Footballer McClean details autism he discovered through four-year-old daughter

28 March 2023 , 14:28

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McClean shared his post alongside Willow-Ivu, four, who also has autism (Image: James McClean Instagram)

Republic of Ireland winger James McClean has revealed that he has been diagnosed with autism, having discovered that he has the developmental disability through his four-year-old daughter.

McClean, 33, is in his second spell with Wigan Athletic having played for Sunderland, West Brom and Stoke, as well as hometown club Derry City.

The 98-times capped winger, who chose to represent the Republic of Ireland over Northern Ireland in 2012, has been vocal about daughter Willow-Ivy's autism in the past, and says it was through her that he suspected he too may be autistic.

In an Instagram post supporting World Autism Acceptance Week, he wrote: "As you all know, my daughter Willow-Ivy is autistic.

"The last 4 years have been life changing in the most amazing way but also very difficult at times as her daddy watching her overcome so many obstacles in her life and learning how to manage the challenges she faces on a daily basis.

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The more Erin and I learned about autism the more we began to recognise I was very similar to Willow in more ways than we thought.

"I see so many small traits in her that I see in myself. So I decided to go and get an ASD assessment.

McClean came on as substitute for Ireland in their 1-0 defeat to France on Monday (Getty Images)

"It’s been a bit of a journey and now having a diagnosis I feel it’s time to share it, for the week that’s in it.

"I have debated for a while going public in sharing this as I’ve done this for Willow-Ivy, to let her know that I understand and that being autistic wont and should never hold her back from reaching her goals and dreams.

"Daddy’s girl."

Autism is a developmental disability that can cause problems with social communication, and also restrict behaviours.

World Autism Acceptance Week runs from March 27 to April 2, and more information can be found here.

Mark Jones