Paul Scholes has thanked fans for their messages of support after opening up about caring for his autistic son Aiden in a moving interview this week.
The Manchester United and England legend posted a heartfelt Instagram Story on Friday, following the reaction to his appearance on The Overlap podcast.
Scholes, 50, revealed that he had been overwhelmed by the response from parents sharing similar experiences of raising children with autism.
In his message, the former midfielder wrote: ‘Would just like to thank everyone for all your kind messages since the Overlap interview regarding Aiden, there’s been loads and tried to read as many as possible.
‘The response from families (especially Dads) shows how much speaking about it helps so many… there was one quote from a parent in a similar position that’s just got me… “my job is to stay alive for one day longer than my son/daughter”.
‘Anyway, it’s weekend, let’s have a few drinks and watch the football… come on Salford.’
Paul Scholes has thanked fans for their messages of support after opening up about caring for his autistic son Aiden
The Manchester United and England legend revealed that he has taken a step back from punditry to case for Aiden
Scholes, 50, revealed that he had been overwhelmed by the response from parents sharing similar experiences
Scholes’ post followed widespread praise for his openness in discussing the challenges of raising Aiden, who is non-verbal and was diagnosed with severe autism aged two-and-a-half.
The former Manchester United star revealed in The Overlap that he stepped away from TV punditry to care for his son full time.
He told Neville and his co-hosts that he now structures his entire week around Aiden’s routine.
‘All the work I do now is just around his routines, ‘cos he has quite a strict routine every single day,’ Scholes said. ‘So I just decided everything I’m going to do, it is around Aiden.’
Scholes confirmed that he and his wife Claire Froggatt, with whom he has now separated, share caring responsibilities equally, each having Aiden for three nights a week. He explained that the key to helping his son feel settled lies in keeping each day predictable.
‘We always do the same things with him as he doesn’t know what day of the week it is or time. But he’ll know from what we’re doing what day it is,’ he said.
The midfielder, who won 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies with United, added that while the early years after Aiden’s diagnosis were difficult, he now finds immense joy in his son’s happiness.
‘Don’t get me wrong, he can be so happy it’s untrue, and it gives you great pleasure and joy, it’s not all bad,’ Scholes said.
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The 20-year-old was diagnosed when he was two-and-a-half years old (pictured carried by Scholes)
Since leaving regular broadcasting work, Scholes has launched a new podcast alongside fellow former team-mate Nicky Butt, titled The Good, The Bad & The Football.
He said the flexible schedule allows him to continue working while maintaining the stability that Aiden needs.
