'It turned our world upside down': Mum talks candidly about her twins' diagnosis
When Christine McGuinness and her husband Paddy were told that their four-year-old twins had autism, their world turned upside down.
Feeling a "huge sense of loss" following the news, Christine, who didn't have much understanding of the condition, says that she initially felt alone.
And that is why she is trying to raise much-needed awareness of autism so that parents won't feel like they are on their own and that children are given a better chance in life.
"When my husband and I were first told that our twins had autism it turned our world upside down," the mum admitted.
"I knew it was my purpose in life to be their mum, but this really made me want just want to be the best mum I could be for them."
Just like any mum, Christine has hopes and dreams for her children; things like making friends at school, building relationships, and even having their own families when they are older.
"Most of all I just want them to be happy and I want them to live in a world that is more understanding about autism," she explains.
"Just like anyone else, people on the spectrum have their own hopes, dreams and visions for their futures."
The autism campaigner was speaking at the launch of Autism Together's Future 50 appeal.
The charity plans to build the world’s first autism centre where pioneering biometric technology will be used to ‘see inside’ the bodies of people with autism who can’t communicate and explain their anxiety or distress to carers.
Biometric wristbands which look like Fitbits but are highly sensitive can track tiny physiological changes – such as heart rate, skin temperature and sweat – and predict oncoming meltdowns.