New to this site

Dear Sharon

Thanks so much for introducing yourself and welcome to talk about autism!  You have come to the right place and I am sure that many of the other parents on here will pop in and say hello soon too.

I hope you find lots of information within the forum and don't hesitate to ask lots of questions - that's what we're here for!

Anna

TreeHouse Staff

Hi Sharon

Welcome to the forum, I am mum to 2 boys (1 11 month old baby & 1 4 year old with ASD).  It must be very hard being a single parent especially if you have no local support group.

I find talking on this forum very helpful and look forward to talking more with you in the future.

Is there anything particular on your mind at the moment or are you just looking for a general chat with people who understand?  either way we are all here for you so ask away if there is anything on your mind. 

Tracy - Community Champion

Hi Sharon

Welcome to the group.

I am also a single parent with three kids (all teenagers), the youngest has a diagnosis of Aspergers, he is 14 and I am sure my oldest who is 19 would also fit the criteria for Aspergers but he doesnt want to be diagnosed.  Your son sounds very much similar to my own ... fond of the computer and gaming machines.  Does your son has a very restricted diet by any chance?  My son only eats cereal and a particular yoghurt at the moment.  he was eating chicken for a while but that has stopped.   Having said that he doesnt seem to suffer any medical/physical difficulties because of it.

Does your son sleep OK?  I have found both my boys dont get a great deal of sleep .. I used to think it was because they didnt need it, but it turns out that they have difficulty winding down their thoughts and brain processes and hence cant get to sleep.   Lately Tom has taken to listening to music through his mobile phone with the earphones plugged in and this has helped him get to sleep.  Some kids also find rope lights or sensory type lights helpful to calm them down to allow sleep.   I think some of the other parents also use sleep remedies ... my oldest tried the Nytol tabs which he felt did help him.

Josie - Community Champion

Hi Sharon

Tom is in mainstream as well although High School has turned out to be much more difficult for him with all the class and teacher changeovers for the different subjects, along with their different teaching styles and ideas on discipline.

I think the fact that he is developing an obsession about his weight is a bit worrying.  Maybe he got this from an advert on tv or something someone has said to him.  I have to watch Tom with TV adverts he believes everything they say and if it is one with a phone number displayed he is always phoning them!  It might be worthwhile trying to get hold of a book or pamphlet that deals with nutrition so that he gets a balanced view on what is healthy and what is not.  I think its really great that he reads books;  neither of my boys have been readers, my oldest has only just started at the age of 19 but restricts it to books that involve wars and battles.  My daughter is an avid reader and always has her nose in a book, but the boys just cant seem to cope with reading for some reason. 

Have a look round some of the discussion boards;  there are lots of them with some great advice and tips in them and feel free to start a new one if there is some subject in particular that you want to cover that you cant find a board already opened for it.  You will see we also have a "rant room" to go and moan about anything and everything and get it off your chest ... you will see we all use it frequently!!

Josie - Community Champion