I'm a mom of a 14 year old boy diagnosed with ASD and AD/HD. He's always kept to himself and never spoke about his feelings or experiences. When I would ask him a question he would just shrug his shoulders and say, "I don't know". Recently he's been opening up to me. And the things he is saying is startling. I'm so confused about his diagnosis because yes I see autism is there, but at the same time I don't... and I also see something else entirely. But I don't know what is going on in his head or how to help him because I can't feel his emotions or thoughts. Here is what I do know, and if anyone can relate please respond..
1. Definite social skills problems, but only at times. It's like he can turn it on or off.
2. He is able to read body language and facial expressions. He understands theory of mind. And he's sensitive to energy. He can especially feel what I'm feeling... and at times it's nothing but worry. I don't want him knowing that but somehow he does...
3. Extremely picky eater. Only wants carbs and fried food. It's to a point he's in serious physical trouble.
This is where things get worrisome for me......
1. He has extreme paranoia. He is afraid to drink out of the water fountain at school because he doesn't trust the water supply. He believes that trying new foods (because we've been trying in ABA therapy) will poison him. He doesn't trust others intentions and sometimes believes even me is out to get him in some way.
2. He hears a VOICE in his head talking to him. But apparently, from what he says, it's been there as long as he can remember. He has an excellent memory, and he remembers exactly how old he was when he started talking (it was 4 and a half) and he said the voice was there from the beginning. It's a "good" voice, we call it his conscience so he isn't afraid to talk about it. He will shut down if he feels something about what he said is abnormal.
3. He is emotionally flat. His eyes change sometimes. He looks at me with a weird expression with dead, lifeless, eyes. I hate to say that about my son, but it's true. Sometimes it's like he turns into someone else. But only briefly.
4. He wants to know what it's like to kill animals, but not pets.
5. He thinks he's insane. Literally. He said that. For years he said, "something is wrong with me mentally and I don't know what it is". Typing that makes me cry...
6. I believe he hallucinates. I've heard him talking on the playstation network telling kids about a pony with multi colored hair standing in his room. He tells me it was his imagination that made it real.
7. He's completely aware while he's asleep. He is able to wake himself up out of dreams because they scare him. He literally is conscious of his dreams while they are happening. He also dreams about the same things constantly, and believes that he lives two lives. One here, and one while his physical body is sleeping.
-he has an above average IQ and is musically talented. He's gifted and talented and loved more than he'll ever know. I just need to know...... is this something else other than autism?