My toddler’s anxiety is affecting my mental health
Hi everyone,
My son is 3 years old and has not been diagnosed with autism yet. To give some background, we were advised to wait and continue monitoring his development because he does not present with the more typical autistic traits.
He has a mild speech delay and severe anxiety. He has been going to kindergarten for the past year, and we are very fortunate to have such understanding and caring staff there. Still, drop-offs break my heart every single day. While the other children run in excitedly, my son becomes extremely anxious during separation. Lately, he closes his eyes and says he is scared. He has only one friend there, and when that child is present, he feels a little more comfortable.
Social situations are difficult for him in general. Whenever we have friends over, he does not want to play with the other children, even though they attend the same kindergarten. At the playground, if it is crowded, he usually just observes instead of joining in. We never force him, but we do gently encourage him to try new things and experience new environments.
He is also very rigid about certain things and struggles when something does not go the way he expects, which often leads to meltdowns. We started occupational therapy and speech therapy last year, but he is still not comfortable with either therapist and sometimes refuses to participate altogether.
I honestly feel overwhelmed. Everything feels like a struggle right now — from bath time to leaving the house. It is affecting my mental health deeply, and I am finding it hard to focus on my job.
How do you cope with this? I have no personal experience with anxiety because both my husband and I are quite social people, and he is our only child. It is hard not to compare him to other children. I would really appreciate any advice or tips from parents who have gone through something similar.
I just feel so heartbroken for my little boy, and lately I cannot stop crying.