Kiddo will be 17 in December. Adhd since yr 2. Asd diagnosed in yr 10 finally because his learning just wasn't getting anywhere and we really couldn't understand why. (NDIS plan involved) Turns out he has a verbal comprehension learning disability. He's smartish. But more hands on. Tried work experience in yr 10... boss said he needs more 'real job experience'. Hes decided to leave in year 11 but he has a very particular direction he wants to head, but its not actually feasible. Not willing to just get any kind of job for experience. Wont do food, wont do retail, wont do ..... anything. Won't listen to alternatives. Chooses to sleep all day and game all night, despite how hard we try..... Engaged with a disability employment service who are just telling him to get his learner hours up, despite being scared of driving..... very very lost right now with how to handle him, let alone what direction to even head.
Teenage boys with rigid thought patterns
Teenage boys with rigid thought patterns
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Mental Health, Men's Business, Parenthood Guilt, Teenagers, Tips and Advice
3 Replies
Perhaps have him finish school at tafe. Then move to small courses to help him find something he likes. If he's into gaming, maybe something like EB games will spark his interests. Go talk to them and see if they can offer a casual position.
It's frustrating when they don't listen. I told mine they need to either be working or studying, no threats to be kicked out it was just a life rule in general and I think he realised then that he needed to do something. He enrolled in a tafe course and did that for a year even though he wasn't sure what he wanted to do. Then he got a fast food job because he still didn't know what he wanted to do and is still there a year later. But now there's light at the end of the tunnel and he has realised he wants more out of life than maccas and has started making plans for a career path. Sometimes you just have to let them live and learn for themselves. I would also look into him driving a bit more as you say he's scared, that means anxiety and probably affects him in other areas of his life too so make sure that is not whats holding him back. If he knows what he wants try breaking it up into smaller pieces so its easier. Even if its something a bit unlikely like eg. A podcaster, you can still work with that as a goal and do a media course at tafe so he's doing something. If he hasn't tried driving lessons with an instructor with dual controls in the car then give that a go as well, that might help his anxiety.
If you have a ndis plan all of you go to a psychologist. They can help you with strategies to help him or help him!