'At first it was scratching and biting' » Paul Scholes on how his son Aiden's disability changed his whole life

Ashley Davis30/10/2025

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Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Thursday, October 30, 2025, 3:55 p.m. / Updated Thursday, October 30, 2025, 3:55 p.m.

Paul Scholes (50) has spoken about his son Aiden, who has a severe form of autism, and how it has affected his career. The former Manchester United great told how “everything revolves” around the 20-year-old, who cannot communicate verbally.

In fact, the former player decided to step down from his role as a sports commentator earlier this year in order to more easily maintain a stable schedule for his son.

Paul Scholes, about his son who suffers from autism

Aiden, one of the former Manchester United player's three children, was diagnosed with autism as a child. Scholes explained on the 'Stick to Football' podcast the crucial role his son's needs played in shaping his professional choices and leading him to abandon his career as a sports analyst.

Paul Scholes: 'I've decided my whole program will revolve around Aiden'

“I made a decision this year because of Aiden, because of his special needs as you may know. All the work I do now revolves around his daily schedule, which is very strict. So I just decided that everything I do will revolve around Aiden,” Scholes said.

Paul Scholes explained that Aiden communicates exclusively through sounds that only those closest to him can understand. The United legend also described how his son's condition affected him throughout his football career.

“He would bite your hand or scratch you in frustration because he didn't understand things, he couldn't tell you how he felt. I never got a break from that, even when I was playing.

It was very difficult in those days, it seems like years have passed. I think the doctors didn't diagnose him until he was two and a half years old. But I knew from the beginning that something was wrong. Then came the diagnosis, I had never heard of such a thing.

Suddenly you start to see everything, I don't know if it just happens consciously. I remember the first time after an away game at Derby, I just didn't want to be there.

I remember the coach left me out of the team the following week and I hadn't told anyone about my son's disorder. I ended up telling them a few weeks later because it was very difficult for me,” added the former England midfielder.

'At first it was scratching and biting' » Paul Scholes on how his son Aiden's disability changed his whole life

photo: Paul Scholes with his son / instagram @paulscholesaaa

Paul Scholes went through a divorce five years ago

Paul Scholes' marriage to his wife Claire has ended, with the couple separating in 2020 after a 21-year relationship. He told how his son's life looks after the separation.

“I'm not with Claire anymore so Aiden stays three nights each and his mum has him on Friday nights. We always do the same things with him because he doesn't know what day of the week it is or what time it is. He only knows what day it is by schedule,” Scholes added.

“I pick him up every Tuesday from daycare and we go swimming. Then we get pizza on the way home. Thursday we go to eat and then home. On Sunday I pick him up from Claire and we go to Tesco where he buys a trolley full of chocolates. That's how he knows the days, by the activities we do together,” said Scholes about his son, who will turn 21 in December.

In addition to Aiden, Paul Scholes and his ex-wife have two children together – Aaron and Alicia.