I think my ten year old has ASD, please help

[Buntinghunting]

I can't face the websites where they tell the saddest stories. I just found out that professionals think she has it and I'm in bits. She's intense and eccentric but she's so beautiful and imaginative, I just thought she was herself. I need support but autism sites are too much right now.

Please tell me the best website for me, books to read with her, support groups for her. I don't know what to do with sites talking about extreme behaviours.

It is really tough getting the diagnosis OP. DS was 18 months old when I started asking for help-I have always known he is on the spectrum, but it took until he was 9 years old to be formally diagnosed. I struggled so much in his younger years and was made to feel like a bad mother (was even sent on parenting courses at one stage). No one would believe me. It wasnt until he became mute in school people listened to me. I cried when someone finally acknowledged it. I have steered away from all the books and sites, because like everyone else, DS is completely unique and we have learned about how he experiences the world through him and just adapted. He is 15 now and although he still has (and will probably always have!) his little quirks (I am looking at you seamless socks) he has learned how to manage over time in mainstream school. We have learned that for DS he will take things very literally (although he is getting better at understanding sarcasm/social cues).

My advice would be carry on as normal, dont get too bogged down in the diagnosis-for us, it helped explain a lot but on a day to day basis it hasnt changed anything for us.

The only thing that still gets me a little riled is the "he doesn't look autistic" brigade (sadly, even family have done this!). Autism doesn't "look" like anything 😳 I think thats why I dont frequent specialist sites or books, we just take each day as it comes

Oops. Yes, sorry, wrong Dara.

Thank you for your responses, I appreciate every one. Sorry I have no proper words.

OP I get this.

My dd was diagnosed 3 years ago when she was 11. I also cried at first as I thought she would find life very challenging. And she has in lots of ways but 14 is a horrible age anyway.

What’s been very hard for us is DD’s denial and refusal to accept the diagnosis. She masks and pretends she is neurotypical which is terrible for her mental health. I am hoping in time she will come to terms with it.

I’m autistic. PhD. Four children. Worked as part of am autism assessment team before retiring.
Ds2 MA Lit
Dd1 BA(hons) Lit
Dd2 Bsc Human Bioscience
All autistic and Dd2 also dyslexic.
Just make sure she recognises when people are manipulating her. Put plenty of coping strategies into place.

My Y10 dd is autistic. She's got friends, she's doing well at school, she's very funny and I'm very proud of her.
I've had to be firm and fight to get the things she needs in place. At times it's felt desperate. We're getting there though and it's OK.
There's a FB group I'm on which is good. Message me and I'll let you know.