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Is my daughter on the spectrum? Don't know where else to go?

Morello

Hello,  I hope that someone can help me! My daughter has just turned 6 years old and I really don't know what to do next.  It started with out of hand behaviour at home,  hitting,  kicking,  biting.  We went on holiday and it was the worst week of my life,  she kept running off and we generally couldn't take her anywhere without a meltdown  (she's been on holiday several times previously). I asked for help at the school and we were assigned a family worker.  Things improved at home but then her school behaviour became worse.  She cannot concentrate in class,  grabs children's work and sometimes scribbles on their work.  She hits children at school (she says they make her cross and she can't help it),  she has been bullied and finds it really hard to make friends and be around other children.  And yet she is advanced in her learning and language at school. She has nightmares every night (sometimes with hysterical laughing??) and loves imaginary play.  I'm just so confused,  I see elements of asd in her but the school seem to think that because she can look you in the eye and is very bright its not a possibility? I know there is something wrong but don't know where to go with it? Any questions or answers greatly appreciated! 

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Hi Morello,

    I agree with what Darpaulin says, the GP should be the first place to go.

    Your post contains some things that suggest autism and some things that might not. It depends what you mean about imaginary play, someone who is entirely self contained and entertains themself with solitary play would fit but other sorts of imaginary play might not. Similarly, It depends what your daughter sees when she looks you in the eye, if she can looks you in the eye to work out what you are thinking then that would not indicate autism but if she stares into your eyes but does not feel what you are thinking then that might indicate autism.

    The school are simply wrong to say that being bright rules out autism. Under the old diagnostic rules a bright autistic child would be labeled with Aspergers but a less bright child would simply be labeled as autistic and that may be what they are thinking.

    Autism presents with a massive variety of behaviours and this confuses people. The underlying problem lies with an inability to detect and respond appropriately to other people and their emotional states.

  • Hello Morello

    Both my sons were diagnosed with autism at our local Child Development Centre following referrals from our GP, although both were identified much earlier by their respective Health Visitors.  Perhaps this might be a route you could explore.  GPs in my experience are very helpful.

    Darpaulin