"I, his mother, am, and always have been, his ONLY care provider. This 'job' is my life (other than caring for 13 other children singlehandedly). My children are my LIFE," Suleman explained.
"Octomom" Nadya Suleman has revealed her 14-year-old Aidan has autism.
Suleman, 44, opened up about her son's special needs in a lengthy Instagram post on Monday.
'Octomom' Nadya Suleman Blames the 'Parasitic' Media for Those Angelina Jolie Plastic Surgery Rumors
View Story"This is my adolescent infant Aidan. He is 14 years old, going on one in his head. Aidan is severely autistic and [needs] total care," she began in the caption to a video of Aidan playing outside. "He requires complete assistance in meeting all needs in activities of daily living. Aidan is non-verbal, requires feeding, changing (he is not potty trained), bathing, and one-to-one supervision, as he has no safety awareness and would walk aimlessly into traffic. I, his mother, am, and always have been, his ONLY care provider. This 'job' is my life (other than caring for 13 other children singlehandedly). My children are my LIFE."
The mom of 14 then discussed "permanent disabilities" she suffers from and how they won't stop her from "physically" caring for her Aidan.
"All discs in my lumbar spine are ruptured, which press on nerve roots causing bilateral sciatica, irreparable sacral damage, and peripheral neuropathy," Suleman said. "Despite my broken back, and relentless pain, I continue to physically care for my son, and will never give up on him. Aidan has been off two months for summer and attends a special needs school during the year. I love him with all my heart, and will care for him until I die."
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Suleman went on to recall the struggles she experienced with her son Monday morning after she dropped off her other children for their first day of school.
"I took Aidan to the park, feeding and following him until he grew tired," she said. "He engaged in a meltdown (dropped to ground, threw water bottles, took off shoes and propelled those at my head). As soon as we arrived home I bathed, changed and fed exhausted Aidan and held him until he fell asleep."
She added, "Aidan's circadian rhythm is discombobulated as he tends to wake from 2am staying up till after 5am, singing and jumping in his homemade crib, next to my bed.
Carey Hart Attacked by 'Parenting Police' Over Video of 2-Year-Old Son Without Life Jacket
View StorySuleman concluded by expressing why she decided to share the news of her son's condition.
"First, to describe the details of my REAL life, not a 'perfect' depiction of what I want people to perceive my life to be," she wrote. "Second, to provide a contextualization for both my supportive followers, and the condemnatory critics, as to what truly matters in my life: my family. Forgive me kind, supportive followers for failing to post frequently. I am a bit busy. #AutismMom #ILoveMyFamily
Suleman famously made headlines in 2009 when she gave birth to octuplets -- six boys and two girls -- via in vitro fertilization, earning the nickname "Octomom." The California native already had six other children, who were also conceived by IVF.
Suleman opened up about her life with her 14 children in a rare interview with The New York Times last December. She revealed at the time that she and her children live in a three-bedroom townhouse in California. Suleman said the kids are all vegan, help with cooking and eat in shifts. Some of the children also are forced to sleep on the couch in the small home.
Got a story or a tip for us? Email TooFab editors at tips@toofab.com.