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Loneliness and autistic teen

NAS76885

Hello. My son is 18 and has a diagnosis of autism/adpergers.  He is incredibly lonely and isolated. This is affecting his mental health. I can hear him crying in his room. Due to his social anxiety he had withdrawn and sits in his room 99% of the time.  He doesn't want to come out with me as he feels stupid going out with his mum. I just don't know how to help him as his social anxiety stops him going to youth clubs and college etc.  Are there any good online places he can meet and talk to people his own age,  not necessarily with autism?  Thank you

  • Hi my son is aged 18 and has Asperger’s syndrome also, he is terribly depressed and lonely it’s heartbreaking - there are no social clubs or support services for autism without learning disabilities in our area and he hasn’t made any friends at college or doing hobbies I have spent hours on the internet looking for social groups in person and online to no avail my son is too old for youth clubs and too young for adult asd socials it’s frustrating this is the only one I am aware of but is not age specific if your son likes gaming my son would ‘I hope’ love to chat/message online all the best

  • Perhaps addressing the anxiety first might be better. If the anxiety is lessened then going places and meeting people would be easier. Seeing a GP about it and trying some anti-anxiety medications is a possibility. Alternatively, I have found CBD products (legal cannabinoids, available from places like Holland and Barrett) help with my anxiety. I am autistic and have been diagnosed with 'Generalised Anxiety Disorder' and 'social phobia'. The CBD oils taste bad, but the capsules and edibles (like fruit pastilles) are easy to take. CBD does not contain the psycho-active chemical that gives the 'high' from cannabis.

  • There is a social navigation programme that your son maybe able to join. it’s run by the National autistic society. It’s not in all areas of the uk yet but I would contact your local NAS and enquire if they are rolling the programme out where you live. 

    It’s all done online and you can keep your camera off. 

    Is your son interested in gaming? He may find it easier to access the online gaming community. 

  • in reply to NAS76885

    Sorry, i wasn't clear.  I meant that you wanted to go to the cinema and needed someone to go with you?

  • in reply to Touay

    Thankyou Touay.  Yes he needs someone to go with. He needs a friend, but how can he make friends if he has social anxiety?

  • He would be welcome here.
    Have you asked about going to the cinema? ... That you need someone to go with?