Kelly Ripa and Mark feared that their son Joaquin would never go to college because of his dyslexia

Kelly Ripa is talking about the challenges her youngest son faces as he prepares for college this fall.

Speaking about her son Joaquin, 17, at Live with Kelly and Ryan on Wednesday, Kelly, 50, explained that he suffers from dyslexia and dysgraphia, the latter affecting a person’s writing skills.

“Joaquin is trying to decide on a college right now, and he has a lot of options,” said Kelly.

Overcome challenges: Kelly Ripa talked about her son Joaquin’s challenges with dyslexia and dysgraphia as he prepares to go to college

The TV presenter has three children with her husband Mark Consuelos.

‘Mark and I were doing FaceTiming the other night … Mark was very touched and very touched, because he said,’ You know, I never thought he could go to college. ‘Because he was deeply dyslexic and dysgraphic, ”said Kelly.

Kelly said that Joaquin has been able to overcome his difficulties through ‘hard work, determination, [and] remediation ”and that the“ misunderstood learning difference ”has actually been a“ blessing ”for his family.

‘But, children with dyslexia learn to read the room, they take social cues … their other skills become [stronger],’ she said.

“Joaquin is trying to decide on a college right now, and he has a lot of options,” said Kelly. She is seen here with her three children

Achievement: Kelly said that Joaquin was able to overcome his difficulties through ‘hard work, determination, [and] remediation ‘

Kelly and Michael’s eldest son, 23, graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts last year and his daughter Lola, 19, is a sophomore at NYU.

Kelly added that he never doubted that Joaquin would go to college, but he has no plans to have an empty nest when he moves out.

“They always come back,” she joked about her children.

Last summer, Mark revealed to PEOPLE that Joaquin was studying for the ACT and SAT exams and working on college applications, with Kelly adding that their youngest son ‘sparks every debate in the house about anything – political, social, environmental, poetry. ‘

‘Mark and I were doing FaceTiming the other night … Mark was very moved and very moved, because he said,’ You know, I never thought he could go to college. ‘Because he was deeply dyslexic and dysgraphic, ”said Kelly.

‘But, children with dyslexia learn to read the room, they take social cues … their other skills become [stronger], ‘Kelly said