My dad refuses to accept my autism and I don’t want to be around him
DEAR DEIDRE: I USED to visit my dad every weekend but rarely go now.
He is so rude to everyone around him and isn’t supportive of my autism.
It’s as if he thinks it is some kind of made-up condition, even though my mum has tried numerous times to talk to him about it.
I’m a 21-year-old man. My parents split up when I was 14.
I now have stepbrothers, as my dad has two children with his partner, and I really miss them.
They are only eight and six. I think they must miss me too because they always ask me when I am coming to stay.
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Dad is not easy to talk to and I never really know what he is thinking.
My stepmum is like a female version of him.
Neither of them treats me like an adult. I don’t know what to do.
DEIDRE SAYS: I can understand your frustrations and why you’re reluctant to visit.
Do try once more to talk to your dad. Perhaps you could meet somewhere neutral away from his home.
Find out what he thinks autism is and start from there.
You could also suggest that together you watch Inside Our Autistic Minds, a brilliant show with Chris Packham.
If he won’t discuss it, sadly there may be little you can do to change his mind.
Also, contact the National Autistic Society (0808 800 4104, autism.org.uk), who will be able to help you.