My daughter assumes she is being criticised when someone else is praised

What you are describing sounds like RSD. I had some of these issues when I was younger, I still do to some extent. I wasn’t able to accept praise very well either, or enjoy those times as much as others (because pleasurable experiences can also be overwhelming and cross into feeling unpleasant because of their intensity).  So I also see not personally accepting or recognising praise when it is given as sometimes related to this It’s not that I didn’t recognise the difference it was just that that there was little emotional enjoyment gained from what seemed like small victories. Maybe in my case this is more PDA, that I sometime seek experience and outcomes without full engaging with situation, people and emotions. They (pda/rda) are different sides of the same coin.

To add to my previous points, if you are looking for specific names for this behavior, in my opinion it possibly relates to already mentioned rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD).

I would also specifically look into zero-sum thinking, where praise for one person feels like a loss for another, and especially justice sensitivity. Autistic children often have a very heightened sense of fairness. If she is working twice as hard as her peers to achieve a result, but only the 'easier' success of another is rewarded, her brain flags this as a deep injustice. This may manifest as the anger (and/or disappointment) toward teachers that you mentioned, as she feels the rules of effort and reward are being applied unfairly.

I suspect the issue might be that the teachers aren't seeing the whole picture of her internal effort. An autistic child may not have a fully solidified sense of self-confidence yet and might rely heavily on external cues to understand if they are 'doing it right' or are accepted.

When a child puts every bit of their energy into meeting expectations, seeing someone else achieve the same (or more) with apparent ease can be hard enough. But when that other person is praised and the autistic child’s immense effort goes unacknowledged, it doesn't just feel like being ignored, it can feel like a direct signal that their own effort wasn't good enough. In a binary way of thinking, if person A is the one who is good, person B (myself) must be the one who is bad. 

Teachers praise people not just on how good they are, but on whether they are improving, making an effort, etc.

If you are quite good at something, you may not get much praise, as it is expected abd they want to encourage and not demoralise the others. They think you are sufficiently self motivated not to need praise. They also ration praise so in theory no one gets too much, but it is inexact and if your unconsciously keeping score you (because you are pattern matching) can feel hard done by.

You may then try harder to get praise. So comments to others just reinforce the idea you have to do more.

his makes you feel it is unfair as your bar is higher. Then you might just disengage. It makes you feel different.

Thus is what I had, all the time. Including at home, where the bar was always higher for me and praise always muted.

There is always the possibility that the more extrovert children attract more attention and get more praise just because they are noticed. Being quiet and competent tends to make you invisible. Which is good if you want to hide, but less focus for getting praise.

If you are then praised it can feel very awkward, instead of rewarding. 

I am not sure what the answer is. To say you are doing it for yourself and you don't need praise, doesn't really work when small. I suppose it is just to point out that the teacher has to encourage everyone and that as long as you are enjoying the dancing it doesn't matter that much. People may notice but not say anything, so don't assume the worst 

Hi Hayes30 I have done a little research and learn that this behaviour is often referred to in psychology as Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) or sometimes linked to maladaptive perfectionism.

I believe what the resource of the excellent Iain does not explicitly explore Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), but instead analyzes the social dynamics and upward social comparison triggered by witnessing others' success.  I think that the biggest difference is the strong emotional component - however I suggest research and compare for oneself is important.

Where I you,  now that I have a name I might be able to search for support strategies - one assumes that since you ask on this website these would be best tailored to autism and naturally your daughter and your family and I suspect their class teachers and friends personally.  

If this doesn't resolve things then specialist help from someone who understands and can work to help with neurodiversity and emotional regulation would be the next step i would take myself.

I believe that these activities remain highly beneficial but require a different approach to coaching and environment for autistic people.  When the environment is right, the three activities are actually excellent for autistic people .  (hehe speaking as one who know by experience - my school report from that age especially commended my "country dancing" skills, public speaking classes helped me speak up and later in life arts training really helped me understand human movement and emotions)

Best wishes 

Hayes30 said:

I would love to know if this behaviour has a name?

I don't think it is a specific enough behaviour to have its own name in relation to autism, but there is an article on the subject here that explains how it relates to upward social comparison:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/why-bad-looks-good/202303/the-perils-of-public-praise

Overview

The behavior where praise of others is perceived as criticism of oneself is often linked to feelings of envy and low self-esteem. This reaction can stem from a psychological phenomenon known as upward social comparison.

Key Concepts

    Upward Social Comparison: This occurs when individuals compare themselves to others who they perceive as better or more successful. Such comparisons can lead to feelings of inadequacy and jealousy.

    Self-Criticism: Individuals who are highly self-critical may interpret praise directed at others as a reflection of their own shortcomings. This can create a negative emotional response.

    Narcissistic Traits: People with narcissistic tendencies may also react negatively to others' praise, feeling threatened by the acknowledgment of someone else's achievements.

Implications

This behavior can affect interpersonal relationships and self-esteem. It may lead to resentment towards those who receive praise, as well as a cycle of self-criticism and negative emotions. Understanding this behavior can help individuals address their feelings and improve their self-perception.