Ds ASD was verbal but becoming increasingly non verbal

[asdx2]

Ds 15 diagnosed at three when it was felt he wouldn't acquire normal speech. He did slowly and by seven have normal speech.
Since about 12 his speech has lessened year on year and for the last year at home he has spoken very little apart from discussing football statistics prefering to eye point and signal with his finger to get his needs met.
At school he seemed to be speaking as much as they expected which wasn't much but did when asked questions and to get his needs met.
At the end of last week I got an email from school saying they were very concerned as ds was becoming increasingly non verbal and apparently now for all intents and purposes he is non verbal although interestingly since he gave up speaking at school he has spoken more at home.
He has been under a lot of pressure at school with exams, outings, work experience so my thinking is selective mutism but not sure tbh.
Anyone else had a similar experience? Anyone have any advice?Will be meeting school to discuss but not sure what I can offer tbh.

I have heard of this although I dont have any direct experience of it. Hopefully someone else will be along shortly to give you advice

I know that teenagers do become monosyllabic (autistic or not) - could it be partly the hormones? Boys especially can withdraw into their shells, and I remember my brothers spending a lot of time in their rooms and just grunting at everyone. Also, my teenage stepdaughters (one of whom is autistic) now talk far less to the boring adults in their lives, though they do chat away to their friends. I am sorry I cannot be of more help, good luck with the meeting.

I have seen a mum tell a similar story on another forum- I don't think she got to the bottom of it - Child was verbal and non verbal several times.

Only thing I would say is perhaps check out if anything like Landau-Kleffner / epilepsy related even if not actually had a fit. Might be worth pushing for EEG just to rule this out. Does seem as though choosing when to speak and not speak though given the school / home experience varies.

I have a 16 year old ds (no SN's) and he has become very quiet in the last year and spends a lot of time in his room. So perhaps age and exams, hormones etc have something to do with it.

Probably amplified even more by the autism, in your case i would imagine.

Sorry i cant be of more help.