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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want to look after my daughter any more

414 replies

Goaheadflameme · 27/07/2025 17:58

My daughter is 8. She is recently diagnosed with autism. No problems at school but a nightmare at home.

Predictably, being out of the school routine has made her challenging behaviour more challenging. She regularly tells me she hates me, wishes I was dead, that things would be better without me. Everytime
I say something she mocks me. She won’t do anything she is told and consequences are meaningless as she just doesn’t care. Today she has also thrown food round the living room and when I tried to stop this she has violently attacked me multiple times. Previously she has broken my finger and scratched me to the extent that I was hospitalised due to a serious infection in my arm.

I just honestly can’t do it any more. This has been going on for more than two years now. It’s completely ruining me, my relationship with my husband and our family life (we have other children). The violence triggers me so badly due to childhood abuse and I don’t feel safe in my own home.

Do social services take children away in these circumstances?

OP posts:
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6
sunshine244 · 27/07/2025 22:16

NDstress · 27/07/2025 19:07

My son is 6, diagnosed with ASD and ADHD.
He has trouble with emotional regulation, and is very impulsiveness, he will lash out during a meltdown, or if overwhelmed, he will hit, kick, bite, throw and also mock.

What I have learnt over the last couple of years is that works for me is, utilise positive reinforcement and recognise good behaviour, and where possible ignore negative behaviour.

My DS loves a reaction, positive or negative, so if he does something bad and gets a big reaction to it, he’s still won in his eyes, as he’s got the attention.
When I do tell DS that something isn’t kind, or not a good choice, I keep my tone neutral, if he senses any confrontation in my tone, this will trigger him to react.

My husband, is a lot more reactive than me, and I can see a huge difference in my sons behaviour with me, than his dad. His dad is working more to ignore certain behaviour, but he is used to children listening to their parents, and with ND kids, parenting is often very different.

Happy for you to drop me a message!

Escalating behaviour can be part of a way to seek dopamine. It's particularly common with kids with ADHD. They get a buzz from the escalating arguments and so can seek this out without understanding what they are doing.

My autistic child was similar to what op described. I got private help,.ADHD was diagnosed and meds have stopped almost all of the escalating anger type issues.

TaupeMember · 27/07/2025 22:15

ForrinMummy · 27/07/2025 18:05

This is horrendous. Even worse, in extremis they would take your other children away (or to live separately with their Dad) and leave you, alone and unsupported with her.

Nonsense. What an awful thing to say to someone at their lowest

MumWifeOther · 27/07/2025 22:11

BlueMum16 · 27/07/2025 18:02

I'm sorry this is happening.

Where is your DH in all of this? How is she with him?

I echo this.

Sounds awful for you, you really need more support from your husband.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 27/07/2025 22:10

I have some experience with this behaviour.

These children are really a very good at reading emotions, especially negative emotions.

Try love bombing her, not reacting in the way she expects. Mirror the behaviour you want, kindness and calmness, it isn't easy for her either, you are the adult and can access better skills to deal with her, keep smiling, go bite a cushion for the release, eventually she'll respond better.

Good luck.

Richtea67 · 27/07/2025 22:08

ExtraOnions · 27/07/2025 18:43

Been there.

To start with the good news, I now have a lovely 19 year old DD, who is kind, sensitive, funny, and great company. We do lots together.

On the other side, she was late diagnosed with ASD, so I had no idea what I was dealing with. What I had was a violent, angry, aggressive child (from about the age of 7). She smashed her room up, and was violent towards me on multiple occasions.

She was great at school, until she stopped going (but that’s another story).

So, what happened?

  1. Changed the way I parented. Parenting and ASD child, is different to parenting an ND child. The usual rules around “consequences” and the magic “take their screens away” don’t work. When you child becomes overwhelmed, they have a panic attack (or the unhelpful word “meltdown”), there emotions are dysregulated, and they lash out.
  2. When they are in this dysregulated state, there is no point in trying to talk to them, reason with them or anything else … makes it all worse, best thing you can do is to leave them alone. The time for discussion comes later.
  3. Figure out the triggers .. they will be there, is it tiredness, hunger, finding it hard to follow instruction.. could be anything, but knowing gives you an advantage.
  4. Give them things, in life, that they can control themselves - only need start small.
  5. You child does not like feeling that out of control, it’s as distressing for them, as it is for you.
  6. Tell them you Love them.. every single day. The one thing that helped change things with us, was when I said “I’m on your side”
  7. help them understand ASD, and why is makes some things difficult.
  8. We found Sertraline to be a lifesaver.

What I’m trying to say is that there is a sucessful way through this, as awful as it seems at the moment

Important to mention my daughter is “high functioning” -though L2 in the new Assesment

Also, please try not to listen to people who have no experience… they mean well, but mostly spout ableist garbage

Edited

Absolutely all of this OP. We got a lot of support from the early help team in social services and also our local autism charity. After trying every single thing our last resort was to physically restrain her....for our own and her safely. She was a bit younger, maybe 7 when we did this. I'll probably get flamed for this but something just snapped within me that I would not allow myself to be attacked anymore. We discussed what we would do in advance with DD and lots of warnings etc and talking/reassurance throughout. Also lots of cuddles and a debrief afterwards. She's 10 now and behaviour has really settled. Maybe get some advice from social services about this.

DemBonesDemBones · 27/07/2025 22:05

Social services are useless. I have begged them to remove my very violent child many times. He will have to kill me or one of my other children before they will. I’m so sorry you’re in the same situation. I get how much you can love your child but just want someone, anyone to come and save you from the daily assaults. I’m sorry.

Hibernatingtilspring · 27/07/2025 21:52

@Emonade I don't need to look up the section, I've been a practising social worker for twenty years. That s20 exists in law does not mean that social services take children into care on request. It also doesn't require you to be 'under social services' for it to happen.

@RubySquid do you mean apart from the lasting psychological damage it would do to the child? The police would be called, and attempts made to meditate for the parent to care for the child. If no success, the parent would be expected to arrange for the child to stay somewhere else, eg with a family member. If still no success, the police could use police powers for children's services to place a child with an emergency foster carer for one night (if available - given current shortages it could mean them going somewhere entirely unsuitable, eg a long distance from home or into a children's home with much older young people) and then the mediation process would start back up the following day. It's quite likely if a patent stood their ground that they would be charged with neglect or abandonment unless there were really strong extenuating circumstances. A parent would have been expected to seek support, not try and blackmail children's services at the expense of their child.

I'm not sure how any of that is supposed to help the OP. There is support out there, I don't think (apart from the GP) that the OP has asked yet? Not judgement for that, the first step of seeking help is tough, but that's what parents need to do!

NotPerfectlyAdverage · 27/07/2025 21:48

Goaheadflameme · 27/07/2025 18:09

DH doesn’t step in when she is attacking me. She has previously attacked him as well, usually she tries to punch him between the legs.

I’m terrified I am going to lose my other children over this.

We don’t get any benefits for her or any support. The referral our GP made was rejected because it was for the wrong service or something.

What was the referal for? Maybe we can help you.

The NAS do a specific parenting course, you should have been given sign up details with the diagnosis.

CarrotyO · 27/07/2025 21:41

I agree with previous posters, you will likely see huge results if you change your parenting style to low-demand parenting. Forget about imposing consequences and 'telling her what to do'. You can turn the relationship with your daughter around dramatically if you try a different approach.

autienotnaughty · 27/07/2025 21:40

You wouldn’t lose your children over having one Sen child with violent behaviours.
I have an autistic child some things that help-

very consistent routines - get up at same time, dress, meals and tv allay the same time every day
regular/familiar activities

not expecting more than he is capable of

devices are routines -1 hour per day it means he full concentrates for the hour and I get a solid break

opportunities for him to regulate- food/ exercise /games things that help him reset

pre empting things he will struggle with and avoiding/managing them or when he’s starting to struggle distracting him before it escalates

Role modelling the behaviour I want (staying calm) not an easy one

in terms of support definitely ring social services they are there for support/referall to services not to judge or remove children (except indire situations)
They will likely allocate a worker who may do some work with you all. They may refer to cahms/therapy. The may refer you and your dh to a relevant parenting course ( no shade on you, there may be techniques you haven’t thought of and it’s a great way to meat others who are struggling and share ideas/support.)

PeachesandCream100 · 27/07/2025 21:30

"No problems at school but a nightmare at home."

Mountainsfar · 27/07/2025 21:30

Hi OP,
I have a 6-year-old daughter with ASD, and I’m really sorry you’re going through this — it’s hard!

I noticed you mentioned that your daughter has good behaviour in school. Just wondering, do you feel all her needs are actually being met there?

With my daughter, her behaviour at school is also really good, but her needs weren’t being met — and I know this because every single day after school, her behaviour would become really challenging. That was our biggest sign that something wasn’t right.

She now requires an EHCP to help support her properly.
Also if you request a needs assessment you can have a better idea of what her needs are, for eg if a ot assessment was carried out if signs of sensory difficulties are there, then the information help you to Suport her at home.

x2boys · 27/07/2025 21:27

People with no experience Talk all kinds of shite on thesse kinds of threads

Yes there residential schools but if a child is managing in a mainstream school with no intervention etc they ate not going ti take them

Ap42 · 27/07/2025 21:26

I could have written this myself some years ago about my now 13 year old autistic son. I used to dread the school holidays and lack of routine. In my case things got easier over time. He is no longer violent thankfully. She may change as she gets older. It sounds like you all need support. You can apply for DLA which will help with respite, sensory aids in the hope of helping to calm her down and give you a break. I also did the cygnet course which really helped me to understand my son.
Sadly I found early help utterly useless. But have been referred to them multiple times so their is a paper trail of my sons needs.
Good luck. Don't be too hard on yourself. Your doing a fab job x

PeachesandCream100 · 27/07/2025 21:26

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EmeraldShamrock000 · 27/07/2025 21:24

They will take her once support is offered first.
They'll also investigate the difference in behaviour from school and home, although it is not uncommon that a DC with autism will be abusive at home vs well behaved in school, they will question it.
What routines do you have set up at home?

RubySquid · 27/07/2025 21:20

Mondaytuesdayhappydays · 27/07/2025 18:56

@MMUmum

The threshold for these residential
settings is much, much higher than scratching and bending back fingers, throwing food around, breaking stuff - certainly at 8.
Learning techniques to manage these behaviours would surely be preferable than lengthy restraint by a stranger (on minimum wage/ in an industry with high dissatisfaction and very high levels of staff turnover) who does not love your child.
Surely?

Edited

What would actually happen if you dumped the kid in social services offices and refused to take her back. ( Not suggesting actually doing it) But the can't force you to have the kid in your home

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 27/07/2025 21:17

Ps if you do give up your child social workers will have to out them in foster care or a children's home as a last resort, but things will get a lot worse for you child

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 27/07/2025 21:16

Call early help
And ask them to sign post you to parenting support

Ap42 · 27/07/2025 21:14

I could have written this myself some years ago about my now 13 year old autistic son. I used to dread the school holidays and lack of routine. In my case things got easier over time. He is no longer violent thankfully. She may change as she gets older. It sounds like you all need support. You can apply for DLA which will help with respite, sensory aids in the hope of helping to calm her down and give you a break. I also did the cygnet course which really helped me to understand my son.
Sadly I found early help utterly useless. But have been referred to them multiple times so their is a paper trail of my sons needs.
Good luck. Don't be too hard on yourself. Your doing a fab job x

OldMcDonaldHadABigMac · 27/07/2025 21:12

Tia247 · 27/07/2025 20:53

Your dad had no idea that hitting him back was going to stop him being violent . It could easily have just escalated things much, much further. Of course you should have been kept safe but there was absolutely nothing to suggest that hitting him was going to do that.

You have absolutely no idea what my dad thought unless you've met him and discussed it with him. And yes, he did use it as a tactic to stop him attacking us all. He was a calm, fair man but he was sick of seeing his wife and kids cowering in fear and being hurt. He decided to try a new tack with him and it worked.

Sellingsunsets · 27/07/2025 21:07

Following with interest and offering some solidarity. My 3yo has autism (still awaiting official diagnosis) but it's plainly obvious to all. We just ordered accepted DLA for him also based on his behaviors and care needs. He's non verbal and very aggressive, bites, kicks, punches. Not just me but anyone who dares to get to close to him. He hurts himself on purpose too, headbutting walls, floors, people, punching himself, pulls his own hair. He doesn't sleep properly. Up at all hours, he's very particular and has meltdowns multiple times a day that take ages for him to calm down. His nursery have been fantastic with him and his behaviour doesn't appear to be as bad there but they confess that they have learned to leave him to it and not get too close to him or in his space but he's getting used to the routine. The nursery are also helping to try and get an EHCP in place so that I can apply for him to go to a specialist school in my area when he turns 4. So look into what your school can do. Or even the healthy family team (not sure if there is an age limit for this) I don't know what our future holds for us and if his behavior will improve or not but I often have days where I think I can't do this anymore especially as I have my own mental health conditions and struggles which really takes its toll. My council has a scheme, I forget what it's called but a family worker comes and sees him at home and does assessments and then puts you forward for help from the local authority that you might need, so far we have had a grant and some funding for 1:1 at nursery as he is majorly behind everyone else. It's tough being a sen parent and nothing prepares you for it. I don't really have much advice as I'm still learning how to cope myself but just know you are not alone ❤️

Emonade · 27/07/2025 21:05

Hibernatingtilspring · 27/07/2025 20:56

@Emonade social services don't take children into care on request. Many reasons why, but an obvious one being that if a child gets sent away for being 'bad', even if the parent wants it temporarily, then the damage to the relationship is usually irrevocable.
Social services approach is to support the parent to support the child. Not break families up.

I mean yes they do, Google the section, but you have to be under social services and it is a last resort. She first needs social service support, probably on a CIN plan and go from there.

DreamerIzzy · 27/07/2025 20:59

Sounds like she could have a pathalogical demand avoidance profile. If this is the case low demand parenting may actually help

Google pda and look up pda support groups

Hibernatingtilspring · 27/07/2025 20:56

@Emonade social services don't take children into care on request. Many reasons why, but an obvious one being that if a child gets sent away for being 'bad', even if the parent wants it temporarily, then the damage to the relationship is usually irrevocable.
Social services approach is to support the parent to support the child. Not break families up.

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