Published on 12, July, 2020
im here because I just don’t know what to do to help my son, he was diagnosed with ASD in Feb, i was expecting this as I have a 6 year old that was diagnosed at the age of 4, anyway long story short... he has been what I think is depressed since 2016, he doesn’t move from his bedroom, he doesn’t come on family days out, I can’t get him to do anything, he attends school but I get called twice a week to bring him home because he has these random moments of bursting in to tears uncontrollably and just wants to go home. I’ve asked what sets this off and he always just replies he doesn’t know and doesn’t understand why it happens. His self asteem is on the floor, he says he is nothing, a failure, he will never be anything and he doesn’t deserve anything either. It’s heartbreaking to hear him talk this way. I have been to the gp back and forth hoping for a referral to cahms or some help but every time I get the same reply... he hasn’t tried to harm himself so doesn’t reach the threshold for a referral! So basically he has to attempt suicide or self harm to get the help! I just feel stuck and don’t know where to turn, when he got the diagnosis they said he has a high level of depression, when I asked what help is available i got told there are no provisions for teens! School said they would give him an in house counsellor.. she took him in a room with toys and played a game of jenga with him! He said he felt about 6 and she said she will check on him fortnightly, that’s it. Can anyone point me in the direction of where I can go next? I’m struggling and I just want to help him.
Hi MumtoMacaulay,
It sounds like you are having a difficult and frustrating time getting appropriate support. Please keep communicating with agencies about how your son feels.
You may like to contact our Autism Helpline team who can provide you with information and advice . You can contact the team via telephone on 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3pm). Please note that the Helpline is experiencing a high volume of calls and it may take a couple of attempts before you get through to speak to an advisor. Alternatively, should you prefer to send a message, you can do so via their webform: https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/main/questions.aspx
or
You may like to contact our Parent to Parent service who offers emotional support to parents and carers of children or adults with autism. This service is confidential and run by trained parent volunteers who are all parents themselves of a child or adult with autism .
You can contact the team on 0808 800 4106. Please leave a message and the team will call you back as soon as possible at a time that suits you, including evenings and weekends. Alternatively you can use contact the team via web form: http://www.autism.org.uk/services/community/family-support/parent-to-parent/enquiry.aspx
Hope this information helps you all,
Nicky-Mod