My daughter is almost 14 and we are wondering if she has Autism. She is certainly a Highly Sensitive Person, introverted and very self-conscious. She has nose dived in the last 6 months and we are wondering if it is more than Covid, lock Downs etc. She is not wanting to return to school and speaks of wanting to be 'invisible' and of having no 'social Skills'. Her thinking is very black and white and mostly she thinks of herself as 'Rubbish' at everything. Before drawing in on herself after the last lock down she has always enjoyed school, reading a lot and is a deep and philosophical thinker. Her main feature though is her deep empathetic feeling. In the past she has had many sleep overs and a number of friends. Now she is wanting to be on her own and says she gets tied by too much time with a friend. I wonder it has been a perfect storm...Covid, the challenges of being a Teenager and perhaps those underlying traits that have come more to the surface now with the challenge of growing up and individuation? She has always been very sensitive to food (a very controlled diet), textures (cutting labels out of clothing for example). She can be a little obsessive but I have always thought of this as a quirk. For example she will come up with a list and then want us to order it, 'what's your favourite, second favourite, least favourite...etc. Also for many years she has been very keen on Film Certification! I am wondering how we go about investigating this? She is at a school where next year is about producing and presenting a project about a subject that she can choose. She is mortified by this. In a way it is challenging her to grow and express herself but the thought of it has overwhelmed her. She just does not want to be seen. I believe Autism presents differently in girls and any observations would be welcome.
