Jacqueline Laurita: Nicholas Is Reading and Writing!

Jacqueline Laurita's 5-year-old son Nicholas has been making incredible progress since he was diagnosed with autism back in 2012 and Jacqueline recently revealed his latest milestone on Twitter.

"At 5 years old, my son may not be able to hold a conversation yet," she wrote, "but he's reading & spelling things like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse & Baby Prodigy."

She also added that her son "looked up the Barber Shop Quartet on his iPad all on his own. Yesterday he typed out Minnie Mouse Bowtique. Incredible memory!"

Jacqueline and her husband Chris have been avid advocates for causes relating to autism for the past few years, donating lots of time, money, and attention to finding out more about the disease. She also recently revealed that she is writing a book with Chris called Defy Expectations, all about their journey with autism.

"I love having the opportunity to be able to show people [what it's like to live with autism]," she's said, "because honestly, what's given me strength is listening to everyone else's stories, their struggles, their successes. That's what gives us hope and strength, so if I can do that for someone else, then it feels so good to me."

Late last year, Nicholas also had another milestone of a more personal nature. He met his estranged aunt Dina Manzo for the very first time over Thanksgiving dinner.