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Getting support for 22 year old autistic son

ChrisP

I'm looking for advice on how I can help and support my 22 year old autistic son. He is diagnosed Aspergers, a graduate and has mental health and anxiety issues. He lives with us and doesn't have paid employment although he does do some voluntary  work. Other than some medication from the doctor he gets no help or support and claims no benefits. 

Step 1 is to find a new councillor to restart counselling as his mental health has deteriorated again. It's clear that because of his mental health paid employment is not something he will cope well with right now. He doesn't always get to his volunteering sessions especially if he has to get the bus rather than be driven in and then he doesn't always manage that either. 

What else should we be thinking of in terms of support and financial help for him? We are happy for him to live at home for as long as he wants. What experience have you had in getting help/support and what pitfalls should we be lo0king out for? We're at a loss on where to begin and our son will struggle coping with any process on his own. Advice appreciated. Thnaks.

  • I guess the first question,  is what does he want? You said he was a graduate. In what field has he graduated in? Is the volunteer work allowing him to gain experience within that field? It's really lovely that your happy for him to stay at home, but is their a possibility of giving him his own independence within that space (that's assuming you haven't already done so of course).

    It's good that he's getting counselling,  the important thing with anxiety, is that it doesn't happen for no reason. A good counsellor will help him to realise what that is and help him take steps towards dealing with it.

    As parents, your very supportive,  but with that, I would still be a little cautious that your not allowing him to remain in his comfort zone. Every now and then, he is going to need to push himself. The more he does so, the easier he will learn to deal with stress and anxiety so he can deal with it better in the future. It's just a question of finding a balance,  and figuring out where to push and where to maintain comfort and safety.