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Most teenagers go through difficult times and having additional needs on top of that, make that journey even more challenging.
Coupled with you having to care for him as a single mother, homeschooling and going through your own challenges sounds overwhelming. But you are definitely not alone. Being on the autistic spectrum can make the outside world a bit of a challenge for your son, as the experience could be a bit of a sensory overload that could be difficult to handle. All that we take for granted, like traffic noise, people talking, police and ambulances sirens could be an overwhelming experience for young people on the spectrum.
Also, the way he processes information may not be as straightforward as you expect. So alternative ways to show him that he needs to work towards what he wants could be about experiencing rewards and consequences, learning that every action leads into reactions. Positive actions and steps taking result in rewards and negative actions and steps result in consequences.
Also, teenagers' extreme expression of circumstances doesn’t help too. It is hard to separate strong suicidal emotions from strong emotions to a selfie that goes wrong, but we cannot afford to take chances, so seek help and get support.
I have a set of twins in their 20s. One is highly functioning, ‘A’ star, plays multiple instruments and the other is on the spectrum with global delay. It really does feels like a different world most of the time for my girls. It is interesting though to experience their different and approaches to life.
I have limited knowledge about the benefits system or other support out there as I am still learning myself, but making parenting a joyful experience in the face of all the challenges that come with that role, is an area I am conversant in.
You seem to have a lot going on for you, and I wonder if you often squeeze in for yourself a ‘’Me time”.
This is, in addition to accessing support for your PTSD, especially if you are going back into education soon, which will come with its own additional pressure and challenges.
You do not have control over what your 18-year-old son does or how your son would react to certain circumstances, but you have control over how you respond or react to his behaviours. As you said, he is highly functioning …and extremely smart. These are two good qualities to celebrate. So you have to find ways these would put a smile on your face from time to time, even if it is to help with your sanity.
Being lazy and messy happens to be part of most teenagers’ job description. In my view, parents have to have skilful ways to deal with these without having to pull their hair out but might need to accept that the phase will eventually pass. I am not suggesting that you ignore these fully, but I am saying, pick your battle, be clear about expectations and give choices that reinforce boundaries and discipline.
It is heart-breaking when we hear those scary negative words from our children, you will need to assist him to figure out what he wants to do now that he is 18. It might help to research into options available in the areas he enjoys.
You may need to do more of asking a series of questions and doing more of listening with him. It is important to note that this will take patience and a level of change in your mindset too.
He may be taking advantage of the situation but acknowledging that most of his actions are learned experience, could help you to do some reflections on how you got to where you are.
You may need to spare some time to think about where you want to be and where you would like him to be, based on his wishes and feelings, and acknowledging that, actions and behaviour that got you where you are, cannot get you to where you want to be.
If his refusal to going out is around social anxiety, you may need professional help that could help him to explore the underlying factors contributing to whatever feelings servicing as a blockage to wanting to go out. These could be as simple as being anxious about self-consciousness, how others see him, how he sees himself, the way he thinks other people think about how he looks, how he speaks and how he presents in general.
Having this talk with him and jointly planning your next steps as a family, seeking his input may help. Also, knowing that what works for some autistic children may not necessarily work for your son. As you know your son better than anyone else, thinking about what he really enjoys and making your plans around this may help.
You will need to be in a good frame of mind to accommodate your studies without constantly having to think of what your son is up to.
Despite all you had gone through and still going through, I think you need to celebrate yourself and pat yourself on the back. You have managed to bring up your child to the point where he is now. I am sure, this journey has not been without challenges along the way, but you have pulled through to where you are with or without the support of your father.
As you may be moving soon, and knowing that your options are limited, it is important to maximise the opportunities you have now with your son in order to get him refocused. The primary steps are what you can do with him first, as suggested above.
If you are in the UK, the next step could be getting professional support from your Doctor who can make an appropriate referral or other recommendations.
Sorry, this is long, but I hope it helps.
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