Xen Martin Is Tisha Campbell's Elder Son Diagnosed with Autism

Tisha Campbell's son, Xen Martin, was diagnosed with autism at a very young age. However, he's continued to break barriers and expectations by making it into a college he'd spoken about since childhood.

While many people still recall her from her comedic days on the television show "Martin," this actress has more happening in her life these days. Besides making waves in her acting career, Tisha Campbell has a special needs son.

Xen Martin isn't well-known, but it's not because his mother keeps him out of the spotlight. On August 8, 2023, Martin's mother took to her Instagram account to share a throwback photo of her and him posing at some event to wish him a happy birthday.

In the image, Martin looked dashing in a blue suit with his mother, who noted that 22 years ago, he stole her heart when she looked into his eyes. She said witnessing the man he became despite the different challenges he faced left her in awe, adding:

"I'm in awe of your kindness, your tenacity, your courage, your support, your protectiveness. Xen, you are the epitome of an amazing man, and I love you so incredibly much."

Martin's mother concluded her post by wishing her "baby" the happiest of birthdays and tagging his Instagram account, which shows he isn't very active on social media. Martin, who calls his page the "Xenverse," has one post on the page, with 955 followers and 55 accounts followed. Besides being Campbell's child, one thing makes Martin unique.

Tisha Campbell's Son Xen Martin's Diagnosis and College Life

In March 2020, Campbell was interviewed on "The Real," where she became emotional talking about Martin. One of the co-hosts revealed that Martin had just gotten into his top-choice college. The actress praised her son for his incredible achievement since he was diagnosed with autism at just 23 months old.

Campbell said one of the main things she wanted for Martin after his diagnosis was his independence. At 18, he was still living with his mother, and it was because he felt she was preparing him for his life and college.

Martin, who previously couldn't talk, believed Campbell allowed him to be a man at her house, doing things independently, like cleaning, because his mother had no helpers. Campbell didn't want to bring up a child who was entitled, and she'd nailed it with Martin, who desired to be a zoologist.

The straight-A student, who was always on the dean's list, applied to his favorite college without waiting for his parents. Martin's mother cried with pride when she revealed he was intelligent and nice.

On the 25th of the month before Campbell's interview, she shared her pride in Martin getting into college, the one he had talked about since age eight.

In her post marking the occasion, Campbell revealed that someone had tried to discourage Martin by saying the college wouldn't accept him, but he applied anyway and got in.

"My baby wants to be an animal conservationist and he will be," she also wrote, proudly sharing that Martin held two jobs at the time because he wanted independence. "I never knew you would surpass my hopes for your future," she told him.

Martin's mother described him as an amazing man and shared how she loves him with all her heart and soul. Campbell concluded her post by stating that Martin and his younger brother are everything to her and thanked them for choosing her as their vessel.

Campbell lives for her sons. In November 2018, Martin appeared alongside his younger look-a-like brother, Ezekiel, a.k.a "Zeke," in an Instagram post uploaded by their mother, who captioned it: "This is why I breathe!"

In December 2019, the two boys also appeared in an adorable Instagram video showing Martin helping his younger sibling with his math homework. Zeke was featured again on his mother's account in May 2023 with a picture of the trio embracing at the beach.