My son won’t leave the house

Mashunna

hi!,
I have a son that’s 22 and has autism and ocd. He has days and most recently weeks that he won’t leave the house. I believe it’s due to his ocd but I’m not sure. He’s been staying awake for days on the toilet and won’t move. Now his feet and ankles are so swollen. I just don’t know what to do. He’s sleeping for now in his bed but his feet and ankles are the same and I’m worried. 

poppy123456

Not wanting to go out is perfectly normal for someone with Autism. They prefer their own company rather than be around others, my daughter is the same. I don't think you can force him to do something he doesn't want to do as he's an adult now. 

Can't advise about the swollen feet and ankles though because we can't give medical advice. If there's concerns he should speak to his GP. 

noman

I have swollen feet and ankles, my gp said it's pedal edema,the swelling goes down with exercise or raising my legs or resting them on a footstool.

I'm not saying this is what your son has but it sounds like it, speak to his gp to find out what it is as pedal edema is usually found in older people.

Jimm_Scope

Hi @Mashunna, a warm welcome to the Scope community Have you had a GP look at his feet/ankles at all? If the swelling is constant and not going down then I'd certainly see about getting it checked.

It can be common for people with autism to struggle to go outside, especially if sensory overload is an issue for them. If it's fitness or exercise you're worried about is there anything they like doing indoors that means they walk around/move around indoors more?

Mashunna

It’s okay for him to stay in. I just hate that he’s missing so much of his new adult day program. He just graduated from his autism school and that was a huge change for him and maybe that’s why he won’t leave.

Albus_Scope

Hi @Mashunna, change can be so terrifying to us autistic folk, so I think you may be right if his routine has been changed so drastically.  Is it possible for him to attend his day program for a few hours, just to see how he gets on, then slowly increase the time he's there? 

FriendlyBro

The only thing that helps is meaningful connections personally with someone with autism I was a **** in for many years still struggle allot. If you can try convince him or bargain with him to try a meet up for something he likes it could help.

FriendlyBro

My word was censored I said hikkikormi