This doesn’t read so much as a hot take and more like a cry for help. I’m sorry to hear that you have been having a hard time with your son. Any divorce is difficult, and having a child with special needs certainly doesn’t make it easier.

I of course don’t know the whole situation, but based on what you’ve written here, I would reccommend two things. First, at your next sessions with your son’s therapist, you might ask her if she knows, or has information on where to find, someone who can help you with parenting and divorce from your perspective. It’s important to remember that the therapist is always on your side, and you need not be embarrassed to ask her about such things.

Second, I think it might be valuable to search for other autistic parents and/or children in your area so you can share experiences and tips. Your son might also appreciate meeting children who are more like him, especially later on. Perhaps you can find parenting groups online, or you might ask the therapist about this as well.

Whatever you choose to do, I wish you a lot of strength and success.

Hey, I stumbled across this post while surfing All. I don’t have much experience with Autism but I am a parent. One of the coolest things about being a parent is that it is a lifelong journey of growth and development.

As you watch your child grow and learn, you are also growing and learning as a parent. You are constantly learning new things about yourself, your child, and the world. You are also making mistakes and learning from them. This process of growth and development is never-ending, and it is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a parent.

It is also important to remember that just because you are an adult does not mean that you are done with your life journey. You are still learning and growing, and your child is watching you do it. They are learning from your mistakes and your successes. They are also learning about the importance of lifelong learning and personal growth.

You’re not alone. Every parent goes through tough times. My kids have more friends than I do… but I got to all their activities, play times, and events to support them. It’s okay to make mistakes! Looking down the road to school, working with your son to find resources to help with those tough math problems means you’ll be teaching him how to better seek help for himself in the future - this is an incredibly valuable skill that’s easy to overlook in normal work. Being open and honest about the struggles you face and the ways you look for help (as you’ve done here) are powerful lessons for a growing child.

Very few people a really ready to become parents. You’re figuring this out along the way just like everyone else. Grant yourself some grace, remember the wonderful things about your son, take care of yourself, and believe in yourself. You are strong and capable.

I didn’t read other comments, I just came to say this: for your child it doesn’t matter what you lack or what you are not able to give him. With a healthy relation, full of acceptance of your own problems that child will respect you no matter what because you will teach him things no other parent would: that everyone has some difficulties in life and it’s a matter of your own decisions how you deal with it.

Kids love their parents in so much shit situations that it’s unbelievable. If you love that little human they will love you back no matter what.

I have some speech problems like stuttering and more and my son never considered it as a problem, because that’s who I am and that’s how I speak.

That’s also something kids do that we adults don’t, they take everything as is without questioning it. Dad sometimes can’t pronounce everything like others and that’s how it is. They don’t judge whether it’s bad or good. It is what it is.

If you try being a good parent (and parents who fear being a bad parent usually are good) it’s gonna be all right.

Op here:

I didn’t expect such a response. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. I value and appreciate all your comments and support. I will respond to the rest of you later.

Thank you

First let me say how deeply I feel for you and feel this. We exist in a world that is not meant for us and I wish I had some words of wisdom for you but I do not. Instead know that you’re not alone. I know I struggle mightily from executive dysfunction and never made the transition from childhood to adulthood very well or smoothly. I do not have children of my own so I won’t be able to relate to you on that front but I can strongly relate to the difficulty of establishing routines. My employment history is a mess and so is, for the most part, my whole life. Yet somehow I can muddle through.

If you only take one thing away from my comment, please know that you’re not a monster and that you are likely misunderstood by ignorant people. If I could ask, beg, or plead with you to do one thing it would be: If you are able to, please seek out some mental health therapy. Untreated depression can exacerbate sensory issues and issues with organization and routine. Depression is more than just mood impairment but it is cognitive impairment as well. I am 46 and I was diagnosed three year years after you. Simply being diagnosed rocked to me very core. While it confirmed my suspicions, I wasn’t prepared to fully deal with it and face it. It ended my relationship with my fiancee.

Dude, 2yos are tough, being a first time parent is tough, and being a single parent is tough. You’re in a tough spot without anything else added to the mix. Take some comfort in that these things are hard and you’re not alone and it’s not just your condition. This is a stressful time regardless, so hang in there!!

Not autistic (I only found the post via m/all) but I am a dad of a 1 year old.

Cue’s are tough to read. Every time I think I’m getting them, they seem to change. My daughter starts throwing fits at random and I’m just lost running around trying to figure out Whats wrong and if it’s something she needs or if it’s just her not getting what she wants.

I also find I get nasty looks from other parents when I go to the park if my wife isn’t with me. I got the cops called on my for kidnapping my own daughter on more than 1 occasion. Dad’s can’t be dad’s in public when it’s just them and their children. The status quo means you shouldn’t know how to parent and should be at home falling apart the second a diaper needs changed because you just don’t know what to do. Anything else and something is wrong and the police need involved.

I have family with autism. I have friends with autism. I am sure that makes is more difficult. I have no doubts there. But I think being a single dad is adding more to the troubles than you think it is.

I just feel like giving up. I don’t know what to do

That sounds very normal for any parent of a toddler, never mind dealing with autism and divorce!

Don’t beat yourself up: Parenting can be very difficult for any parent under ideal circumstances let alone where you’re at now.

I can’t tell you anything that will magically make this better for you now but I can tell you things will get better, don’t give up: Just take it one day at a time and be willing to accept help where you can get it.

I have high-functioning autism and a child on the spectrum. Parenting is difficult enough without adding in extra complications. However, the fact that you have an understanding of your shortcomings and are working to remedy them puts you ahead of many parents already.

It sounds like you are both going to need to work on interactions. That’s OK, you may just need some extra help and patience. Parenting is a learning process for both the parent and the child.

Here’s something that has worked for me and my son. We would take walks outside in different natural surroundings and point out things we find. If I found a mushroom I would point it out and talk about it. If he found an insect he would get excited and show it to me. A very low pressure environment that gets people talking and learning.

I would also be honest with his therapists about your autism. You may benefit from joint sessions with him and sessions alone with your own therapist. It is important to find the right therapists who are willing to help both of you without judgment. If one is not working out, don’t be afraid to move to another.

Not to take away from what you are going through but what you are feeling right now is probably something every parent feels at some point, especially when their children are so young and doubly so when dealing with divorce. If possible, seek out help from your family, friends, and local resources. This shit is really hard even for neurotypical people. Try to be kind and patient with yourself, not just your son and, not to sound cliche, but take it one day at a time.

I relate to this, though I am not autistic myself. My wife and I certainly worry about whether our own personal challenges are going to impact our children. For example, we are both introverts and having to take a kid to a birthday party, mingle and make small talk with other parents is awful, it ruins the whole weekend. Of course, we still go, but our kids don’t have as many play dates as other kids do. You know what, though? They will be fine. We play board games and video games and read.

All kids have advantages in some areas and gaps in others that they will have to work on as they grow. You can’t teach them everything, and yet they will become fully functional adults anyway. You’re doing a great job taking your kid to therapy and getting him help he can’t get from you, that ~~shows that you love him and can take care of him. Focus on passing on your strengths and not trying to avoid passing on your failings.

I don’t think that there is such a thing as a “normal parent”. For each way that you feel you fall short, you’re probably doing amazing in another area.

Don’t give up!

I am diagnosed autistic, and have never wanted children. The more my family has found out about autism, the more we realise my dad is probably autistic as well, and I’ve gotta say, much as I love him, he probably should not have had kids.

Sometimes I think about the good and bad things about my early childhood, being one of three autistic siblings with an autistic mom, and as I’m getting older and starting to consider adopting, wondering what it was like for her. I’ve also been talking to friends about their neurodivergent parents. It seems like the most important thing is making an effort to be present in his life and emotionally support him - even if you’re not perfect, kids seem to be able to tell if you’re genuinely putting in the work or not. I know people with fairly unstable parents who still had a pretty good childhood and have good adult relationships with their parents because their parents were trying their best, and they could see it.

I think you sound really self-aware as well as considerate of his needs, and that’s a really good sign. If you don’t have a personal therapist, I would recommend finding one though. And both for your son and yourself, don’t be afraid to shop around for therapists that are the best match.

This is the kind of post that makes me think that maybe people with autism just have prohibitively much self-awareness. As far as I can estimate, you care more than most parents already.