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Loose Women: Christine McGuinness Says Her Three Autistic Children Have ‘Regressed’ As She Reveals Heartbreaking Impact Of Lockdown

Gregory Robinson

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Loose Women: Christine McGuinness Says Her Three Autistic Children Have ‘Regressed’ As She Reveals Heartbreaking Impact Of Lockdown

Featured Image Credit: ITV

Christine McGuinness has opened up about the impact lockdown has had on her three children.

The 32-year-old mum, who shares children Felicity, Penelope and Leo with husband, TV star Paddy McGuinness, spoke to the hosts of ITV's Loose Women about the ongoing effect lockdown has had on them. All three children have been diagnosed with autism.

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She explained that their communication skills had "regressed" as they had become used to staying indoors, with Felicity's speech being affected.

Christine also spoke about how difficult it had been to home school their children, which was considerably difficult due to their additional needs.

Christine shares twins Penelope and Leo, 7 and four-year-old Felicity with her husband Paddy (Credit: Christine McGuinness / Instagram)
Christine shares twins Penelope and Leo, 7 and four-year-old Felicity with her husband Paddy (Credit: Christine McGuinness / Instagram)

"I spent years going to speech and language therapy with the children and I still do, but they've all gone backwards with their speech and communication skills.

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"My daughter, Felicity, developed a stutter over the first lockdown, which was never there before. It was every single word so it was quite severe.

"She is still in speech therapy getting help for that, it has got a little bit better now she's gone back to nursery. But these are problems that definitely wouldn't have come into our lives if it wasn't for the global pandemic."

Christine also said that it is "quite sad" that their children are now so used to being inside all the time.

"For three children that struggle with change that was extremely difficult," she said. "They did kind of get used to it... it's quite sad that they're now used to staying inside.

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Christine and Paddy will front a new BBC documentary about autism titled Autism and Our Family (Credit: Christine McGuinness/Instagram)
Christine and Paddy will front a new BBC documentary about autism titled Autism and Our Family (Credit: Christine McGuinness/Instagram)

"It took them years to [go out] quite happily," she added. "We're going to have to really build up their confidence again."

On Tuesday, it was announced that Christine and Paddy will front a new BBC documentary about autism titled Autism and Our Family.

The couple will share their experiences with viewers, and learn more about autism through meeting specialists, paediatricians and other parents of children with autism.

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The doc is expected to air later this year.

Topics: Celebrity News, Loose Women, ITV

Gregory Robinson
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