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Original poster

Does this sound like autism??

30 replies

GizmoIsSoFluffy · 01/01/2023 16:20

Do you think the following sounds like autism, something else, or normal behaviour?

Ks1 child hates wearing socks because they feel tight to see put on.

KS2 child, school discos. Dances by herself as doesn't know how to dance with others, or even notice if they are dancing.

KS2 - cries really easily at school and home when upset about something. Teachers told her to toughen up.

KS1, KS2, KS3 - smell of coffee physically makes her feel sick. Has to cover mouth and nose around coffee.

KS3 - carries kinder egg middles full of cinnamon and curry to school as they smell really nice. Open and smells them at school.

KS2, KS3 - never having close friends at school. Always the last to be picked in sport.

KS3 - PSCE lessons - choosing to go and work on GCSE project alone in a classroom instead of staying in with the rest of the class as she feels really comfortable around them.

Picky with food, but does eat. Hates eggs, milk, cream,.tea, coffee, fish, fat on meat, butter beans, mayo, most cheeses etc.

Could this be autism??

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 01/01/2023 16:23

Don't know but I'm struggling with your abbreviations.

Original poster
GizmoIsSoFluffy · 01/01/2023 16:41

KS1 - key stage 1 (until age 7)
KS2 - key stage 2 ( age 7-11)
KS3 - key stage 3 (age 11-13)

OP posts:
midnightfirework · 01/01/2023 16:43

All 3 of them hate coffee?

Anyway you're best off going to the GP to discuss your concerns.

PritiPatelsMaker · 01/01/2023 16:45

So it's 3 different DC or is it just one?

NerrSnerr · 01/01/2023 16:48

I'm assuming it's just one child and the OP is describing their behaviour at different ages? (But I might be wrong).

Have you spoken to the school/ schools, if so what did they say?

Original poster
GizmoIsSoFluffy · 01/01/2023 17:59

Sorry, I'm making a right mess of this.
Just one person through different ages.

OP posts:
SleepyCatOnTheLap · 01/01/2023 18:05

I don't think so.

Thingiemajig · 01/01/2023 18:08

The friendship thing could be. Girls with autism tend to mask and imitate the behaviour of others so can go under the radar.

PritiPatelsMaker · 01/01/2023 18:13

You're not making a mess of it, it was probably just me not realising it's one child Wink

The food thing could be an allergy? Especially as a lot of the things she doesn't like are Dairy?

What does your DD think? Have you broached the subject with her?

caravanbuckie · 01/01/2023 18:17

You get a prize for the most confusing OP ever written.

If you have concerns, speak to school?

midnightfirework · 01/01/2023 18:20

Ah right sorry!

I'd just talk to the school or your GP. No one can really diagnose your child from one post.

Shutupyoutart · 01/01/2023 18:35

It defo sounds as though she has some sensory processing difficulties eg, with the socks and the strong reactions to smells, it's difficult to tell from your post though, the fact that she prefers to be alone could indicate asd but could equally just be shy /introverted etc. It's harder to tell sometimes with girls because they can present very differently and are often very good at masking. I would keep a diary with your concerns and maybe go and have a chat with your gp, on another note I can't believe the teacher told her to toughen up wtf.

horrificbiology · 01/01/2023 18:35

It sounds like sensory processing. Girls are often missed for Autism until teenage years. Worth speaking to school about your concerns.

PritiPatelsMaker · 01/01/2023 18:39

You get a prize for the most confusing OP ever written

Oh I don't know, I've read a few lately where the OP can't spell or use grammar and paragraphs are an alien concept.

swanling · 01/01/2023 18:40

Are you asking about yourself?

People are allowed to have variable personalities without it all leading to ASD.

wherearebeefandonioncrisps · 01/01/2023 19:03

I agree.
Some sensory issues there but so many of us do.
I can't bear the smell of coffee and I cannot abide seeing an egg's yolk being sliced open.
I hate socks , preferring trainer socks.
The sight and sound of polystyrene makes me feel very uneasy. Biting into beans/pulses is not appealing at all.

I was a bit of a loner and was always one of the last to get picked for things.

You really don't need a label.

AceofPentacles · 01/01/2023 19:04

You'd need a lot more 'KS1' evidence to be accepted for an assessment I reckon (having been through it)

sixteenthirtyfour · 01/01/2023 19:12

I'm autistic and have an autistic dc. All of those things could be characteristics of autism (and most sound quite familiar to me), but could also be an introverted neurotypical child with some sensory issues. I agree with suggestions to speak to GP and school, but with the caveat that some GPs and teachers have little knowledge of autism, particularly in girls. Hopefully yours will be helpful and knowledgeable, but it's also worth reading up a bit on the subject. A book I found really helpful is Women and Girls with Austism Spectrum Disorders by Sarah Hendricks.

IndieK1d · 01/01/2023 19:17

wherearebeefandonioncrisps · 01/01/2023 19:03

I agree.
Some sensory issues there but so many of us do.
I can't bear the smell of coffee and I cannot abide seeing an egg's yolk being sliced open.
I hate socks , preferring trainer socks.
The sight and sound of polystyrene makes me feel very uneasy. Biting into beans/pulses is not appealing at all.

I was a bit of a loner and was always one of the last to get picked for things.

You really don't need a label.

It's not a "label". It's a recognised disability.

sixteenthirtyfour · 05/01/2023 11:24

@wherearebeefandonioncrisps "You don't need a label"

A label is something that gives information to other people, whereas the most important thing about an autism diagnosis is that it enables people to understand themselves, the way they process information, experience sensory things, relate to others, etc.

It may be that the OP's daughter isn't autistic, in which case confirming this might help her find other ways of dealing with the things she finds difficult.

Self-knowledge is always useful, sometimes essential, but surely not something to discourage?

Original poster
GizmoIsSoFluffy · 06/01/2023 06:23

Thank you everyone. Yes, I'm talking about myself. I'm many, many years out of school, and still have issues with things.

I know I don't need a 'label', but I have one disability already, and knowing I'm not imagining that one helps out something's in perspective for me.

The teachers comment was real, but this was back in the 80's.

OP posts:
Itisbetter · 06/01/2023 06:36

Doesnt sound anything like asd to me (I have an autistic child).

Blackeyesbluetears · 06/01/2023 06:45

@Itisbetter I don't mean this badly but I don't "seem autistic" but am diagnosed.

Op, If you feel a diagnosis would benefit you, sarah hendrickx had a company that runs assessments - her daughter diagnosed me. She was fab

icanwearwhatiwant · 06/01/2023 06:46

caravanbuckie · 01/01/2023 18:17

You get a prize for the most confusing OP ever written.

If you have concerns, speak to school?

It's really not that confusing, people like to nitpick to be unkind on here.
Op if you're worried make a list of all concerning behaviours and make an appointment with the SENCO at school. There are some minor traits, it isn't glaringly obvious but if you're worried you should get the ball rolling and check it out.

OppositeNumber · 06/01/2023 06:50

I was briefly confused by the OP until it clicked what KS1,2,3 stands for. I was distracted by how familiar it all sounds (apart from the kinder eggs but I used to collect and sniff scented erasers!)

I do keep wondering about getting a late in life diagnosis but wonder what good it would do.