Any advice appreciated

Hi all. I need some advice about my 11 year old daughter. 

Inmy family, we have always noticed she is quirky but of late, this quirkiness is becoming more apparent and worrying. She suffered from tics a year ago, so much so I thought she may have Tourette's. This waxed and waned for a while and now has virtually gone.

Since she was small, she won't wear buttons, I've recently discovered its because people will see her wearing them, not she doesn't like them. She also seems to have echolalia (repeating phrases from t.v. Or people) 

She comes home from school and sometimes just shouts out random noise as if she's been holding it in. She has no real self awareness, will get in your face, not angrily. Doesn't get jokes or sarcasm. No real bond with family besides me. She can be in her own little world, humming grimacing general noise making. Gets very excited and animated over food. Always wanting to eat and remembers people by the food they ate, eg. Oh, I remember her, she had a jam sandwich. If anyone eating loudly she shouts and leaves the room. There's more but I won't go on.

She does well in school and they have no concerns tho whenever they go out or on a bus,  she always seems to be the one walking on her own, while the others are paired up (not through her choice). also, the older she gets the more her immaturity is showing, can't say she has changed since at least 8 years old

Could she have ASD. Any advice would be great :) 

Parents
  • Hi Justfour

    My 12 yr old son has just recently been diagnosed with ASD.

    You're doing the right thing. Definitely get your daughter assessed and you're right not to take the 'she's doing fine in school...' - often ASD children will appear to be coping at school, but it is obvious from the way that they act out of school that it must be a huge struggle for them especially the social side (my son was exactly the same as your daughter when it came to lining up in pairs on a trip etc.)

    My son got through primary school and did well in his SATs and despite the fact that home life with him was hard work and 'not normal', no teachers ever mentioned any concerns so we just got on with things and battled on. It was only when it came to starting secondary school that things didn't work out - so far we have tried 2 schools and he managed half a term at each, he now hasn't been to school since Feb half term - and it was the head of the first school we tried that mentioned ASD to me which then led us to getting him assessed.

    I wish you all the best. I hope you don't have to wait too long for the referral.

    Sharon

Reply
  • Hi Justfour

    My 12 yr old son has just recently been diagnosed with ASD.

    You're doing the right thing. Definitely get your daughter assessed and you're right not to take the 'she's doing fine in school...' - often ASD children will appear to be coping at school, but it is obvious from the way that they act out of school that it must be a huge struggle for them especially the social side (my son was exactly the same as your daughter when it came to lining up in pairs on a trip etc.)

    My son got through primary school and did well in his SATs and despite the fact that home life with him was hard work and 'not normal', no teachers ever mentioned any concerns so we just got on with things and battled on. It was only when it came to starting secondary school that things didn't work out - so far we have tried 2 schools and he managed half a term at each, he now hasn't been to school since Feb half term - and it was the head of the first school we tried that mentioned ASD to me which then led us to getting him assessed.

    I wish you all the best. I hope you don't have to wait too long for the referral.

    Sharon

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