Anonymous wrote:I am PP with an ASD teen and ASD family member with school refusal and issues with going out.
I understand that there is autistic burnout and most experts mostly recommend “time” to heal and recharge.
I do not believe your DD is in autistic burnout; she is crippled by anxiety. It is a moot point whether she is neurodivergent, OCD, etc.
She needs to be medicated and she needs essentially, exposure therapy. As someone with OCD, (we have great genetics!) she must not be allowed to continue with her avoidance tactics. Allowing that is reinforcing the behavior and making it worse.
I understand making a person with autism do something they don’t want to do, is all but impossible. However, you can leverage your good relationship with her. You need to set some ground rules or create a contract that specifies an improvement plan. Her choice to start. What is it going to be? She can choose: 1) get back on medication 2) go back to therapy 3) go out of the house x number of times a week and where. This should be tied to something. Internet and phone access? If she refuses then perhaps she needs an outpatient program? You need to tell her that things cannot continue this way. You are enabling her.
At the very least, you should set up an appointment for yourself with a medical provider to discuss how to tackle this. Join AANE.
https://aane.org/ You post in the message boards or set up an appointment with a provider.
I wish you the best of luck and my heart goes out to your DD.