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Repetitive behaviours and restricted interests in childhood - girls

NAS72736

Hi there,

I have posted a few times on this topic - I'm an adult woman having my assessment next week.

I was wondering if there are any other women out there who have been diagnosed who did not display many of these 'repetitive behaviours and restricted interests' as young girls? I am trying to gather as much evidence as I can before my diagnosis (which I am getting quite anxious about). However I did not have many very intense interests - I had some strong interests but they were not 'obsessive,' neither did I have to follow a strict routine or get upset when things were changed - that I can remember. I did suffer anxiety though when transitioning up to secondary school and when changing classes in primary school.

I have plenty of examples of these repetitive behaviours and restricted interests in myself as an adult woman, including anxieties and phobias - but the childhood evidence is a bit lacking. 

I am just a bit worried that this might impact the assessment. 

I know that girls display less of these repetitive behaviours/ restricted interests and was wondering if anybody else could share which of these they remember from their childhoods in case there are any things that I did/thought that I overlooked.

Thanks all

Slight smile

Parents

  • Hope your assessment went well. I am also looking for more experiences from women/people raised as girls.

    My experiences in case this helps anyone. I need to get it out.

    I thought I didn't stim but my mum says I did flap my hands when I was very young but it "went away". I read unusually early and adults found me to be unnervingly observant from a young age. I developed the impulse to crack most of my joints and did that all the time and was often told off for it but still do it. I think that is suppressed stimming. I also ran around on my tip toes but eventually stopped - I was so shocked when I found out this really specific thing was a possible sign of autism in children. All my behaviours seemed "nipped in the bud" very early as I was a very sensitive child trying to please the adults.

    I thought I played "normally" and didn't "line up toys" but I realise now I enjoyed setting up a scene rather than playing. I'd arrange mine or my brothers toys into an elaborate stage... the imaginative play was then for him to take the lead on. I did join in with imaginative play but usually peripherally, taking on minor roles and feeling like I couldn't get into it as much as the others. Always felt like I was observing my peers from the other side of some glass or something. I also think I was able to navigate the simple social lives of children but once you approach puberty and things start to get a bit more complex... I've honestly been struggling to fit in ever since. 

    I thought I wasn't that repetitive. I just thought everyone suppressed the urge to replay a song or rewatch something or say a phrase over and over. I thought "thats just what kids do" and that being an adult is about suppressing your childlike urges all the time. Haha NOPE! Turns out I'm allowed to do the same thing over and over and enjoy it. 

Reply

  • Hope your assessment went well. I am also looking for more experiences from women/people raised as girls.

    My experiences in case this helps anyone. I need to get it out.

    I thought I didn't stim but my mum says I did flap my hands when I was very young but it "went away". I read unusually early and adults found me to be unnervingly observant from a young age. I developed the impulse to crack most of my joints and did that all the time and was often told off for it but still do it. I think that is suppressed stimming. I also ran around on my tip toes but eventually stopped - I was so shocked when I found out this really specific thing was a possible sign of autism in children. All my behaviours seemed "nipped in the bud" very early as I was a very sensitive child trying to please the adults.

    I thought I played "normally" and didn't "line up toys" but I realise now I enjoyed setting up a scene rather than playing. I'd arrange mine or my brothers toys into an elaborate stage... the imaginative play was then for him to take the lead on. I did join in with imaginative play but usually peripherally, taking on minor roles and feeling like I couldn't get into it as much as the others. Always felt like I was observing my peers from the other side of some glass or something. I also think I was able to navigate the simple social lives of children but once you approach puberty and things start to get a bit more complex... I've honestly been struggling to fit in ever since. 

    I thought I wasn't that repetitive. I just thought everyone suppressed the urge to replay a song or rewatch something or say a phrase over and over. I thought "thats just what kids do" and that being an adult is about suppressing your childlike urges all the time. Haha NOPE! Turns out I'm allowed to do the same thing over and over and enjoy it. 

Children
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