• Replies 2 replies
  • Subscribers 67 subscribers
  • Views 738 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

What type of help should we be looking at?

NAS83177

Good evening

My 14 year old son was diagnosed with ASD a few months ago and things have deteriorated a lot over the past year and I feel a bit helpless and useless in getting him the help I think he needs. 
He presents as very withdrawn, non communicative, lacking in any motivation, depressed?, low self esteem and self worth. 
He is in an independant school which have a proportion of SEN and anxious children but he is not receiving any specialist help. His recent Ed Psych assessment has recommended SLT, a mentor and group work but they are not / cannot provide. I’m in the process of applying for an EHCP but with appeals now taking a year I feel we don’t have time to waste and just feeling like I need to get him some help now. 
Given his profile and needs I was wondering what people think he needs in terms of support and intervention so I can make a plan. Happy to pay private though I feel there is generally a lack of professionals. What kind of therapy/ intervention have people found useful for their struggling teens?

Many thanks for your help x 

  • in reply to Catlover

    Hi 

    Thank you for your reply. I realise that whatever we do will only help but its just working out what as I think counselling or group work is not appropriate as he doesn't talk/open up. It's been mentioned about a mentor which maybe could work better as he is better on a 1:1 basis.

  • What specialist help do you think he should be having?

    You cannot treat ASD, but you can try and relieve symptoms of the associated issues. I think he may need CBT to help with motivation. Maybe talking therapy to help with self confidence etc. Low self worth is common. Especially since we have such a big difference in what we can and can’t do.

    if he is more withdrawn, he is struggling. And when he struggles, he will want to shut down and avoid people and things for longer periods. Maybe he might like to chat with people like him, in his age group?

    At school, he needs to work out what he does and doesn’t like, and what things might make his time better in class. You don’t need an EHCP for this. You should work with the SEN department to find out what small changes will make a bigger impact on managing life at school.