Christine McGuinness concerned how her kids will cope as adults: It keeps me awake

Mum-of-three Christine McGuinness has opened up about concerns she has regarding how her children will grow up.

Speaking to OK! at the Me, My Autism & I exhibition at the gallery@oxo in London, the TV star and ex-wife to comedian husband Paddy, 33, said the thought of her kids struggling as adults breaks her heart.

"It keeps me awake at night," Christine – who herself was diagnosed with autism in 2021 – added. "I worry if they’re going to be independent when they’re older.

"It’s an extra concern with them being autistic and having additional needs – they’re more vulnerable. They might need support in getting employment and I don’t know if they’ll have independent living.

"I don’t know what the future holds, but I try and stay positive. I need to spend as much time as possible making them as independent as they can be for when that time comes."

In her recent BBC documentary Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism, she looked for answers as to why it took so long for her, and thousands of others, to be diagnosed, and how things could be improved for girls and women in the same situation.

Christine’s journey of self-discovery came after her nine-year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and their younger sister Felicity, seven, were all diagnosed with autism.

She proudly told us her children have developed "coping mechanisms" to help them deal with difficult situations.

Asked if she finds it hard when you are out with the children and people judge their behaviour, Christine explains: "Not so much in the last couple of years because the children are maturing and managing themselves a lot better."

Despite call their relationship a day almost a year ago however, Christine and Paddy have continued to live together in an attempt to bring some normality to their children's lives.

"It’s certainly not a long-term or forever plan," Christine admits. "It works right now because we’re both so busy and we’re in and out of the home so we tend to swap days and we’ll share. It’s much like any parent really – juggling jobs and children.

"We definitely don’t want to upset them or change anything too quickly, and for me as well. I like slow changes, and we’re alright – we’re family. I’ve known Paddy for 15 years, so I don’t know life without him. It is what it is."

OK! spoke to Christine at the Me, My Autism & I exhibition at the gallery@oxo.

Watch Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism on iPlayer and Christine McGuinness: A Beautiful Nightmare (Mirror Books, £14.99) is out now.

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