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What were you like as a child?

Pigtail

I'm curious to know what you were like as a child and whether a lot of us were similar in the way we acted. I know a lot of py were diagnosed a lot later, my diagnosis was early on but I'm still curious to know what you were like.

As a child I used to hate hugs and being touched. I used to scream and scream if my parents hugged me and I hated having to hold their hands when out walking.

I bit everything and everyone. I used to bite my parents, other people, myself, chair and table legs and my toys. I was eventually given soft chew toys to bite to protect my teeth.

I was sensitive to the sun and bright lights. If I went out and it was sunny I used to close my eyes and cover them with my hands. I also didn't like the flashing lights on Christmas trees and would do the same thing if I saw them.

I used to organise and stack my toys as neatly as I could. My mum said my room was the most organised and tidy room in the house.

I didn't make eye contact and I avoided other children if I could.

And that's what I was like as a child apparently. I was diagnosed at 4 yrs of age.

Parents

  • According to my mother, I was a very well-behaved child. I disliked crowds, and being asked questions by adults I did not know well. I had a few friends who were children, but in general I distrusted other children and preferred the company of adults (they were more predictable). I reacted to starting school at four and a half years of age, by becoming selectively mute for three months. I didn't speak at all at school, but continued to be talkative at home.

    I have never rocked or flapped my hands, but did I spin, or run round in tight circles, a lot as a child. I liked being in confined spaces, and would spend time in my wardrobe, cupboards or the linen basket. I preferred being swung or jiggled to being hugged.

    I was diagnosed at 59 years of age.

  • in reply to Martin

    I preferred the company other adults usually only female adults I didn't feel safe around others my own age.

  • in reply to Pigtail

    I did this! Adults were also more interesting.

    I had 2 imaginary friends. The way my mother tells stories of my 'acts of rebellion' around ONE to TWO make it sound like I was not only confused and clearly didn't trust her, but she shouldn't have been in charge of a toddler. But I survived! I was quiet in social situations, thought about matters of infinity, had incredibly vivid nightmares (which I still remember) and was so bored by 4, I started school early (my father taught me reading, maths and chess).

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  • in reply to Pigtail

    I did this! Adults were also more interesting.

    I had 2 imaginary friends. The way my mother tells stories of my 'acts of rebellion' around ONE to TWO make it sound like I was not only confused and clearly didn't trust her, but she shouldn't have been in charge of a toddler. But I survived! I was quiet in social situations, thought about matters of infinity, had incredibly vivid nightmares (which I still remember) and was so bored by 4, I started school early (my father taught me reading, maths and chess).

Children
  • in reply to JuniperFromGallifrey

    I found adults interesting as well. Same with the nightmares, some were so vivid continued to scare me throughout the day. I had an imaginary friend as well, she was my best friend and I felt like I didn't need to mask with her. She was always there for me and I could be my normal quirky self. With others I was shy and quiet. I didn't eat anything new and different. And I did not like being touched by anyone except my mum.