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Stimming or OCD - distressed teenager

Jana72

My 13 year old daughter who was diagnosed autistic and with social anxiety when she was 9 years old has recently started struggling and getting really upset. For long time she did some stimming but recently this has increased so much that she has to keep her arms from elbow up and anything that happens to one of her fingers she has to do with all the other ones. She is very tired and very stressed out about this and can not go to school as she does not feel she can hold a pen or does not want to answer questions about it. She says similar things but to a lesser degree she had to do previously with her teeth or feet. 

We tried to contact CAMHS but they said this is nothing urgent. So we got a therapist, but she started by suggesting to try to stop doing it - which my daughter can not obviously just simply do. 

Does anyone has any experience with this? My thinking is that - it is part of her autism - stimming - that has increased due to anxiety (exam period at school and break up of her friends circle) and that she is going through some kind of autistic burnout so we are keeping her home from school. 

However is it possible that this is onset of OCD? I read that CBT or ABA therapy might help or might possibly not...

We live in Southwest London. Any suggestions what or who could help? I don't even know if I am correctly understanding what is going on...

Parents

  • Dear Jana72,

    I can see that you have already had some amazing signposting from Bunny. I agree with Bunny that seeking support from the GP is a really good idea. 

    I thought I would add a couple of additional signposts of where you may be able to find support in your local area:

    • Autism Services Directory -this is a really helpful tool to find support, therapists and social activities that may be available in your local area. All the services have adapted their services to be suitable for autistic people
    • Parent to Parent Emotional Support Helpline -I thought this may be a helpful resource for you as I know it must be very difficult to see your daughter struggling. It is run by trained volunteers who have lived experience of being a parent to an autistic child. 

    I hope this helps and please keep reaching out to the community, we are here for you.

    Take care,

    Olivia Mod

Reply

  • Dear Jana72,

    I can see that you have already had some amazing signposting from Bunny. I agree with Bunny that seeking support from the GP is a really good idea. 

    I thought I would add a couple of additional signposts of where you may be able to find support in your local area:

    • Autism Services Directory -this is a really helpful tool to find support, therapists and social activities that may be available in your local area. All the services have adapted their services to be suitable for autistic people
    • Parent to Parent Emotional Support Helpline -I thought this may be a helpful resource for you as I know it must be very difficult to see your daughter struggling. It is run by trained volunteers who have lived experience of being a parent to an autistic child. 

    I hope this helps and please keep reaching out to the community, we are here for you.

    Take care,

    Olivia Mod

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