Hello, just looking for some advice from others who may have been in a similar situation.
I have always thought my 14 year old DS has Autism in one way or another. He's always been academically brilliant but struggled to cope with simpler things like working out money/coins, finding his way around etc. amongst many, many other signs. However (perhaps stupidly) I didn't feel the need to see anybody about it, his teachers have never flagged it up, he had a little friend bubble in primary school who were protective over him and it just felt like we were dealing with it well.
Fast forward to his now teenage years and I feel very out of my depth. As he should be gaining more independence and responsibility, it's becoming more and more apparent that he struggles with basic things - any change to his normal routine, he buys the same three things at the shop when I have asked him to go to the shop, he walks the school bus route if he needs to go anywhere and won't be persuaded not to. He has always had obsessions and collections throughout his life but now he doesn't seem to realise that people don't want to always just talk about whatever he is currently obsessed with. I've tried to explain the art of conversation to him and how it's important he allows others to speak but it's seemingly lost on him.
I've completed a self referral form (as advised by our GP) and I'm waiting to hear from them.
I guess I'm just wondering if anybody has been in a similar situation. I feel like I've let him down.
Many thanks.