Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi, I am new to the site and have joined to seek out other peoples experiences with there teenagers with ASD. My son is 16 years old and has High Functioning ASD. We are also working on the basis of PDA as well. He is not currently attending school due to Anxiety issues with it being his final year there. Had the same pattern with Junior school as well. Currently he seems very happy, usual teenager boy things of not wanting to wash and personal hygiene issues but nothing to worry about. Only issue we have he he doesn't want to, and will not get up till around 4pm most days. He will then stay wake all night and some times all days the next day as well. He is suffering a lot with Insomnia and this is causing all kinds of problems with his routine. He is not showing signs of anger or aggression but if we push him to much or set to many rules or punishments he will just storm out the house for several hours. We are trying to find things (through discussions with him) purposes for him to get up but when it comes to the time he just refuses to get up. We have considered depression but when he's up he is happy, when his friends are round he is happy, he is chatty with us, can explain how he is feeling but will then just refuse to get up again until it suits him. What are other peoples experiences of teens with ASD and how did you find dealt with the situation best?
Minidonk said:He will then stay wake all night and some times all days the next day as well. He is suffering a lot with Insomnia and this is causing all kinds of problems with his routine.
I caution against medicalising everything, although your son is autistic all of his behaviours and actions won't be due to his neurotype or necessarily an issue. In the same way that everything you do isn't caused by you being a PNT - your socialisation, human nature etc all come into play.
As a university student, the lack of routine, accompanied by the drive to stay up late into the night, caused widespread insomnia across my halls and then again the student's houses. At this stage, it comes across as though your son's is demonstrating normal behaviour for his age and lack of day time demands.
When mine and my friend's routines changed the first couple of weeks of getting used to going to be and getting up early at a set time was tough but we all adjusted in a few weeks. If I were in your shoes your son's anxiety around the change in routine is the challenge I'd be focusing on. If it affected primary school and now secondary if your son doesn't develop effective coping strategies this may mar his college, and if appropriate university experiences too.