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Phobia of growing up

Laurapiscina

Hello everyone Im new. Our son is 15 and was diagnosed when he was 4 years old. Since becoming 13 he has developed this real fear of growing up. Which has intensified over the last two years. We do not celebrate his birthday anymore, as this resulted in panic attacks, and disregulation. Its becoming more and more difficult to celebrate his siblings birthdays aswell. At school he will refuse to celebrate with his friends and becomes very withdrawn and shuts down.  Whenever we try and discuss it with his he becomes very upset. Even buying new clothes/shoes as his body is changing is an issue. He refuses to accept any body change. At school they are discussing next steps in life, jobs etc. again its just emphasising the growing up. We dont know where to really turn to, he sees a councillor at school but we dont seem to be getting anywhere. There is only so much we can tiptoe around it. Its got so bad that his toy choices, and dvds have gone back to what a toddler would play with peppa pig, musical toys etc which I have no issue with but I feel like its his way of controlling his age.  
ANY ADVICE AND SUPPORT WOULD BE MASSIVELY APPRECIATED. 
thanks laura 

Parents

  • It’s difficult growing up anyway and adding autism into teenage years is even more difficult. Sometimes fears develop from the experience a person was having during an extreme moment of anxiety and or panic. Associating say flowers with dread/overwhelming fear/panic because last time you had a panic attack it was at a garden centre. A young mind will not have the necessary internal logic and life skills to over come these types of irrational fears. A common autistic trait is to fear change, especially change they have little to no control over. Not sure where you are in the world but if it’s the UK a GP can refer to a psychiatrist if you felt this was needed. 

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  • It’s difficult growing up anyway and adding autism into teenage years is even more difficult. Sometimes fears develop from the experience a person was having during an extreme moment of anxiety and or panic. Associating say flowers with dread/overwhelming fear/panic because last time you had a panic attack it was at a garden centre. A young mind will not have the necessary internal logic and life skills to over come these types of irrational fears. A common autistic trait is to fear change, especially change they have little to no control over. Not sure where you are in the world but if it’s the UK a GP can refer to a psychiatrist if you felt this was needed. 

Children