8 year old constantly following me

[Wonkywinky]

So I just don't know what to do .
Background my just turned 8 year old has always been tricky ..
She has two older sisters .eldest 20 who likely is ASD but not diagnosed
We suspect 8 year old also struggles with things like textures.. clothes..smells etc but we have u think a good grasp on that.
The other maybe relevant point is she was in hospital for 5 months when she was 14 to 19 months old. I was with her most of the time 24-7 over that five months .
The issue is she is needs to follow me all around the house...cries if she's told not to... She needs to know where I am..when I will be home.
Repeatedly asking those questions.
Begging me to not go to work..not go out.
It's so draining.
We've tried explaining why she can't follow me..why I need to go to work..out etc
Tried distraction..all sorts of things to try and distract or explain .
If I'm out she follows my husband around
Now she's turned 8 I am so worried for her behaviour.
Is this ASD?
Is it to do with me being with her in hospital so long?
Anyone have experience of this at this age and how to help her...and me! ?

What does she say when you ask why she's so sad to be apart?

In the immediate, just accept it. Answer the questions, allow her with you in the house.
Explain with kindness when she can't be with you. Give her plenty of opportunities to be around you while you get on with what you need to do.

Yes consider an underlying cause, but in the meantime just try to minimise the upset.

Thank you
That is V good advice .

She says things like " I need you" " I don't know why"

It's difficult at a young age like 8. It could be something or she could grow out of it.

I'd try not to draw it to her attention for a little while, to give you space to think it through.

If it is a phase she will come out of it, and if it is something underlying then you can't manage her out of it anyway.

I'd tell her things like 'If you need me I'm just upstairs' etc. If she wants to follow, it's up to her.

i was like this as a child. I now love my own company.

Sounds exactly like my daughter with autism, similar age.