Christine McGuinness, the model and TV personality, has spoken candidly about her autism diagnosis in a new BBC documentary. The 34-year-old, who recently separated from her husband Paddy McGuinness, revealed that she uses a technique called masking to navigate social situations, which leaves her exhausted.
In her documentary Unmasking My Autism, she explains that she often feels nervous and anxious before events but forces herself to socialise. Afterward, she says, she just wants to go home and be a mother to her three children, who are also on the autistic spectrum. She describes feeling like all her 'communication coins have been spent' after interactions.
McGuinness was diagnosed with autism in August 2021, which she says was a huge relief after years of feeling 'mad'. She recalls lying in bed wondering why she didn't laugh at the right time or manage situations correctly. Now she understands it is because of her autism.
She expressed frustration at not being diagnosed earlier, stating she feels 'cheated' by the medical establishment. Despite the challenges, she has embraced her diagnosis and published a children's book, Amazing Me, Amazing You, promoting inclusion for autistic children.
