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Newly diagnosed

NAS49981

My 9 yr old is newly diagnosed we paid for a private assessment as it was 2 yr wait with camhs.

He socially struggles and suffers with high anxiety he has no friends and struggles to maintain friendships if they develop as it has to be his way. He won’t sleep without me and soils daily. 

He is on melatonin for sleep and is under consultant for chronic constipation, he’s just had 8 teeth removed due to issues but he has huge sensory needs around his mouth. 

I feel eel so low as a parent and feel like a failure as he’s so alone at times I just look at him and want to cry, I don’t want him feeling alone or struggling. 

  • Hi. I completely understand how your son feels. I was diagnosed at 14 and struggled a lot to come to terms with it. It can be very lonely finding out that not everyone views the world the same way as you. I didn’t make friends easy and school wasn’t great but now I’m 18 and I’ve left school. Met my best friend and I’m starting to figure life out on my own. What I’m saying is it gets easier. You learn how to cope and make life more comfortable for you. I slept in the same bed as my mum until I was 16 and started to sleep on my own because I wanted more space. I also found things that make me feel safe when going to sleep. I have my pillows a certain way and found I like having background noise so I listen to a YouTube playlist at night. 

    You aren’t a failure! You sound like a loving and supportive mother who only wants the best for her son. Trial and error will be how you will figure things out and don’t be afraid or anxious is something doesn’t work out right away things will get better I promise. Please be sure to take care of yourself as well. Your mental health is extremely important. Reaching out and talking to other parents and people with autism is the best thing you can do and look you’ve already done it!