James McClean believes his autism has played a big role in his success on the football pitch.
McClean, whose six-year-old daughter Willow is also autistic, received his diagnosis last year and said: “Would I be in the position I am today without it? Probably not.
“We'll never know. But it has definitely contributed, giving me that tunnel vision, that sheer focus and determination to get where I am today, and the person that I am.”
That person has 103 senior Ireland caps to his name and nearly 600 club appearances across the Irish League, League of Ireland, Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two.
He is sometimes fiery and impulsive, is deeply principled and is almost weekly the target of abuse from the nastiest elements among opposition supporters.
“In the past people probably think, there goes James, acting off again, James being James,” said McClean, speaking in Dublin on Wednesday to commemorate World Autism Month with AsIAm, Ireland's Autism Charity.
“But it gives people and myself an understanding why I have reacted the way I have blown the lid at times.”
McClean spoke about his bond with Willow, who was with him at yesterday’s event along with wife Erin, saying: “I think she will always be daddy's girl.
“Erin will tell you, Willow runs the house. What Willow decides we do, we do.
“But look, it has definitely been a hard journey. For the first few years Willow was really, really tough, because she was non-verbal for the first two years.
“She was very frustrated, out and about. That was really tough but she has come on leaps and bounds, she is in mainstream school which is a big step.
“She has her one v one there and they have been absolutely brilliant helping her come along in certain aspects of life.
“It is easier now but it is a journey we are on and learning about everyday. I am learning about autism every day.
“I think with Willow, unlike my other kids who are probably going to move out of the house and I think WIllow maybe, we are toying with the fact that Willow will be with us forever.
“She is a lot more independent doing things for herself so maybe one day she will be able to move out and have her own independence.”
And he addressed how lucky they were that they didn’t face the same struggles in accessing services - such as school places and essential therapies - as so many parents of autistic children.
We recently reported on how former Bohemians goalkeeper Andy McNulty and his wife Caitriona were struggling to secure a school place for their daughter Emma, having received dozens of rejection letters.
“We are in a fortunate position in that we can go private with a lot of Willow's appointments which are not always available to other people as it costs money which is a shame,” he said.
“There is a long wait to get a diagnosis if you do not go private. I think people struggle with that but the help we have got, especially in the school one v one has been a massive help.”
Even in their situation, there are times when the McCleans are caught out.
“At the game on Saturday, the pitch invasion that overwhelmed Willow and she got very tense and up to high doh and had to be taken aside to calm down,” explained the 34-year-old.
"Things like that, that are sudden and she is not prepped for, we'd give her three or four days for her process 'right, this is happening', but when things spring up on her sometimes it can be a lot for her and we have to take a backward step from the situation or leave, which is not always ideal, but Willow's needs come first.”
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