Melania Trump speaks out about previous rumors that her son Barron Trump has autism.

In her memoir “Melania,” published Oct. 8, the former first lady writes about her son being bullied after comedian Rosie O’Donnell tweeted that he appeared to have autism.

In the tweet, which was later deleted, O’Donnell wrote: “Barron Trump is autistic? If so, what a great opportunity to raise awareness of the AUTISM epidemic.”

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O’Donnell also shared a video of Barron Trump from 2016 at the Republican National Convention.

Melania Trump speaks out about previous rumors that her son Barron Trump has autism. (Getty Images)

In the viral video, which has also since been deleted, the creator added captions suggesting that the then 10-year-old boy suffered from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“I was horrified by this cruelty,” Melania Trump writes in the book. “It was clear to me that her point was not to raise awareness of autism. I felt like she was attacking my son because she didn’t like my husband.”

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“There is nothing shameful about autism (although O’Donnell’s tweet suggested there was), but Barron is not autistic,” she added.

“Barron’s experience of being bullied both online and in real life following the incident is a clear indication of the irreparable damage that has been caused.”

The former first lady also described the experience as “devastating.”

“It felt like my heart was breaking into pieces.”

Rumors that Barron Trump had autism were sparked by a 2016 video of him appearing at the Republican National Convention. (Getty Images)

The memoir “Melania” is published by Skyhorse Publishing and distributed by Simon & Schuster.

Dr. Agnesa Papazyan, aka Dr. Aggie, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles who specializes in autism and neurodiversity, spoke to Fox News Digital about the potential harm of publicly claiming someone has autism.

“Public speculation about diagnoses like ASD also perpetuates harmful stereotypes.”

“Public speculation about whether someone has autism based solely on their behavior, speech or demeanor can have a negative impact – not just on the individual but also on the wider autism community,” she said.

“It makes the individual feel judged, misunderstood, excluded and stigmatized.”

“Public speculation about whether someone has autism based solely on their behavior, language or demeanor can have a negative impact – not just on the individual but also on the wider autism community,” an expert said. (Getty Images)

Even if the speculation is well-intentioned, it may characterize the person’s behavior or manner of communication as abnormal or “strange” or something in need of labeling, Dr. Aggie.

“Public speculation about diagnoses like ASD also perpetuates harmful stereotypes.”

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Given the complexity of the autism spectrum, Dr. Aggie said diagnoses should only be made by trained professionals – “not through social media, from a friend or from strangers on the internet.”

“Making assumptions about others based on superficial observations can lead to misdiagnosis, which not only impacts the individual but can also lead to misconceptions about autism itself,” she noted.

“I was horrified by this cruelty,” Melania Trump writes in her new memoir, referring to rumors that her son has autism spectrum disorder. (Sunday Morning Futures)

“This can also lead to unfair treatment of individuals and create unnecessary barriers or judgments in their personal and professional lives.”

The doctor also emphasized that the symptoms of autism vary greatly from person to person.

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“The spectrum nature of autism means that some individuals may be highly verbal and have exceptional cognitive abilities, while others may have significant communication or sensory issues,” she said.

“This variation is particularly pronounced in children because developmental milestones can be very different.”

Experts described speculation about autism symptoms as “reckless.” (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Nechama Sorscher, PhD, a clinical psychologist in New York City, agreed that such claims can be harmful.

“Speculating that someone has autism is similar to insinuating that someone has physical or mental problems without hard evidence,” she said.

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“Simply put, it’s reckless.”

According to Sorscher, almost one in four students say they are bullied.

Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder can vary greatly from person to person, ranging from mild to severe. (iStock)

“It’s hard enough being a kid, but for Barron, he’s in the national spotlight and under constant scrutiny,” she said.

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“A rumor like autism could certainly have created a very difficult environment for him.”

More than 60% of children and young adults with autism experience bullying, emphasized Sorscher.

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“Regardless of whether you actually have autism or not, this type of bullying behavior can lead to negative mood and self-image, changes in sleep patterns, a decline in academic performance, and more.”

Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Melania Trump and O’Donnell for comment.