Support for my 17-year-old autistic son?

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: My autistic son will not leave the house/go outside - can anyone help?.

misscoops

@Caro99 hi I'm a mum of a 17 year old son, who also sounds exactly like your son ? he hasent been in school since year 8 has had distant learning at home since then , and has just sat 4 exams at home. He has debilitating anxiety and panic attacks since age 9 , I never got him statemented by our local special needs hospital, but they were useless ... and said that he did show ASD through his anxiety. We just got passed backwards and forwards here in the UK.
Not sure what to do, feel helpless as all his friends are moving on building a life and he says the exact same as your son has about the future. 
Nobody seems to understand but glad I came across this site to read so many situations like mine. 

Chloe_Scope

Hi @misscoops and a very warm welcome to the community, I'm so glad you have been able to find us!

If there is anything we'd be able to support you with then please do let us know. You're not alone with this.

misscoops

Thank you Chloe! I don't know where to go or what to do... September if fast approaching and I know he won't be able to attend collage yet, we don't apply for any benefits for him, child benefit has stopped last week, so not sure what he's entitled too or which path to take. Just feel as lost as he probably does.?

Chloe_Scope

Hi @misscoops, I have split your replies from the previous discussion to try and get you the best support and advice from the community.

The National Autistic Society may be able to provide guidance around this. They also have a helpline.

Here is some guidance on the NHS website about adults with Autism and where to find young adult support.

Depending on your son's needs, he may be entitled to PIP and you could be awarded Carers Allowance if he did receive PIP.

Also, because your son is over the age of 16, if he is unable to work then he might be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance.

I am also tagging @SparkleSheffieldAutismAdvisors who is our Autism advisor on the community.

If you have any questions at all then please do get in touch! 

misscoops

I will look into everything, thank you for your reply and advice ?

Chloe_Scope

No problem at all @misscoops! I hope you have a lovely bank holiday weekend and please do let us know how you get on or if there is anything else we can help with.

SparkleSheffieldAutismAdvisors

Hi @misscoops! 

How's the first week of September been for you both? Is there anything you are still looking for advice around that we can help you with?

Hope that some of the advice you got from @Chloe_Scope have been useful for you, they are great signposts and we would reccomend you check them all out.

The Sparkle Sheffield Team 

Chloe_Scope

Hi @misscoops, how are you doing at the moment?