FORMER athlete Greg Rutherford’s fiancé Susie Verrill has opened up about how they parent their three kids – after revealing one of their sons had been diagnosed with autism.
35, took to Stories to share how they may “do things differently” because of neurodiversity.
Greg Rutherford’s partner Susie has opens up about their ‘different’ family set upCredit: instagram/susiejverrill
Greg and Susie have been together for over a decade, having met in early 2012 and getting engaged in May 2019Credit: Getty – Contributor
One of their sons has been diagnosed with autismCredit: Instagram / @susiejverrill
As part of the candid posts, she shared how they let them take days off school to avoid damage to the family, and sometimes to separate solo days out with the kids.
, 37, who has starred on and Dancing on Ice, and Susie are parents to sons Milo, 11, and Rex, eight, and daughter Daphne, four.
Following sharing their son’s diagnosis in 2023, Sue recently wrote: “Ways our family might do things a little differently to yours because of neurodiversity…
“We might have very limited boundaries on screen time because it’s one of our successful regulating/decompressing options.
“We encourage participation with dress up days/adhering to school uniform but also pick our battles.
“We often cut labels out of clothes, find items without seams, accept items which don’t really fit/have holes still being worn because they’re comfy and safe.”
She added: “We might end up at hospital frequently due to extreme physical activities, but also might not go ’til it’s an emergency because of the downplaying of symptoms.
“Really fun things might not be really fun for everyone and might in fact be a sensory nightmare.
“As a family, we’ll give lots of airtime to passions, hobbies and interests. We won’t refer to them as fixations.
“We’ll sometimes take days off school because we know it’ll do more damage to all of us, fighting to get someone across the threshold.”
Another thing Greg and Susie does is have “one on one days quite often.”
She explained that not all three kids can be “cajoled into having fun doing the same thing on the same day.”
She added: “Our targets and aims are often based around our kids being happy and comfortable rather than academia.
“Lots of small wins or things we wouldn’t view as celebration worthy with our other two.
They often have to tailor their days out to suit their kids’ needsCredit: instagram/susiejverrill
They find TV helps with ‘decompressing’Credit: instagram/susiejverrill
They have a relaxed attitude to clothesCredit: instagram/susiejverrill
“Big days out are often cut short before burnout sets in and that’s really ok. We make it a point that ducking out is an option.
“The most random, unusual, obscure sentences/catchphrases/earworms are muttered and shouted around our house frequently.
“Priprioceptive input activities before bed – , climbing, weighted blanket, hugs and headstands.
“Most conversations are very polite and direct in our house. ‘Did you enjoy that?’ No, and I never want to do it again, thank you.”
The dedicated mum concluded: “We have to accept that sometimes the smallest of things will upset the entire routine / ruin the next three hours.
“Certain foods will be enjoyed for aaaages and *just* when you stock up, it’ll become something they won’t eat anymore.
“Family and friends know to greet our children ways. One of our kids in particular will say hello and socialise when they’re ready and people know that’s not him being rude.”
Greg and Susie have had to be relaxed with the mood suddenly changingCredit: instagram/susiejverrill
Their neurodivergent son likes to greet people ‘when he is ready’Credit: instagram/susiejverrill
Food can be loved one week and hated the nextCredit: instagram/susiejverrill
They don’t force their kids to stay at an event if they get burned outCredit: instagram/susiejverrill Key characteristics of autism
These are some features of autism that many people with it experience. Autism is a spectrum, so everyone shows symptoms differently.
Sensitive to senses
Autistic people can be much more or less sensitive than non-autistic people to the five main senses (sight, sound, touch, taste and smell).
This also extends to senses for balance, movement, spatial awareness and awareness of internal states, such as hunger and temperature.
Social differences
People with autism may find social interactions harder because they have difficulty; interpratiting social cues; facial expressions; maintaining eye contact; recognising sarcasm.
They may find tehy prefer to spend time alone because social interactions can be confusing.
Autism can be verbal (someone who uses communication) or non-verbal (they use other means to communicate). People can flit between the two.
Repetitive behaviours
‘Restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests’ is often listed as a trait of autism, but the National Autistic Society says many people with the condition actually find these behaviours as positive and helpful.
It is also sometimes referred to as stimming or self-regulatory behaviour.
Examples include having a strong passion or interest in a hobby, repeated behaviours like hair twirling or rocking, and preference for routine or rules to be followed.
Emotional dysregulation
People with autism may struggle to manage feelings such as frustration, anxiety, or sadness, which could lead to a ‘meltdown’ (extreme or intense outburst of emotions) or ‘shutdown’ (withdrawal).
Source: National Autistic Society
