Hi there, I’m a mum to an 18 year old autistic young man & I would like some advice if anyone can relate to his situation.
He was diagnosed at 16 just after leaving high school & attended college for around 3 months before dropping out due to struggling with the travel & crowds of people.
He doesn’t claim benefits, work or study. He did start driving lessons a few months ago but has now given them up. He goes to the gym but almost always this is in the middle of the night when there’s nobody there & pretty much walks everywhere as he won’t get on public transport.
He says he’s applying for jobs but is also interested in doing an apprenticeship although he might struggle with the college part of it.
As a mum all I want to do is help him but financially I am feeling the pinch as he’s living at home & not contributing at all. If he applies for universal credit in the meanwhile they will just pressure him to find a job & I feel that he will just lose the benefit. I know he’s anxious although won’t admit it & trying to get him to talk about how he feels is not working. It isn’t even just the financial side of it, I want him to have a life & get out into the world rather than sit at his pc for hours every day.
Any advice on how I can help him would be appreciated, it’s difficult because as he’s an adult I can’t deal with things on his behalf.
thank you 