Could this be Aspergers/ASD

[ChasingWaterfalls]

My DD is 7, it's always been at the back of mind that she is different from her peers and her two older sisters. She has had a lot of quirks right from being tiny and likes everything just so.

She has always been fussy with a lot of things and never really grown out of them which I though she would but over the last few months she has developed a very angry side to her too and will sometimes growl if things aren't going her way, she says she does this instead of shouting.

She has always been fussy with clothes especially socks and tights and is not happy if the seam line isn't quite perfect. Sometimes we have to cut labels out of other clothes which isn't as much of a problem. Buying shoes is a pain as obviously the new pair doesn't feel like her old pair and she doesn't like it. She is getting a bit better with this issue though.

She has a very limited diet and will only eat very bland food. I would like her to try other foods so I do give her the same as what we are eating in hope that she may try it. Although she has a very limited diet she is tall for her age and the ideal weight for her height.

If she gets her clothes wet she has to change them straightaway. It took us a long time for us to get her used to going swimming as she didn't like getting her swimsuit wet.

If she gets food or drink on the table she freaks out.

She is very sensitive to tone of voice and anything other than just normal speaking voice is telling her off or having a silly voice.

She is quite sensitive to sound too and will cover her ears if it is noisy.

She is obsessed with dogs and knows lots of breeds, when we go out she always counts how many dogs sees. She is happy to go somewhere if she thinks there might be dogs there. We don't have a dog but she is desperate for one.

Ever since starting nursery she has played teachers and mimics everything her teacher says and the tone of voice she says it in. She will even dress up in her "teacher clothes". She usually plays this alone but she is happy to play it with a few family members and likes to boss them about in her teacher voice!

The other day she decided she wanted to sort the lego out in to colours - this came out of nowhere!

The school have never mentioned any concerns about her and she is very well behaved there. Once she is out of school and she is home I think she releases all her pent up anger/emotions.

I am wondering if I should ask the GP about getting her assessed but as she is so well behaved at school I am not sure anyone would believe me. Just don't know what to do for the best.

Thanks for reading.

[BlankTimes]

You've definitely described several sensory processing issues, so that's definitely something to investigate via the GP, ask if they have a Sensory OT and if not could you have a referral for assessment of Sensory issues, observation at school and at home.
www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist.html
Some areas offer this, in some it's been withdrawn so there's only the private option available.


ASD is diagnosed on evidence of the Triad of Impairments, here's an explanation from the NAS website
"The characteristics of autism vary from one person to another, but in order for a diagnosis to be made, a person will usually be assessed as having had persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests since early childhood, to the extent that these "limit and impair everyday functioning"

Has she had and does she continue to have persistent difficulties and is her everyday functioning limited and impaired in the ways described above? If so, list your concerns and take them to the GP and ask for a referral for an autism diagnosis.

If she's academically okay and doesn't misbehave there, school can "not see" any problems and say she's "fine" but they don't see her out of school. You can still ask for referrals despite them "not seeing anything"

[MumUnderTheMoon]

I would definitely get with your go about an assessment or pay private if you can afford it. What you are describing are autistic traits she may behave better in school because it is routines in a way that home and the outside world can not be. She knows where to be and when and exactly what is expected of her which can be comforting. Girls also mask autism much more readily than boys. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 27 and I truly believe I would have done much better in school and be much more comfortable with myself had I known sooner. If she is autistic it's better to get support in place sooner rather than later.

[MumUnderTheMoon]

*The first sentence was meant to say go to your gp. Don't know what is going on with my phone.

[Ellie56]

Yor daughter is certainly showing a lot of the traits my son showed at a similar age. He was diagnosed with autism when he was nearly eight.
Definitely talk to the GP and ask for a referral for assessment.

[Blossom4538]

Similar traits to my DD, just diagnosed, age 7.