Emily Simpson gave an update on her son Luke’s health journey.
During part two of The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 20 reunion, the OC housewife shared that her 11-year-old son was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome.
“It’s so hard to talk about Luke. I would say that Shane and I are doing better at parenting Luke because we understand a lot more about his diagnosis,” Emily said during the Nov. 12 episode.
“But he has Tourette’s now, so that’s been hard. That’s a lot,” she continued.
“If you look at PANDAS and the symptoms, it’s OCD and anxiety and tics.”
Emily also revealed that Luke’s Tourette’s manifests vocally, which he struggles to mask at school.
To manage the tics, her son does physical “stims,” such as moving his hands and arms.
“That’s embarrassing for him. It’s very hard to manage.”
The former attorney even admitted to “grieving” the family dynamic she thought she’d have, including family vacations and road trips.
Though she’s hopeful his health will soon become more manageable.
“This new doctor gives me hope that we’re gonna get some answers and gonna have a path forward,” she said.
“But, you know, can I just end it by saying Luke is a fantastic child. He is so smart.”
ICYMI: Emily has been vocal about Luke’s recent health diagnoses and the impact they’ve had on her marriage and family.
In addition to his Tourette’s diagnosis, Luke was also diagnosed with ARFID, an eating disorder in which someone avoids or restricts food intake, and PANDAS, a condition involving the sudden onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with strep throat.
