Hi - looking for any advice out there on what to do! My eldest stepson was diagnosed with Aytipical Autism as a teenager - he managed school until his A levels when he dropped out at 17.Since then he's become more and more reclusive - he's now 23 - rarely leaves the house ,no friends ,interests(fiercely preachy vegan but thats a llfestyle not an interest) - he's now completely cut off his family - won't even acknowledge his brothers - turns his back on his mum and stands in the corner if she tries to talk to him.He's always refused point blank any help - councilling or medication.Basically he shuts himself away in his room(annexed to the house) - sleeps in the day , comes in and eats when he knows the household is asleep.His mum still cooks for him - sometimes he eats it sometimes throws it in the bin - dumps his washing in the basket.Last time he spoke to any of us he basically said he hates life,hates living with other people ,doesn't see the point in anything.His only contact with the outside world is the internet - who knows what he reads.He has self harmed in the past but we dont feel he is suicidal.His mum has a history of depression - this year as a direct result of her eldests downturn she is particularly bad - i guess thats'why i've come on here - a summer of running my business,cooking,cleaning ,shopping,feeding 5 (21 year old lazy brother,12 year old stepbrother) people on my wage and generally trying to prop up my partner has taken its' toll, i'm always aware of the effect the situation has on the other kids,especially my 12 year old.This sounds really awful when you write it down ! Being a practical bloke i find the situation incredibly frustrating as i cant just fix it.I need to feel that there is some kind of positive future for our eldest - and that in turn would change his mums life dramatically.How do you help someone who refuses help?
