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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should this child be assessed?

55 replies

Boutrosboutros · 30/04/2024 12:49

I'll post soon with my relationship to this child, but I would like to know if you think this child would warrant an asd assessment.

It's a girl, late primary age. No problems with speech - in fact she was early to speak and now has a very advanced vocabulary for her age. She struggles with friendships with children her own age, she can be bossy and precocious and doesn't suffer fools gladly. She tends to play with younger children at school. She struggles on playdates to not control the play and will often suggest 'reading together' as an activity to children who come to her house.

She's a high achiever academically but spends a lot of her time off in a dream world. She's obsessed with horses and ponies and will bring conversations back round to them where possible, although she can also have very high level, adult type conversations about life too. She's very easily upset and worries a lot about cruelty to animals and the environment.

She makes great eye contact and doesn't seem too bothered about routine or changes to it. Doesn't tend to have meltdowns and enjoys following rules and instructions.

YABU - this child may well be ND and it would be worth exploring further
YANBU - this is a normal but quirky child, wait and see what happens

Thanks for giving your opinion!

OP posts:
nimski · 30/04/2024 12:57

Sounds like you are describing my ASD/ADHD 11 year old DD

mynameiscalypso · 30/04/2024 12:56

Sounds like me too! I'm not ND

MsLuxLisbon · 30/04/2024 12:55

Sounds exactly like me as a child, I am not ND.

BoohooWoohoo · 30/04/2024 12:53

The parents of this child should read about autism in girls and see if this matches their dd.
There was a girl in dc’s class who was similar and she ended up with an ASD diagnosis. Year 6 was when her parents felt that the differences and difficulties with her peers couldn’t be overlooked any longer and started the diagnosis process.

PonyPatter44 · 30/04/2024 12:52

Sounds a bit like me 40-odd years ago. Possibly ND but seemed to cope OK.

What would be the reason for seeking assessment? Where is she struggling?