Susie Rutherford, wife of Olympic long jumper Greg Rutherford, has opened up about their family's approach to raising a neurodivergent child, including allowing their son to take days off school when necessary. In a candid Instagram post, she explained that they 'pick their battles' to avoid causing damage to their son's wellbeing.
The couple, who have three children—Milo, 11, Rex, 8, and Daphne, 4—received an autism diagnosis for one of their sons in 2023. Susie shared a carousel of images detailing how their family does things 'a little differently' due to neurodiversity, such as limiting boundaries on screen time as a regulating tool and cutting labels out of clothes for comfort.
She noted that they sometimes take days off school because 'fighting to get someone across the threshold' would do more harm than good. The family also prioritises one-on-one days and cuts big outings short before burnout sets in. Susie emphasised that their goals are centred on their children's happiness and comfort rather than academic achievement.
The post received support from followers, with many relating to the experiences described. One commented: 'They’re so lucky to have parents who understand and adapt.'
