My lovely ds (11) was recently and unsurprisingly I guess diagnosed with ASD/HFA. My very domineering dsis had been at me to have him assessed but there were various obstacles in the way and his characteristics were very mild until recently when he started having extreme anxiety around puberty including pretty bad meltdowns, and his friends started withdrawing from him due to his continued interests (some would say obsessions) in activities and hobbies they've moved on from.
Anyway, she has never once asked how we are or if she can help at all and despite me asking if we might meet up or spend time together (my ds is very fond of her kids) including inviting her family over she always says she is too busy but is very keen to give (unwanted) advice and spends time with other family members.
When she was going through a rough patch a few years ago, I was always available for her, called her every day, received her calls any hour of the day and offered to help in practical ways as well. Same has happened with another sibling who I also helped through a tough time.
Anyway, I feel very let down as I could really do with just having someone to talk to a little and for someone to show more interest in my ds who I can see becoming more withdrawn and isolated and who is a lovely boy really suffering from chronic insomnia and anxiety. He has had an increasing number of meltdowns at home but not in front of family.
WIBU to ask straight out if they can help him feel more part of a family network or do I wait until help is offered? I do understand everyone has busy lives and their own problems but as well as being really worried for him I can also feel myself becoming very withdrawn as I don't know how to talk about my ds with friends and am conscious that most people I know have a fair amount going on in their lives and I don't really want to impose. If anyone has been through something like this I'd be grateful if they could advise how they helped build up a network of support/interest for their dc or themselves.