Worried about autistic brother's meltdowns

Hi, my younger brother has autism and recently he's been getting increasingly violent. He's eleven, our parent's are divorced. Mum left about 5 years ago, so it's just me my Dad and brother. We do visit her, but really just for birthdays/Christmas, she lives quite far away.

Anyway, the other day Dad told my brother (no, he YELLED at him) never to answer the phone since it'll be someone selling things which, of course, he took very literally and now hangs up on everyone without letting them speak first. This is bad as I'm waiting on a job offer and last thing I want is him hanging up on them. While Dad was out I tried to calmly explain to him why he shouldn't do that but he must have gotten confused and it escalated into a meltdown with him punching, pulling my hair, yelling curses and pulling a kitchen knife on me. This is about the 3rd/4th time he's threatened me/Dad at knifepoint. I couldn't help it, I just started crying, I don't know what to do, how to communicate with him. He's already practically my height, and he hasn't even hit puberty yet, god knows what might happen when he's my age (I'm eighteen.) I just...idk, I need to get through to him somehow. Especially before I go off to Uni, Dad's even worse with him than I am, so when I'm off and away anything could happen, honestly I'm so worried. What should I do?

Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    The police can be a last resort please but don't be afraid to call them, your brother shouldn't get into trouble with them - they are more likely to get him some help to deal with his behaviour.

    I think you would do well to learn something more about autism, your brother needs more help and you are in a good place to help him and help to find people who can help him.

    Have you talked to your father about your brother's autism?  What does he know about autism?

    Has you brother received any help from anybody to deal with his behaviour? How does he manage with school?

Reply
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    The police can be a last resort please but don't be afraid to call them, your brother shouldn't get into trouble with them - they are more likely to get him some help to deal with his behaviour.

    I think you would do well to learn something more about autism, your brother needs more help and you are in a good place to help him and help to find people who can help him.

    Have you talked to your father about your brother's autism?  What does he know about autism?

    Has you brother received any help from anybody to deal with his behaviour? How does he manage with school?

Children
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