I agree with carrying on working because it retains a sense of normality and routine, and it gives you some respite.
If you are home 24/7 the authorities could be likely to take the easier option and just leave you to it, putting you on the back burner because he has you at home 24/7.
Dig your heels in. Stand firm. You have a job. Keep it as long as you can or permanently.
I don’t know the level of your son’s abilities etc and I shan’t pry so please don’t be offended if he is highly capable, I am looking at the scenario if he needs support. There are others who are more knowledgeable than me with better advice but you need to look at the future if he needs support.
You need to do some forward thinking for up to 5 years ahead and find out information for his future.
You need information and knowledge about benefits and support and bear in mind that it is a fluid situation with the authorities changing the goalposts but you must find out because big changes to his life are imminent.
thinking about end of school - college or what?
End of college - what then? work? unable to work?
Independent living?
As said, a friend lost lots of help and benefits when her son had his 18th birthday and went from a disabled child with a degenerative fatal disease overnight to an official adult with the same disease and deteriorating all the time. There was no handover and a massive chase around for several months.
Also she had no say in his medical treatments and was not consulted as a parent of her child because overnight he was a man now, an adult and it was patient confidentiality and his decisions.
Having managed the finances and housekeeping she was left short with the cut in benefits and his money was more than her disposable money but she couldn’t touch his money and was much too proud to use her sons money for even such as buying him an ice cream.
If you are not in a local autism group join it, if your son doesn’t want to know fair enough, but you need to see them as a parent and carer and see what advice you can find out.
You need to tally up the money you would have when your sons status changes from child to adult depending on him carrying on at school, leaving and/or turning 18.
Also consider how easy it would be to get a job again when you are able to work again.
Think about
How much money would you have with benefits etc if you gave up work and what help with him
Free help or paid for and how pay for it
Could you manage 24/7 with him without the respite of work - what respite would you have
What adult care or work schemes are there if he leaves education at 16 or when he turns 18
How much would you have with benefits etc if you stayed working and what help with him
Free help or paid for and how pay for it
What adult care or work schemes are there if he leaves education at 16 or when he turns 18
Safeguarding him
Independent living if he wants to get his own life and independence at 18 or thereafter what does that entail for him.
You need to know what is what to make informed decisions and be forewarned about hings.