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SN teens and young adults

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on SN.

Struggling with 12ds

2 replies

Jinnybean · 18/08/2021 16:57

Ds is currently waiting for a referral to CAHMs. He was diagnosed with gdd at 3 and was in the process of being tested for autism but I was very unwell and pulled out of the testing. One of my biggest regrets in life.

His temper and attitude is awful. He speaks to me and his dad like crap, but when we tell him off he massively plays the victim and thinks he’s done nothing wrong.

He can’t take “jokes” but will be rude and blunt without realising or thinking it’s rude.

His routine is ridiculous, as soon as it’s 12 he comes down for lunch and he can’t wait any longer. He panics if it’s later.

At school they say he can’t wait his turn, shouts out answers and is a “know it all” and will argue if he thinks he’s hard done by.
He’s extremely smart though and is
Doing amazing in his school work.

It’s so tiring, the min he wakes up he whines and moans. I’m
Exhausted from it 🙏🏻

OP posts:
BlankTimes · 19/08/2021 10:47

He speaks to me and his dad like crap
No neurodiverse or any other condition makes this acceptable. Social communication can be a huge area , but rudeness should not be tolerated.

Tell him there needs to be changes in the way you all communicate with each other as a family. Start as though he was a toddler, explain how to ask for things and how conversation works, the turn-taking, the polite way to ask, using please and thank-you etc.

Remember, no matter how you model 'good behaviour' he won't absorb that by osmosis. Be aware at all times that he doesn't automatically understand the rules of social communication, he cannot see or understand inferences and hints so your communication to him needs to be very very straightforward.
Instead of saying 'tidy your room' or 'pack your schoolbag' then get frustrated when he appears to be clueless, break each task down to one simple instruction at a time, then when he's done that use another simple instruction and demonstration if necessary until the task is completed.

His academic intelligence does not mean he should instinctively know how to do other things. He needs guidance and instruction on some things. Look up Executive Function.

Perhaps research ASD and ADHD and learn about techniques you can use to start to ease his anxiety and need for rigid control.
www.autism.org.uk/
www.additudemag.com/category/parenting-adhd-kids/

Be aware that neurodiverse kids can have a large gap between their emotional age and their chronological age, the ballpark for that is usually around two thirds, so if you perceive him to be emotionally immature, that's okay, take that into account to manage your expectations of his emotional capabilities.

His routine is ridiculous, as soon as it’s 12 he comes down for lunch and he can’t wait any longer. He panics if it’s later
That's him trying to control his anxiety by imposing rigid rules, you need to help him to be more flexible. It's not an easy task, lots of time and patience required.

Start to vary your lunchtimes. If he needs a weeks notice to get to grips with the idea, do that and remind him every day that's what's going to happen. Then on the appointed day, tell him at breakfast, today, lunch will be a t 12.15. And stick to it.

Also look at Ross Greene's The Explosive Child and his website Lives in the Balance.

Once you understand why he behaves in certain ways and you have the knowledge of how to accommodate or circumvent that, life will be a lot easier, but it takes a lot of time. Flowers

SpecialchildSupermum · 09/09/2021 07:55

I can relate sadly to all the OP is saying. But I just want to say that I found BLANKS reply the most informative and helpful post in a long time. Thank you. And OP I hope things improve for you Flowers

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