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Neurodiverse Mumsnetters

Use this forum to discuss neurodiverse parenting.

DH help

10 replies

ithoughtitmihtbenicetochat · 29/05/2022 21:11

I really need some guidance.
My DH (together 13 years, married 9) is a recently diagnosed neurodiverse individual, asd and adhd.
We have two children, 3 and 7.
Both work full time.
In our lives he has had about 12 jobs, and either quit, been fired or made redundant. He doesn't do much around the house, the occasional job, and bedtimes. He can't make meals, do laundry, manage school admin, manage any personal admin, or money. I did it all as I had fantasies of being a stay at home mum in the early days of our lives )met at 18). But now I am a mum of two, I have learnt and grown and am doing it all by myself. He hasn't done any of that. He would still be the teen boy gaming and eating tinned soup and ravioli for every meal. However this isn't the biggest issue.

My main issue is behaviour.
I work with children with emotional issues, and do encounter the neurodiverse and I support them.

But, and this is a huge but, I am not coping with DH.
His temper is insane, his communication is nonexistent, he scares me a lot. He scares the children too.
I have a temper and I do shout, I have a pain condition and the pain plus temper makes me crabby, and he says this is the same as him yelling, but it isn't. My shouting doesn't make the children, or him shake and cry instantly. Whereas his does.
He can snap so quickly, and he grabs them and has left large handprints on them. And on me tbh.
I've told him this is abusive.
He says he can't be abusive as it is a symptom of his neurodiversity.
He says don't I work with children who lash out, and I advocate for them, so why can't I for him.

I'm at a loss. I want to remove him from my home to protect me and my babies. But I also don't want to 'exclude him' for behaviour he can't help.

He isn't seeking any help, and he won't look at any of the learning I've tried to send him or show him.

OP posts:
ofwarren · 29/05/2022 21:20

Him being ND is not an excuse for being abusive OP.
My DH would be out the door if he ever laid hand on my kids.

ithoughtitmihtbenicetochat · 29/05/2022 21:27

I thought that too.
But I work with children who are excluded for hitting teachers or peers, and the argument is that the violence is a symptom and not their fault.
Isn't this the same?

The violence is a symptom of an environment full of intolerable stress.

OP posts:
BigOldBlobber · 29/05/2022 21:29

You are advocating, you're advocating for your children to grow up feeling safe and not anxious about their fathers temper.

His ND may offer some degree of a reason for his behaviour but unfortunately for him, is not an excuse. Get him gone OP. You need to focus on the kids now, and it sounds like you get that anyway.

Are you in a position to make moves for you and the kids? X

ithoughtitmihtbenicetochat · 29/05/2022 21:34

Yes, I am. I can afford the house and bills, and am capable to care for them because I know he can't.
We discussed splitting, and his argument was 'neurodveristy' and he said something like "oh so you'd take my children away from me because I have asd and adhd that's lovely!" And then "how can you support young people when your attitude towards people with needs is so awful?"

OP posts:
Readtheroom · 29/05/2022 21:36

He needs professional help, a carer, therapy, behaviour management etc etc. Has he considered those before? Hes in no position to be a father. I hope hes got someone to support him Sad

HereIAmBrainTheSizeOfAPlanet · 29/05/2022 21:40

He is abusing your children and you are letting him. Hurting children is NOT a symptom of ASD.

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 29/05/2022 21:44

He is emotionally and physically abusing your children and you are failing to protect them.

Readtheroom · 29/05/2022 21:48

www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/distressed-behaviour/all-audiences

There will be similar articles. My guess is that he never grew out of it because he didnt get enough of the right support.

ofwarren · 29/05/2022 22:15

ithoughtitmihtbenicetochat · 29/05/2022 21:27

I thought that too.
But I work with children who are excluded for hitting teachers or peers, and the argument is that the violence is a symptom and not their fault.
Isn't this the same?

The violence is a symptom of an environment full of intolerable stress.

Look, I have autism and my husband has ADHD and even if the violence IS a symptom of his environment then you still shouldn't be with him. It is 100% unacceptable to hurt you or your children, no matter what his condition or medical needs are.
No excuses whatsoever.
Protect your kids OP.

Lillygolightly · 29/05/2022 22:19

Even if and it’s a big if he can’t help his behaviour, the safety and well-being of the children must come first!! As a parent the children come first, surely he must understand this?! Whatever reasons or excuses for his outbursts, and whether he can help it or not does not change the fact that it scares the children and it scares you, and if it frightens you as an adult think how much more it must frighten the children!!!

Ask yourself how many sacrifices you have made for your children, how many times have you put yourself second or even last because it was what was best for them at the time. I bet you can’t even count! This is just another one of those times, because he cannot be allowed to be putting his hands on you or his children and frightening you all, and it doesn’t matter why he is doing it, just that he IS doing it and that it needs to stop! He needs to leave so you and your children can stop living in fear.

He is an adult and a parent, whatever his ND issues he doesn’t have the luxury of saying he can’t help it so that’s it, that’s not it! It is not up to others to manage his behaviour, it’s up to him to manage his behaviour!!!

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