Published on 12, July, 2020
My 23 year old son has had problems throughout his school time. Called in by teacher when he was 6 I was told he was staring and nnot following instruction. The GP referred and since then rollercoaster of is it Petit Mal epilepsy or absenting. This went on and offf, usually as each new school showed concerned. He was a quiet boy with a few friends. At 17 they said not epilepsy. At 18 at uni they said he was dyslexic and that was why he was blanking, brain overload. Too many questions and too many people. Struggled at uni. Worked for a year on nights so he didn’t see many people, started Open Uni which works at the moment well until there was an online forum
So he
struggles with friends . Same friendship group since 3.
Blanks and stares and does not respond
seen by OT for clumsiness and was diagnosed with hyper mobility
Has meltdowns followed by tears and apologises
Continually looks at the floor and bounces his leg and picks his fingers
is nocturnal - people avoidance
specific interest in physics and complicated maths,
short term memory issues all the way through
is either asleep, shut in a room studying or with-his group of friends but only in one of their houses.
Tried several anti depressants for his anxiety
Went to counselling but only managed twice as couldn’t do the face to face
came home every week end from uni and always lived with same people.
struggles with times and organisation
I’m wondering if this all fits into a diagnosis of autism some how. I know it’s late at 23 but he has had signs all along.
any advice. I want to help him x
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A lot of that sounds like autism but the only way to know for sure is to have him tested. Also 23 isn't too late of a diagnosis. I've been to autism support groups and have seen men and women over 50 with autism. So you aren't that late yet. It sounds like he is in a lot of distress and displays several autism symptoms so take him to see the gp and they can help you get him diagnosed.