Dd in University. How do I help her adjust to the real world.

[Emptinest]

My dd with anxiety, Sensory Processing disorder and OCD has recently started university. She has moved a couple of hours away to a smallish city.
So far it is going well. She likes her course and is settled in her accommodation.
At times it is hard for to believe she has done it. I am so proud of her. She was miserable in school and says she is much happier now.

I worry a lot though because she didn't have what would be considered a normal teenage hood. She is over 18 but i think socially she is younger. She struggled with friendships so didn't really socialise outside of school at all. She didn't ever have a job. She has no experience of relationships.
Happily she has made some friends and has started to go out. I've tried to talk to her about safe sex, alcohol since she was younger but she never wanted to think about those things as I think she felt she would never be part of that world. She's missed out on experiencing those things in a gradual way and I'm not sure she is prepared. She is quite naive and inexperienced.
Now she is in the real world how do I support her?
I'd love to chat with parents who are in or have been in a similar situation.

My ds is at uni and in the same boat, didn’t want relationships/friends before but does now.
I am just doing the ‘talks’ as I would if he had reached this stage at 15. Just have to keep talking and some of it will sink in.
keeping safe online is also important as well as keeping safe in real life.
I say to my son that having xyz diagnosis may be a reason for ‘whatever behaviour’ but it’s not an excuse and if behaviour is unsafe it needs to change.
fortunately is so much easier to keep in touch these days than years ago. So keep in close contact

How is she getting on now @Emptinest?

My ND son has just applied to uni and I am really worried how he will navigate it. He has never had a relationship doesn't have many proper friends but actually loves socialising but he doesn't drink. He has never been on a sleepover or never been on a residential with school BUT he is very very independent ... I didn't have much input into his uni choices and I haven't even seen his UCAS forms... He goes to all appointments on his own as he hates feeling inadequate or unable.... My 20 yr old NT daughter will still not go to appointments on her own and in some respects he seems much older than her!!!

He is also so excited and can't wait to leave home but I worry about his vulnerability. He is very sensible and very mature in some things but like a 10 yr old in others.

You can't really talk to him about anything because he just says he is almost an adult and stop babyfying him!!!

It really is a worry - He sometimes phones me multiple times a day if things go wrong!

I would just like to keep him home for ever and safe from the big wide world but I also know he will be very succesful as he is very passionate about his subject and exceptionally hardworking.

Sounds like your DD is doing well but I bet you worry constantly. From a selfish point of view I am not looking forward to the worry I am going to be under as he never really ventures out far I neverr have had to worry about what is he up to? What is he drinking?