This week, Kylie Kelce appeared on CBS Mornings to advocate for autism acceptance, narrating a story about her daughters and her neighbor, Uncle Tim. She explained how parents can help their kids understand differences without making it scary or awkward. Kelce joined the couch alongside Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell to spotlight autism awareness and the work of the Eagles Autism Foundation. A poignant moment also highlighted why the cause feels so close to home for Kelce.
Kylie Kelce talks about teaching her kids about autism through experience with neighbor
Kylie Kelce told CBS, “My connection is that I grew up with a neighbor who I call my brother, Tim. He is on the autism spectrum,” later adding how her daughters refer to him as “Uncle Tim,” in an effort to explain how kids should treat those on the spectrum.
Kelce said that she and the people around her learned how to support him long before they had language for it. In that, she revealed that they grew up “using strategies, managing behaviors that we didn’t even know we were doing.” And now, Tim still plays a role in her life and in her household. Kelce spoke about her daughters’ relationship with him as an everyday way to explain autism through lived experience.
She said, “We just talk about sort of his quirks.” Kelce added, “And so we talk about it really frankly, and we say, like, ‘maybe Uncle Tim’s not going to say hi to you every time he sees you,’” telling them that he might “ease into it,” or talk later, or “Maybe he doesn’t want to answer your question.” She tells them, “And that’s OK.”
Kelce stressed telling her children, “He still loves you, and he wants to be around you, but maybe he’s just not ready to talk.”
She said she keeps it “very matter-of-fact,” adding that she teaches her kids that “we love him no matter what his quirks are.” And so, in a culture where kids often copy what they see, Kelce explained that acceptance starts early, and it starts at home.
Originally reported by Ishika Mishra on Momtastic.
