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Nick Cannon and Abby de la Rosa have a strong support system in their fans after sharing their 2-year-old son’s autism diagnosis.
“Today our family recognizes World Autism Awareness Day which is beyond meaningful to us because our amazing 2 year old, Zillion, was recently diagnosed with ASD – joining the unique energy of others like Niko Telsa, Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Michael Angelo, just to name a few dynamic individuals,” the pair — who are also parents to Zillion’s twin brother, Zion, and 16-month-old daughter Beautiful Zeppelin — wrote in a joint Instagram post on Tuesday, April 2. “Our beautiful boy experiences life in 4D and teaches us something new everyday! His love, strength and brilliance light up every room he enters! We are blessed that God had placed such an amazing spirit under our guardianship and we have accepted this assignment wholeheartedly!”
Cannon and de la Rosa concluded their message by “extend[ing] our embrace to families worldwide, acknowledging shared challenges and championing understanding. Together, let’s create a world of acceptance and compassion. #onthespectrum #autismawareness #sensoryplay.”
Their candid post — which featured footage from the family’s Easter celebration — was met with many welcomes to the autism community.
Getty Images/Paras Griffin
“Welcome to the community!!!! Let’s continue to advocate, educate and celebrate our children ❤️,” one follower wrote.
“I’m an autism mommy to a witty and funny 3 year old boy! Living life on a different spectrum and loving it ❤️ Welcome to the Community!” shared another.
Others praised Cannon and de la Rosa for their support as parents.
“He will thrive having you as his support and advocate! God gave you a special gift with this sweet baby! 💙,” one social media user penned, while a different commenter predicted that “Zillion will be a leader helping others and Zion will be there to protect.”
“Love love love ur perspective and outlook🤍🙌,” wrote another fan.
Cannon and de la Rosa also expanded on their initial announcement.
“My brilliant little guy! We love you Zilly!” the Masked Singer host, 43, commented on the original post. De La Rosa, for her part, shared an Instagram Story detailed the family’s glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt, which she and Cannon chose to do in order to “cater to Zillion’s sensory needs,” which the little boy “absolutely loved.”
Including his three children with de la Rosa, Cannon is a father of 12 altogether: He shares twins Moroccan and Monroe, 12, with ex-wife Mariah Carey; son Golden Sagon, 7, daughter Powerful Queen, 3, and son Rise Messiah, 18 months, with Brittany Bell; son Legendary Love, 20 months, with Bre Tiesi, and daughter Onyx Ice, 18 months, with LaNisha Cole. He is also father to Halo Marie, 15 months, with Alyssa Scott. (Cannon and Scott’s son Zen died in December 2021 from a brain tumor. He was 5 months old.)
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.