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GP's not helping with diagnosis - advice please

Kirst7

Hi,

This is regarding my niece who is 5 years old (will be 6 in August). She has not formally been diagnosed with Aspergers condition as the Doctors will not accept her behaviour.

She is not like a normal 5 year old, she is well behaved/quiet/happy to play on her own.

When my sister went to the doctors about her behaviour they put it down to parenting. Having researched into it, aspergers fits her behaviour perfectly.

She is the perfect little girl, so bright for her age. But she just doesn't seem like a happy 5 year old.

Please can someone advise me on how I can get a referral to speak to someone to help diagnose her when the NHS won't help??

Parents

  • Thanks for providing more information Smile

    I was particularly interested to read that your niece is obsessed with food. I have Asperger's and was really obsessed with food as a child, but I have always been very slim. I am still interested in food but this has morphed into an interest in nutrition and the constituents of food. In the autism jargon these obessions are known as 'special interests' and can be very enjoyable. Of course it becomes a problem if the interest takes over someone's life to such an extent that it causes distress or a risk to health, but it sounds as though your niece gains enjoyment from food. At her age her food can be controlled by others to some extent, and as she matures she might start to naturally exercise more self-restraint, which is what eventually happened with myself.

    The issues with grass might be a sensory, tactile issue.

    Problems with running and not being able to ride a bike might suggest possible motor coordination issues, which are quite common in Asperger's.

    It is quite common for girls with Asperger's to have one close friend, particularly in primary school, but struggle with groups of children. Friendships can also be unstable with problems maintaining friendships, particularly if the child becomes possessive or overly clingy.

    There are symptoms of concern, from what you write, so it is probably wise to keep up the pressure with the GP. 

Reply

  • Thanks for providing more information Smile

    I was particularly interested to read that your niece is obsessed with food. I have Asperger's and was really obsessed with food as a child, but I have always been very slim. I am still interested in food but this has morphed into an interest in nutrition and the constituents of food. In the autism jargon these obessions are known as 'special interests' and can be very enjoyable. Of course it becomes a problem if the interest takes over someone's life to such an extent that it causes distress or a risk to health, but it sounds as though your niece gains enjoyment from food. At her age her food can be controlled by others to some extent, and as she matures she might start to naturally exercise more self-restraint, which is what eventually happened with myself.

    The issues with grass might be a sensory, tactile issue.

    Problems with running and not being able to ride a bike might suggest possible motor coordination issues, which are quite common in Asperger's.

    It is quite common for girls with Asperger's to have one close friend, particularly in primary school, but struggle with groups of children. Friendships can also be unstable with problems maintaining friendships, particularly if the child becomes possessive or overly clingy.

    There are symptoms of concern, from what you write, so it is probably wise to keep up the pressure with the GP. 

Children
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