Christine McGuinness on autism: My twins have given me a purpose in life
Our children don't need to be fixed. My twins are absolute superstars. All they need is understanding from other people.
When Paddy and Christine McGuinness’ twins Leo and Penelope, four, were first diagnosed with autism, Christine admits that the couple were both stunned and quite angry towards the doctor who told them. Reflecting that the signs were there, Christine recalls that they were both non-verbal until the age of three, walked on tip-toes and didn’t socialise very well with other children.
Christine is now keen to raise awareness of the condition as the couple speak out about their struggles - including how she ‘burst into tears’ when she couldn’t find the right butter for her son.