Friends, Family & Carers Forum

[Cp63]

Hi,I’m a newbie and am a little apprehensive at joining this forum but here goes.

Parenting a special needs child is beyond exhausting at times, especially supporting them from adolescence to adulthood.

My issue is how do you successfully support a young 21 yr old man who has ADHD, Autism level 2 and Social anxiety: understand the future challenges he will face in relation to his current paranoia diagnosis which is linked to his frequent marijuana use. He firmly believed it helped him relax so that he could communicate with his grandparents or talk to his peers. He believed it helped  him with focus, reduced his restlessness yet the reality is so different. Lack of motivation, irritability, disturbed sleep, super powers resulted in social isolation controlled by his internal voices in his head. 

ASD individuals are obsessed and become extremely fixated on ritualised behaviours therefore,  I would be interested in hearing from anyone in a similar situation.

@Cp63 

[RiverSeal]

Hey @Cp63, thank you for sharing your experiences with the Forums community!

It takes courage to be vulnerable and you have demonstrated your resilience and strength by reaching out to your peers. 

It can be challenging supporting someone who doesn't have insight into their own mental health issues. Sometimes all you can do is be there to support them and hold the light of hope that one day they will begin to recover. People have choice and control over their lives, and we can't make decisions for them as hard as it may be to witness them in need. 

Please stay connected with your peers on the Forums and I encourage you to share your thoughts and feelings. Also, there is support for carers: Home | Carer Gateway

Thank you again for sharing with the community!

Take care

RiverSeal 

[TME15]

Hi @Cp63,

i am in the same boat as you. My 17yo son is level 2 ASD and ADHD. He has been smoking weed and also using mdma. He believes these help him. He doesn’t see the difference between his prescribed meds and the ones he gets illegally. He will fixated on getting them. We have so far gone about 4 months without him consistently using them daily. The behaviours associated with his diagnosis alone are exhausting at times. Let alone with drug withdrawal. I find I’m the “bubble wrap” and the “verbal punching bag” of his comedowns. I’m like you hesitant to post. I feel very alone going through all this as I feel others will judge me as a mum. It’s really hard 

[Cp63]

Hi there,

There are many similarities between our boys. Both boys become fixated and have difficulties shifting their thinking about the benefits of smoking marijuana.  My son also had his first paranoia experience aged 18 which was drug induced. Unfortunately aged 21, my son is now being treated in hospital as his paranoia has not stopped, even after 7 weeks and we are waiting for a new diagnosis to be made. This will result in a total ‘no go’ marijuana ban as he has a predisposition and is vulnerable to this drug. My new concern is the best way for my son to understand this needs to be a lifetime ban. Drug councillor involvement is my next step when our son’s condition improves and he is able to cognitively understand the dire consequences.I wish you the best of luck and know just how lucky your son is to have such a great mum like yourself. I learned long ago never to judge, never to feel like you’re a ‘crap’ mum because special needs children require superhuman commitment and being proactive in the face of constant disappointment and lack of understanding within the community. You are your son’s advocate, he is lucky to have you.

[Cp63]

Re: Supporting Special Needs young adults with paranoia

Hi there,

There are many similarities between our boys. Both boys become fixated and have difficulties shifting their thinking about the benefits of smoking marijuana.  My son also had his first paranoia experience aged 18 which was drug induced. Unfortunately aged 21, my son is now being treated in hospital as his paranoia has not stopped, even after 7 weeks and we are waiting for a new diagnosis to be made. This will result in a total ‘no go’ marijuana ban as he has a predisposition and is vulnerable to this drug. My new concern is the best way for my son to understand this needs to be a lifetime ban. Drug councillor involvement is my next step when our son’s condition improves and he is able to cognitively understand the dire consequences.I wish you the best of luck and know just how lucky your son is to have such a great mum like yourself. I learned long ago never to judge, never to feel like you’re a ‘crap’ mum because special needs children require superhuman commitment and being proactive in the face of constant disappointment and lack of understanding within the community. You are your son’s advocate, he is lucky to have you.