My son struggles with communication and spends a lot of time alone. What should I do?

christinamamofthree

Hi my 8 year old son does not like to go outside and really struggles with communicating with others and likes to be alone a lot. I don’t no what to do should I leave him to sit in a bedroom on his own for hours every day or should I try and force myself and others on him and when he says can you just go should I leave him I don’t no if it’s healthy to be alone like that for as long as he is ! But he hates people around him I’m so stuck ! 

janer1967

Hi there 

I think you need to talk to your gp about this as it could be a medical reason 

I wouldn't try and force at this stage but get professional advice as it may make him more anxious if put in situations he isn't comfortable with 

Have you spoken to his school about how he is at school and if they have noticed anything 

Ross_Alumni

Hello @christinamamofthree

Welcome to the community, I'm sorry to hear about what you're going through at the minute, it must be hard as a parent. 

Have you brought up the issue with your child's GP at all? Have you discussed it with anybody else?

christinamamofthree

I have not discussed it with others that understand autism the advise I have had on this is make him do these things make him join in make him sit with you ! But they do not understand how aggravating my son finds this and they tell me it can’t do good for him being alone all the time I don’t no what to do for the best. 

janer1967

Is your son autistic as you mentioned not discussing it with people who understand autism 

Who has given you the advice to force the situation  

christinamamofthree

Yes he has autism and it’s friends and family who have told me to force him into interaction with me and others 

christinamamofthree

The school have a health plan in place for him he struggles at school with friends but the teachers are amazing 

Tori_Scope

I'm glad the teachers are great @christinamamofthree Have you spoken to them to see whether there are any groups at school he could join to see if that makes him feel a bit more comfortable socialising with other children? What kind of support does he access through his EHCP?