Anxiety Struggles

Thank you both.

He doesn't mix with anyone online. He won't even speak to other members of the family. 

We have an EHCP for him and I'm currently trying to see if it will cover online GCSES whilst we work on the anxiety issues. He was referred to CAMHS, but they said his anxiety was too severe for them to deal with.

I have another appointment with the GP this week so will push for another referral and try again with a therapist. Willing to try anything at the moment x

How does he spend his day?

Either on his switch, watching movies. Anything to distract himself - he's started baking recently, which is a positive.

He says his main worry is being able to socialise. And not, in his words 'stick out like a sore thumb, say something wrong and then  people think he's stupid' - he knows he isn't,  he just can't shake the worry bless him 

Thank you so much for sharing.

The work experience is absolutely something I can look into, once we can help get his panic under control - he uses breathing at the moment and it helps to a point.

I have been looking for somewhere local, but seem to be drawing a blank. 

Hopefully the GP will re refer back to the child development centre and they may be able to suggest something.

Well it’s double edged but it gives you some leverage (you can take his switch away) if he doesn’t cooperate although it doesn’t sound like it’s a problem in this case.

I’d certainly encourage the baking if you can. Maybe he can sell what he bakes to friends, family, neighbours etc.

Are there any bakeries nearby looking for baking staff or where he could volunteer / do work experience if not now in due course?

As far as being able to socialise is concerned I think I’ll leave it to someone else to help, preferably someone closer to his own age - I am 58. I’ve never entirely found a solution myself, self-medicating for 20 years with alcohol (I’m effectively teetotal now). I wasn’t diagnosed though until the age of 50 (and as bipolar type 2 at the age of 53)

Are there any children’s / young adults autism groups where you are or even groups aimed at people with disabilities full stop? I volunteer half a day a week in a local community cafe where a lot of the volunteers have various conditions including in no particular order autism, Down’s syndrome, ADHD, bipolar etc.

Well it’s double edged but it gives you some leverage (you can take his switch away) if he doesn’t cooperate although it doesn’t sound like it’s a problem in this case.

I’d certainly encourage the baking if you can. Maybe he can sell what he bakes to friends, family, neighbours etc.

Are there any bakeries nearby looking for baking staff or where he could volunteer / do work experience if not now in due course?

As far as being able to socialise is concerned I think I’ll leave it to someone else to help, preferably someone closer to his own age - I am 58. I’ve never entirely found a solution myself, self-medicating for 20 years with alcohol (I’m effectively teetotal now). I wasn’t diagnosed though until the age of 50 (and as bipolar type 2 at the age of 53)

Are there any children’s / young adults autism groups where you are or even groups aimed at people with disabilities full stop? I volunteer half a day a week in a local community cafe where a lot of the volunteers have various conditions including in no particular order autism, Down’s syndrome, ADHD, bipolar etc.

Thank you so much for sharing.

The work experience is absolutely something I can look into, once we can help get his panic under control - he uses breathing at the moment and it helps to a point.

I have been looking for somewhere local, but seem to be drawing a blank. 

Hopefully the GP will re refer back to the child development centre and they may be able to suggest something.