Hi
My daughter has always had issues with low mood and social anxiety, made worse by an emotionally abusive father. It is only recently following her having no contact with him and taking counselling and early help that it has been suggested she has autism. She tested high for high functioning autism with us starting on the journey for a proper diagnosis, apparently mild autism can be masked until this age- I had no idea! I felt her frustration and low self esteem were a result of her relationship with her dad but now can see that although that obviously did not help it wasn't the main cause of her troubles. I also thought she had the typically viewed traits of an only child and I had over indulged her to make up for her father's lack of real love.
Since starting year 7 her social anxiety and depression has rocketed and she has had terrible meltdowns and outbursts. Although I am relieved we may have found the cause I am desperately sad that she will probably always struggle with friendships and be lonely. She says she has no on to message and she is on her own at lunchtimes and feels that the other kids think she is weird. She is so lovely and funny but can be intense and bossy and as she gets older I can see her behaviour can be quite immature.
My heart aches for her as I really thought she would blossom when she was able to speak out about her dad and have breathing space from him. I see now she will always have this challenge of thinking differently, controlling her anger, not making friends or keeping them. I feel for her and wish I could help, it hurts to see her feel so excluded and she should be just starting to branch out on her own with friends and go shopping/cinema etc - instead she is in her room on her phone watching all her school peers chatting and posting about what they get up to at weekends :( Her one friend is moving to Scotland soon which is miles away from us in England :(
How do other parents of tweens/ teens help or deal with the heartache of this?