Gregg Wallace has spoken out about his son Sid’s autism diagnosis, admitting that his age ‘may be’ a factor.
Sid, the MasterChef judge’s four-year-old son, was diagnosed with autism last year and is nonverbal – a more severe indication of autism.
Gregg and his wife, Anne-Marie Sterpini, 37, are ‘hopeful’ that Sid will continue to mature and be able to interact with his classmates over time.
The 58-year-old father admitted that when he found out, he went through a “moment of almost grieving” for the kid he believed he would have.
Autism may cause a wide range of symptoms, the majority of which affect how people interact and communicate with one another.
Despite certain research suggesting ties between parental age and children getting autism, the presenter stated he doesn’t blame himself.
‘It could be that,’ Gregg told The Times when asked about the link, but added: ‘It doesn’t trouble me.
‘Blame is for God and small children. It doesn’t make it any better if we go: it’s my fault.’
A important research in 2006 discovered a relationship between the father’s age and the likelihood of a newborn developing autism, however this has been challenged and verified by several additional studies over the years.
Gregg added: ‘You go through a period of almost like mourning. Like, my God, I haven’t got the child I thought I had.’
He stressed, however, that he does not believe his son is’missing out’ on life events with his family, and that only the adults in the household will be affected.
‘I wanted to kick a rugby ball about with him and teach him about knights and castles. His mum and nonna would have wanted to teach him how to cook and make his bed and his clothes.
Sid’squealed and rushed up the hallway’ the other day, according to Gregg, which he had never done before.
Many persons with autism are able to live their lives without being hampered by the illness, with late diagnosis assisting those with milder symptoms.
Gregg first stated that he was leaving Inside the Factory to spend more time with Sid, who may be nonverbal for the rest of his life.
Gregg, on the other hand, recently quit the series after a complaint about his ‘derogatory banter’ with female personnel.
Source My Celebrity Life.
