Denise Richards talks raising daughter with special needs

Sonja Haller
Updated
Richards said her daughter, 7, has a chromosomal disorder and only says a handful of words. "It’s been challenging. I’m learning every day," she said.

Denise Richards is opening up about parenting her 7-year-old daughter with special needs, saying that navigating the best care for her is "challenging."

"The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star said her daughter Eloise has a chromosomal disorder and only says "a handful of words."

Richards said she noticed Eloise wasn't reaching developmental milestones.

"She wasn’t able to sit up on her own for a very long time, and she didn’t start walking until she was 2, and that was with physical therapy,” Richards, 47, told People.

'I'm learning every day'

Richards said Eloise was diagnosed more than two years ago with a deletion on chromosome 8, which "has caused a lot of developmental delays."

"There are times when she feels like her age in understanding, and then other times where it feels she’s emotionally 3 years old. It’s been challenging. I’m learning every day because they don’t really have a road map for her particular case."

Lil Eloise happy as can be...

A post shared by Denise Richards (@deniserichards) on Oct 13, 2018 at 7:54am PDT

Richards adopted Eloise, who is named after her deceased mother, in a domestic adoption while she was single in June 2011. She married Aaron Phypers in September 2018.

Richards has two daughters Sam, 14, and Lola, 13, with ex-husband, Charlie Sheen.

Richards added she's determined to do what's necessary to take care of her children, whatever their needs.

"Every child is different. You take care of your children no matter what is going on with them. I don’t know if (Eloise) is ever going to talk like a typical child. But as a parent, you want what’s best for your children, and you just do it," she said.

So blessed to be your mom it’s the greatest gift I can imagine. My little pillars of strength. I love you. Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms❤️

A post shared by Denise Richards (@deniserichards) on May 13, 2018 at 8:27pm PDT

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Denise Richards talks raising daughter with special needs