Advice please

Hello

My daughter is awaiting a diagnosis for autism. She has been seen by many healthcare professionals and they have all said that it very clear she is autistic. This is completely new to us as a family and I am learning as I go. I am seeking advice and support where I can. We have just celebrated her 13th birthday and we did everything she wanted to do. She has seemed really happy all day and this evening she has had a huge meltdown, she is withdrawn and crying. She struggles to communicate (she can talk perfectly but she cannot express herself in words) this has always been the case. I am unsure why she has reacted like this, like I said this is all new to us. I am looking for advice and to ask if this is a common thing. Maybe it’s all been too overwhelming for her I don’t know. She refused to do her birthday cake and wants to leave it until tomorrow, which we totally respect and we wouldn’t push it. It’s quite upsetting as a parent I don’t know what we have done wrong. 

Thank you

Parents
  • I'd say that your daughter had a really fun birthday, but by the evening she sounds totally exhausted. Her energy levels probably got very drained during the day, but she likely kept pushing herself to keep doing a lot of fun and exciting things with everyone until she got very, very tired and had a sudden meltdown, so she likely just needs some space to rest to recouperate. 

    I think that meltdowns are quite common, because socializing is draining, and we're absorbing and processing so much information that it can overwhelm us. If she even put off eating her birthday cake till tomorrow (and I'd think that normally no one can resist a cake, let alone their own birthday cake!) I think she must have been just really, really tired and needed the space to rest and relax. 

Reply
  • I'd say that your daughter had a really fun birthday, but by the evening she sounds totally exhausted. Her energy levels probably got very drained during the day, but she likely kept pushing herself to keep doing a lot of fun and exciting things with everyone until she got very, very tired and had a sudden meltdown, so she likely just needs some space to rest to recouperate. 

    I think that meltdowns are quite common, because socializing is draining, and we're absorbing and processing so much information that it can overwhelm us. If she even put off eating her birthday cake till tomorrow (and I'd think that normally no one can resist a cake, let alone their own birthday cake!) I think she must have been just really, really tired and needed the space to rest and relax. 

Children
  • I completely agree and I am so proud of her she did amazing yesterday. Looking forward to cake today and if she doesn’t want candles or for us to sing then that’s ok. I just want to support her the best I can. Thank you it really helps to talk to other parents and carers. I have been bagged from a friend to join something like this but felt anxious about it and have put it off for months. It is one of the best things I have done all through this process. So thank you x