Footballer James McClean has revealed he has been diagnosed with autism, saying he is sharing his "journey" in part for his daughter, who is also autistic.

"As you all know, my daughter Willoë-Ivy is autistic," wrote the 33-year-old, who plays for the Republic of Ireland. "The past four years have changed my life in the most amazing way, but they have also been very difficult at times as her father watched her overcome so many obstacles in life and learn how to manage the challenges she faces every day. day."

McClean added that the more he and his wife learned about their daughter's autism, the more he recognized some of the traits he had himself, so he decided to consult with specialists.

About one in 100 children worldwide has autism, according to the World Health Organization, which says the term is used to describe "a diverse group of conditions related to brain development" that are characterized by "some degree of difficulty with social interaction .”

"Other characteristics are unusual patterns of activities and behaviors, such as difficulty transitioning from one activity to another, focus on details, and unusual responses to sensations," WHO adds.

In a LinkedIn post, writer Jon Barbuti, who has two autistic children, said that "James reminds us that autistic children can be successful in any field."

"There are still stereotypes that autistic children are better at coding, math or some other field. Many are, but all fields can be, including sports. "And so, thanks to James, for some autistic children the path to following their passion can be a little clearer from today," Barbuti added.