Mum to Ollie

Hi Jennifer, I have just joined this community too, my son is 20 now and had a diagnosis of Autism and ADD a few months ago.  I really feel for you all, lockdown just compacted existing problems.  We were lucky that he adapted well to secondary school, he had problems and I contacted his head of year and the SENCO who were excellent and provided the extra support that he needed.  Luckily he was on the verge of leaving sixth form at the time of lockdown.  However, throughout lockdown he wouldn't come out of his room, he barely spoke to us.  We didn't go down the CAHMS route - we heard so many nightmare stories and he was receiving all of the help that was available at secondary school anyway, he had a private assessment earlier this year. He also doesn't understand the impact of his actions on others around him.  We went to the GP toward the end of last year who prescribed Fluoxetine, an anti-depressant, I only wish that we had done this sooner, after taking it for a little while he was like a different person completely.  Some things it has not helped with - the racing thoughts that he has at night are still there - but it has helped with the anxiety a lot.  He still feels anxious but is now able to do things anyway, whereas before he wouldn't even try.  It's heartbreaking, there seems to be one problem after another - as soon as it looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel something else occurs!  He is planning on going to Uni this year - another hurdle - he changes his mind so rapidly, usually at the last minute.  We are hoping that it will be a stepping stone to the outside world and give him the skills and confidence to be able to live on his own. 

Perhaps a visit to the GP might be a step forward - I have always been very reluctant to try medication but it has really helped. I am not sure what complementary education is - I presume home schooling with a tutor.  Does the school have a SENCO that can help?  My son also had dyslexia screening at school which he proved not to have but it did throw up other areas of concern and highlighted slow processing disorder which helped them to put things in place.

Hi Jennifer, I have just joined this community too, my son is 20 now and had a diagnosis of Autism and ADD a few months ago.  I really feel for you all, lockdown just compacted existing problems.  We were lucky that he adapted well to secondary school, he had problems and I contacted his head of year and the SENCO who were excellent and provided the extra support that he needed.  Luckily he was on the verge of leaving sixth form at the time of lockdown.  However, throughout lockdown he wouldn't come out of his room, he barely spoke to us.  We didn't go down the CAHMS route - we heard so many nightmare stories and he was receiving all of the help that was available at secondary school anyway, he had a private assessment earlier this year. He also doesn't understand the impact of his actions on others around him.  We went to the GP toward the end of last year who prescribed Fluoxetine, an anti-depressant, I only wish that we had done this sooner, after taking it for a little while he was like a different person completely.  Some things it has not helped with - the racing thoughts that he has at night are still there - but it has helped with the anxiety a lot.  He still feels anxious but is now able to do things anyway, whereas before he wouldn't even try.  It's heartbreaking, there seems to be one problem after another - as soon as it looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel something else occurs!  He is planning on going to Uni this year - another hurdle - he changes his mind so rapidly, usually at the last minute.  We are hoping that it will be a stepping stone to the outside world and give him the skills and confidence to be able to live on his own. 

Perhaps a visit to the GP might be a step forward - I have always been very reluctant to try medication but it has really helped. I am not sure what complementary education is - I presume home schooling with a tutor.  Does the school have a SENCO that can help?  My son also had dyslexia screening at school which he proved not to have but it did throw up other areas of concern and highlighted slow processing disorder which helped them to put things in place.