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Original poster

What are your thoughts on this child?

42 replies

whatareyourthoughtsplease · 16/03/2023 11:16

I would like to know if you think this is just her personality quirks or if there's anything else going on?

Girl, aged five

When she was little, she didn't like loud hand dryers/hairdryers and hoovers, but she is mostly okay with them now

Some sensory issues regarding food, but she's usually willing to try new things

Doesn't like having her hair brushed, but again, will sit with a little persuasion

Some sensory issues with clothes -she won't flat out refuse, but again takes a little persuasion

At school, she's described as being distracted and not very focused lack of concentration. They described her as flitting from one activity to another. This doesn't seem to affect her learning though she still able to retain what she has learnt

Seems to prefer adult company in the playground at school. She does have lots of friends there and is very social and her friends adore her.

Often becomes very attached to a special toy, especially in unfamiliar places, almost like a comfort thing

No problems with eye contact or social skills

Can be very fidgety at times, ants in the pants type, always on the go

Any thoughts welcome, thank you.

OP posts:
slamfightbrightlight · 16/03/2023 11:22

Sounds completely normal.

Woahhohoho · 16/03/2023 11:24

She sounds like my 5yo DD to be honest!

Prefers bigger kids, will still cry if she's startled by a loud noise etc. distracted in school fairly often although is learning well. Never stays still, when waiting for her turn in gymnastics she will bounce around. I was also the same at that age apparently.

Are you concerned about her?

RobinRobinMouse · 16/03/2023 11:25

I mean she sounds like a 5 year old to me, 5 is still so young and they do often find it hard to concentrate on one thing at that age. Are the teachers actually concerned at all?

Interested in this thread?

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5 year olds
ParentsTrapped · 16/03/2023 11:30

Sounds completely normal.

I read somewhere that fear of hand dryers is the no 1 most common fear in the under 5s, overtaking fear of the dark. Sounds like she’s grown out of it anyway which again is common. Most 5 year olds like familiar toys and are easily distracted. Might be more weird if she wasn’t.

Yes there’s been a huge increase in ND diagnoses but we need some perspective here. Little kids are famous for being a bit fussy and a bit unpredictable and not necessarily doing what we want them to do all the time. Chill out.

Timide · 16/03/2023 11:32

Sounds totally normal. I have a 5yo

LakeTiticaca · 16/03/2023 12:12

My 3 year old great niece is terrified of hand driers x

SleepingStandingUp · 16/03/2023 12:15

She sounds.... 5.

Meant kindly, I might assume if you hadn't said she that they were a boy because boys seem to in general as a gross stereotype mature slower.

When is he birthday? She year 1?

Meandfour · 16/03/2023 12:16

Sounds like a normal 5yo girl.

YouJustDoYou · 16/03/2023 12:16

She sounds like a typical 5 year old child.

NavyCurtains · 16/03/2023 12:19

You've not straight up voiced your concerns outright, but the fact you've mentioned "sensory issues" suggests you're possibly wondering about neurodiversity?
Your daughter sounds like a typical 5 year old to me. But if you're concerned, you should speak to your health visitor and the school.

Meandfour · 16/03/2023 12:20

NavyCurtains · 16/03/2023 12:19

You've not straight up voiced your concerns outright, but the fact you've mentioned "sensory issues" suggests you're possibly wondering about neurodiversity?
Your daughter sounds like a typical 5 year old to me. But if you're concerned, you should speak to your health visitor and the school.

Agree. I note she also mentioned eye contact. None of the listed things would be a red flag for ASD at this stage.

ShiverOfSharks · 16/03/2023 12:21

She sounds... like a 5yo child.

Pixiedust1234 · 16/03/2023 12:21

Sounds completely normal.

Doesn't like having her hair brushed, but again, will sit with a little persuasion
Have you tried a different brush or wide toothed comb? At age five can she brush it first to get mist if the tangles out then you brush it properly?

Some sensory issues with clothes -she won't flat out refuse, but again takes a little persuasion
I still can't stand the feel of suede after 50 years. Not that fond of velour either. Is there a particular fabric?

Salverus · 16/03/2023 12:23

She sounds very much like my totally NT dd at that age, even down to the hoover! She's now 24 and doing medical training with a lovely boyfriend and a very sweet caring person.

GotABeatForYouMama · 16/03/2023 12:29

Sounds exactly like my NT 30 year old at that age. She still prefers her hair messy to being brushed and also has the soft toy she got when she was 2 with her. She's been with her DP for nearly 10 years and has her dream job. She also will still not wear anything woolly (gloves, socks, jumpers, scarves etc), next to her skin as she can't bear the feel of it.

MeinKraft · 16/03/2023 12:35

I have a 5 year old and she sounds entirely usual. Don't forget NT people have sensory needs and preferences too. That's why everyone loves a big snuggly oodie. And why you wouldn't pop a slug in your mouth. It's why I don't eat Tofu! I don't like the texture. And I can't bear the TV on when people are talking. But I am NT.

Original poster
whatareyourthoughtsplease · 16/03/2023 12:50

Thank you so much to every single person.

The reason I've posted is it's been mentioned that there could be a tiny bit of autism, which is why I've done some research on it, and it left me more puzzled than ever. Am going back to a speak to her teacher to get more info I think.

OP posts:
Pinkflipflop85 · 16/03/2023 12:54

You can't have 'a tiny bit of autism' . Who on earth said that to you?

She sounds like most 5 year old I've met (which is a lot when you've taught KS1 for a long time!)

Salverus · 16/03/2023 12:57

Just enjoy your dd as she is. Don't spoil these years by pursuing an autism diagnosis.

Original poster
whatareyourthoughtsplease · 16/03/2023 12:58

Her teacher mentioned when we were discussing her lack of focus and concentration and how in the playground she preferred to follow the adults. I said was there anything I needed to be aware of or to investigate further and she said "she had wondered about a tiny bit of autism"
But that it wasn't affecting her learning at this point so there wasn't anything I needed to do just now. But i can't stop thinking about it since

OP posts:
Marchsnowstorms · 16/03/2023 12:59

I'd say she's perfectly normal. In a ND child the reactions often tend to be extreme & cause monumental meltdowns or flat refusal from which there is no return. Just sounds like a child who knows her own mind

SirVixofVixHall · 16/03/2023 13:00

slamfightbrightlight · 16/03/2023 11:22

Sounds completely normal.

I agree.
She sounds like many five year olds.
You can’t have “a tiny bit of autism”.

Original poster
whatareyourthoughtsplease · 16/03/2023 13:01

"A child who knows her own mind" sums her up 100%😂😂🥰🥰

OP posts:
Salverus · 16/03/2023 13:01

whatareyourthoughtsplease · 16/03/2023 12:58

Her teacher mentioned when we were discussing her lack of focus and concentration and how in the playground she preferred to follow the adults. I said was there anything I needed to be aware of or to investigate further and she said "she had wondered about a tiny bit of autism"
But that it wasn't affecting her learning at this point so there wasn't anything I needed to do just now. But i can't stop thinking about it since

She's FIVE.

Original poster
whatareyourthoughtsplease · 16/03/2023 13:03

Thank you to everyone, I think I'll ask for this chat to be taken down, as it will be identifying for me. Really appreciate all your help.

OP posts: