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How do you persuade an Asperger's teenager to leave his room ?

My husband and I have been very understanding of our son's difficulties due to Autism. However I feel it is harming my son to allow him to remain in his room. I try to encourage him out by tempting him with his favourite foods, or bringing him books and magazines related to his favourite topics and interests. He is a really nice boy and he is hurting himself as he is cutting himself off from life. Not doing the things he loves ...not going to school ...and then worrying how he will be able to support himself. A big part of the problem is he does not accept that he has Asperger's / ASD, and needs help. The stigma about Aspergers/ ASD/ Autism is too much for him to accept. He thinks he can solve his problems on his own....has a huge complicated OCD routine that must be completed...before hr can get back to normal routine ....He actually needs to see his therapist for support to get back on track and learn to cope and get rid of the OCD. Is anyone else experiencing any of this ?
Replies
Hi, I'm asd, diagnosed last year at 57yo, and I've always been happiest doing my own thing, on my own. Like your son, did spend a lot of time in my room thru my teens and beyond when living with my parents. Now live alone (do have my pets), quite happy, and have always felt out of place and awkward in social situations. Currently not working, but found working alone was the only option for me too. My last job was self employed gardener/pet carer. Seems we really do prefer our own company.
Totally agree. ASD and socialising just doesn't mix. Put my daughter in room with people and she won't even look up from the floor. Put her in a room with animals and she's the happiest person ever, especially if it's cats.
I have mild OCD involving repeatedly checking things, and counting, doing this stuff before leaving the house or going to bed etc. I believe OCD is linked to autism too, though you can have OCD and not be asd.
Are there any groups that he can join or not? What are his interests and hobbies?
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And how dare the counselling services insist on people trecking out to visit their offices? Online and phone counselling is proved to be not only as good as face to face, it's better. More effective and far cheaper. Non discriminatory for physically disabled, for carers, for autistic or phobic.
Being autistic is and should be no more of a stigma than being musical, or red haired, or tall or short, ...it's just part of who you are, so it cannot be right or wrong. There are bound to be some advantages and some disadvantages in anything.