers have embraced him, given him friends, dignity, a paycheck and self advocacy. It's so beautiful."
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Rodney Peete, Holly Robinson Peete, RJ Peete, Roman Peete, and Ryan Elizabeth Peete at the Hollyrod 2023 Designcare Gala held at The Beehive on July 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Since 2016, RJ has been working with the Dodgers, where he serves as a clubhouse attendant. He was hired after Dodgers executive Lon Rosen saw an episode of the family’s reality television series, For Peete’s Sake, which focused on helping RJ land a job.
“Everybody here has my back and they are always here for me no matter what,” he told the LA Times in August 2023. “These are the best friends I’ve ever had. I love these guys and I love being around these guys. I look up to them.”
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