Hello, this is my first post so please be kind! I have 2 girls aged 9 and 13 who are waiting to be assessed for autism. The 9 year old has always had difficulties with sleeping, making friends, social situations, tantrums after school. After what feels like years of asking for help she is finally waiting for an assessment. The 13 year old has come out of the blue; after what seemed a normal progression through to year 5 she started daydreaming, forgetting things and showing less interest in working at school. Then in year 6 she developed trichotillomania, a bombshell. Little by little she has removed almost all of her hair. Now in year 8 she is clearly struggling massively and I know lockdown has affected all children. She has no friends, she has started behaviours I haven't seen in her since she was little, like hand flapping and obsessing about the littlest of things. But school have been such a help and she too is on an autism pathway now. But now I don't know whether to feel relief or despair. Both of my children are struggling with life. They both have different struggles and often clash horribly as they get so frustrated with each other. What one likes the other can't abide. I just wonder how other parents cope with 2 children who have such different needs?
