Christine McGuinness said autism diagnosis has helped her to understand “why I am the way I am”
(Picture: Instagram)Christine McGuinness has revealed how her autism diagnosis has helped “push” her out of her comfort zone.
The former Real Housewives of Cheshire star shared her diagnosis publicly last November and previously said how it had helped her to understand “why I am the way I am”.
Now a year on, the 34-year-old said she wants to be a role model to her three children, who are also autistic, and show them that their diagnosis doesn’t have to “hold them back”.
The star, who is an ambassador for the National Autistic Society, told The Standard: “I really wanted to push myself this year.
“Since getting my diagnosis and knowing that my children are always watching me, I want to make sure I do everything I can possible, so they grow up believing that nothing is going to hold them back.
“I don’t want them to believe that being autistic is going to stop them from doing anything.
“Even if they get scared or anxious at times, they are capable of doing anything they want so this year I really went for it and tried to say yes to more opportunities.”
While McGuinness is firmly focused on inspiring her children, she has also been going through heartbreak after splitting from her husband of 11 years, Paddy McGuinness, in July.
The reality TV star, who shares nine-year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and Felicity, six, with McGuinness, said that she’s found the gym and journalling “therapeutic” as she adjusts to co-parenting life.
“I love motherhood, it’s difficult, obviously its challenging at times but this is something I wanted so being a mum is a dream come true for me,” she shared. “I love being with the children but obviously sometimes it’s nice to remind yourself that you are a person as well.
“I’m trying to be social… The gym is always good therapy for me, and I love to write too.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time writing down my thoughts when the children are asleep and have found it very therapeutic.”
McGuinness, who has partnered with kids audio system company Tonies this festive season, also reflected on how far her children have come after previously discussing how lockdown affected their speech.
The TV star shared: “Lockdown was such a struggle for them, but I’m glad to say that the children have caught up. They don’t shut up now, whereas during lockdown affected their speech hugely.
“Listening to music and stories on things like the Toniebox has really helped with their speech development.
“I love how easy it is for the children to use, they can use it independently and they can choose different Tonie characters for whatever mood they’re in.
“It’s just lovely to watch them use it and I can see how much its helped their vocabulary and language.”
For more information and to buy a Toniebox and characters, visit tonies.com.
