Comment about swaying at parents evening

This is so NOT true. A great deal of the time, teachers suspect autism but don't come out and actually say it. I would keep autism in the back of my mind OP as it could be stimming, but could also be many many other things .

They probably are suggesting something. Tbh sometimes it’s better that a teacher is straight with parents but a lot of parents can’t cope with even a suggestion of something needs to be looked at. At DD’s nursery the owner had to send an email out telling parents to take things in the spirit and be very firm about parents behaviour. I think DD’s teacher flagged something about one of the children and a parent went apeshit. It’s not personal OP.

I don’t think you’re wide of the mark with what they’re potentially highlighting. Swaying is a stimming behaviour connected with ASD, but it does not mean your child is definitely autistic, anymore than it would mean that every autistic child would sway. Some kids soothe with the rhythmic movement if they’re anxious or stressed, if they’re tired, if they’re fidgety.

Just keep an eye.

I’m autistic (diagnosed as an adult) and I sway a lot. I didn’t actually notice until after I was diagnosed but I now realise I sway side to side when I’m - for example - queuing in a shop. Probably because I’m overwhelmed by the environment; I often fidget with the zip on my bag while I’m swaying.

I’m just one example though. Maybe there is something to it, or maybe your DD just likes swaying.

I disagree with others. Sometimes teachers mention things to feed the idea as they can't just come out and say they think it might be something like autism - a friend of mine is a teacher and she said this. My daughter is autistic and it was not picked up until later in primary school as it's much more subtle with girls. I would suggest reading up on girls and autism and then at least you are informed.

My friend in secondary school used to rock. She wasn’t autistic, it just helped her when she was concentrating.

My first thought about a child swaying would be that they’re holding in a wee or that they’re feeling nervous/nauseous and trying to shake it out.

Why do you think the teacher was implying autism? Have there been other behaviours or comments made by someone else in your life?

Swaying to me (but I might be bias due to my own disabilities) would make me think co-ordination and balance not necessarily autism.

My DD started doing this. She was copying an autistic boy she played with a lot. We now know that she does have other developmental issues. I wish I’d paid more attention to the swaying—her need to ape his tic may have been a clue to her other issues which we only recognised very much later. I would be inclined to listen to the teacher, observe your child around other kids, and discuss with the school as time goes on if it’s a longer term issue.

It may be a self comforting mechanism because she's a bit overwhelmed because she's started preschool and everything is new. It may well just stop once she feels more comfy.

If she was autistic, this could be stimming behaviour to calm anxiety and so you would be less likely to see it happen at home. As an adult I find I do it in stressful situations.

I doubt you’d get a referral for assessment from the NHS based on that one behaviour alone, but you could keep an eye out and talk to her teacher when she starts at school. Assessment through the NHS takes years in most areas. You could pay for a private assessment.

To be honest you are jumping to weird conclusions. If they didn't mention autism then they don't think she is autistic. If a child has an unusual behaviour, they have a duty of care to let the parent know. They aren't trying to suggest anything, they just want to watch in case it is a sign of anything. If they hadn't mentioned it and later something happened, that would be neglect.

You're massively overthinking this. She's doing something that is noticeable, the teacher asked if she's also doing it at home. The swaying could be a tic, a comfort thing, struggling to sit still, a UTI or other issues in that area , uncomfortable uniform etc.

Now you know , you can keep an eye out for it and see if it does happen at home, if there's a pattern , check her out etc.

Maybe it's just a nervous thing so she doesn't do it at home.

I think you're reading a lot into one comment. * *

does your DD sway from side to side, that you've noticed?