Published on 12, July, 2020
My adult son (28) does not acknowledge his ASD diagnosis (which he has had since age 14) and masks his autism (and his learning disabilities) so well that he has been successful in getting jobs that he is entirely unsuited for. These jobs inevitably end badly as his employers realise his skill set is not what the job requires and/or incidents occur. He has completely unrealistic employment aspirations. Has anyone else had this experience and how can I help him become more realistic about work opportunities and open about his ASD with employers and others?
Yes I understand..in fact I think that's fairly common in being diagnosed late as.my son diagnosed at 18 and like you say they learn to mask as they're not given any other option ...but it's actually dangerous in the respect that you'll be with them and forget they're autistic..and then boom something goes horribly wrong which serves as a reminder that they have autism so yes i understand. It's really hard because a lot of times they don't want to listen to there parents..mind you what child does when they're at that age..the only thing I can think of is to get him to listen to others like himself on how they found and navigated the world being an adolescent and the choices they made..it's helped my son a bit in that he watches you tube video if other autistic people telling of there experience and the choices they made and how it's been for them....he currently now knows he has to find the environment that suits him ie he needs quite places etc..its important your son recognise his diagnosis as then he can know how to move forward...it's very hard and I had a very difficult time.with my son when he was diagnosed and in fact it took 5 yrs until he actually came out of denial about it and when he did he got dangerously depressed...I'd even recommend getting him professional help..as.its really a very delicate matter.