Sounds exactly like my 14 yo daughter. The thing that has changed all of our lives dramatically is cbd oil. She will go to school now. She goes to social functions...church, youth group, family dinners... where before it was a toss up whether she would go even to her favorite restaurant. It's not perfect, but it's world's better than it was before she started taking the cbd.

I have Aspergers. When I was fourteen we had AOL. Strangers were my friends. I couldn't find anyone besides people on the net who would understand me. So maybe that's why? Also, being at home is safe. You don't have to deal with situations. Being out in public is still uncomfortable to me. I don't like people looking at me. I don't like the chatter of people at restaurants and schools were always MUCH too loud for me. But take that TECH enthusiasm and ask your child to do something with it. I think the above comment was great. just monitor what they are on. There is some really bad stuff on the net!

As for school. Explain to the child WHY. A "because I said so" means nothing to an Aspie and threats only make it worse. Yes. They do have to go to school or Defacs will come, but you need to try to find out WHY he doesn't want to do these things. Sometimes aspie's don't understand the why they should unless they have a good reason to :)

Puberty is VERY difficult for autistic teenagers. Weird things are going on with their bodies that they are more aware of due to interoception. Social requirements become extreme, particularly with the introduction of dating. This is very normal. Try for a smaller school if possible. Once I made it to college and found people with similar interests to mine, I had more motivation to socialize. Now with the Internet and texting, both my teenagers can interact socially but not in person. Encourage your child to at least log in to their favorite YouTube channels or fan fiction on Tumbler and post comments and respond to other people's comments. It's better than nothing, and they are learning scripts they can use later in real life. Good luck.

Same situation as many of you there with our teenage daughter very slow procrastinating to get ready to go out. We have had her sensory integration needs assessed. Now getting some help on that front from the Occupational Therapist. It is making a big change to her social life - she is much more comfortable with her senses - so she can start to interact. I've got the support from Temple Grandin and Sean Barron's book - unwritten rules of social relationship. It's a little gem. I hope this can help you too. xx

My son is 27 now. He attends college but still finds socialization difficult. He refuses to go near a therapist of any medical facility. I can't get him to wear a coat or shoes when its cold. He will only eat hamburgers chicken nuggets and fries everyday. There are no resources out here for over age18 . SsI keeps rejecting his application for benefits because he wont go to the doctor. He has melt downs and breaks thing when he is overwhelmed. Hes 6'1, 175lbs. I'm 66yrs old and 5'6. I have called the police when he does this and all they tell me to do is kick him out like that will help him. He has no male roll models. He wants a girlfriend but is social awkward. He will talk me to death but gets non verbal around others. He is very smart and in school graduating in December from SCC in Audio Engineering and he is in an honor society. He will go to play his guitar at open mics but at home all he does is play video games to calm his anxiety. I know he's searching of outlets too and for people to accept him. It's sad to watch him struggling with his life. When he is not stressed he is the sweetest nicest person. He tries to give others advice via fb who are struggling.
Just a lot to deal with at my age. Im tired and I know he is. We are low income and I have searched hi and low for resources for years and it seems nobody cares about us. Our family invites me for Christmas and Thanksgiving but not him. It breaks my heart and his. I about to just give up hope. When I die....what will happen to him? Nothing good 😟😥