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Paul Scholes Takes a Step Back from TV Punditry to Care for His Autistic Son

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Paul Scholes, the former Manchester United midfielder, has reduced his TV work to focus on caring for his severely autistic son, Aiden. Scholes, 50, has been on TV since his retirement in 2013, but this season, he has given up the majority of his work to build a routine with Aiden, who is non-verbal and was diagnosed with severe autism at the age of two-and-a-half. Scholes shares parenting responsibilities with Aiden's mother, Claire Froggatt, and their grandmother, helping to create a strict daily routine that includes activities such as swimming and shopping for chocolate. Scholes finds it rewarding to share small snapshots of his life with Aiden on social media and appreciates the support from parents who have similar experiences with their children.

Key Takeaways:

  • Paul Scholes has taken a step back from TV punditry to care for his 20-year-old son, Aiden, who has severe autism.
  • Scholes has created a strict daily routine for Aiden, which includes activities such as swimming and shopping for chocolate.
  • He shares parenting responsibilities with Aiden's mother, Claire Froggatt, for three days a week, with help from their grandmother.
  • Scholes has found it rewarding to share small snapshots of his life with Aiden on social media.
  • He appreciates the support from parents who have similar experiences with their children.
  • Scholes has been open about the challenges of caring for Aiden, including the early days of diagnosis, when Aiden would bite or scratch him out of frustration.
  • Scholes is concerned about what could happen to Aiden when he and Claire are not around, but finds joy in his son's company.

Statistics:

  • Aiden, Scholes' son, was diagnosed with severe autism at the age of two-and-a-half.
  • Scholes was a regular on TV since his retirement in 2013, but has reduced his work to focus on caring for Aiden.
  • Scholes shares parenting responsibilities with Claire Froggatt for three days a week.
  • Aiden has a strict daily routine that includes activities such as swimming and shopping for chocolate.
  • Scholes has been open about the challenges of caring for Aiden, including the early days of diagnosis, when Aiden would bite or scratch him out of frustration.

Sources:

  • Interview on the Stick to Football podcast with Gary Neville.
  • Article on news@irishmirror.ie.

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