Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello, I'm new to the forum...I've just got nowhere else to turn. My 9-year-old daughter was diagnosed on Tuesday by CAMHS. To say that I am devastated is an understatement. I feel embarrassed. I have tried over the years to encourage her to go to parties and be social, to take pride in her appearance and play nicely, but she crumbles in social situations, which has been very difficult for us as a family. I do not want her to be an autistic person. I just want my daughter to be like other children...the thought that she is different makes me shudder.
I'm sorry; I was planning to say far more but I just can't.
When you plan a baby this isn't what you expect, is it?
I want her to look pretty, wear fashionable clothes, fit in. She is a pretty girl and I want her to make the best of herself. When I was pregnant (she's my firstborn) I was desperate to have a girl. I wanted her to go to ballet - we took her out of ballet but I'm going to be putting her back in as I'm hoping it will help her social skills - and be bright (which she is) and I wanted her to be a popular child. I never was and I don't want her to go through what I did.
Those of you who say that other children aren't perfect all the time...my other children are far better behaved than she is.
The diagnosis is such an ugly thing. I can't accept it as a good thing at all.
I haven't got the words to reply to all of you. I realise there's no point in replying to some of you because I know I'll be attacked whatever I say.