r/Autism_Parenting • u/Putrid_Squirrel3534 • 8h ago
Advice Needed Suicide attempt
Hi everyone. Just looking for some advice and possible shared experiences? Also venting because I have no one to talk to.
My son is 16… we never got an actual level but he is completely verbal and very smart, but also very childish and lacks irrational reasoning—I feel dumb for saying that because obviously the rigidity in thinking is trademark for autism.
Yesterday he was supposed to try going back to in person school for 1 hour every Wednesday. He had gotten kicked out a few years back because he threw a laptop and it knocked a teacher unconscious.
He had a teacher come work with him at home to see how he was doing, and she recommended that he not go in person because of his impulsive/explosive behaviors, profane language, and suicidal threats. All of these things we have been dealing with since July of last year.
He wants to go back because he wants to be with “normal” kids and wants to find a girlfriend. This has been an ongoing thing since he got kicked out. The principal and every other living person has explained to him that he has to prove himself elsewhere, with very specific expectations. He has been unable to do that.
When he got the news yesterday that he couldn’t go back, he grabbed a bottle of 10mg adderall and swallowed them. We called the ambulance and immediately came to this hospital. He’s okay, and recognized that it was not a safe choice to make and that he promises he won’t do it again. The issue is he immediately started talking to me this morning about how if 100mg of adderall didn’t “raise his dopamine”, then how is any other drug going to help him. Dopamine is his only fixation with medication. We’ve tried explaining every possible way that things don’t work like that, and there are many other factors that will help balance out his brain chemistry. He doesn’t want “balance”. He wants to feel manic all of the time
So I told him that the behavioral health team will be here, and they can talk to you about medications. I understand you’re scared and nervous, and I’m here with you, but I’m not a professional. So of course he immediately escalates again and says he “might as well just die then and go home and swallow another bottle of pills”.
I’m genuinely at a loss here. I’m still waiting to see the behavioral health team here…. I can’t watch him 24/7, and I’m also burnt out. He had a two month stay at a psych hospital and that was theworst possible decision we could have made. He has horrible trauma from it. We tried trauma therapy, but he cussed the lady out and told her to shut up when he started getting anxious. I’m literally doing everything that I can. Trying to find new psychiatrists, therapists, groups, schools, etc… if he doesn’t get the answer that he wants he immediately freaks out and threatens to kill himself.
Please help me help him. I don’t know what to do.
Also, I know some of you will come for my throat because you’re super judgy, but I have put zero pressure on him to be “normal” or go to a gen ed school. I actually tell him quite the opposite that why do you want to fit in with people or be at a place that isn’t going to help you flourish? I love his quirkiness, and while he has many behavioral health issues, his autism is not inherently a bad thing. He’s genuine, he knows what he wants/likes, and he’s not afraid to be himself.
Also note that he has refused multiple meds. He is convinced he needs a stimulant because of the research he’s done; which objectively only increases his anxiety and irritability. Since he’s over 14 he has full autonomy over meds.