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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Can't go on like this ASD dd10

12 replies

lollipoprainbow · 30/01/2023 21:25

I'm so bloody depressed and low. Dd10 autistic with a pda profile it seems. and things are awful. She's full of anger lashing out at me if I say no, won't do anything I ask her. Won't go to bed despite being exhausted, refuses to get ready for bed. Wash her hair. Brush her teeth. Won't get up for school as she hates it. Refuses to get dressed etc. she's nervous. Anxious, angry. Single mum with zero support. I honestly feel like giving her up and I feel the worst mum in the world for saying that but sometimes I don't feel I can go on.

OP posts:
Zola1 · 30/01/2023 21:33

This sounds so tough. Does she have an EHCP? What is the communication advice on there and can you implement it at home?
In work I have a little one with PDA...we support her by giving her pre determined choices which help her feel in control and there is no "bad choice" that would start a war. Eg do you want to wear this top or this dress? Shall we play this game or do this jigsaw? Also lots of "let's go and do this now". She is much worse when she feels stressed as she seems to battle to be in control of the situation. I don't know your daughter obviously but for this little girl, reminding her and showing her she is safe and loved has been very important.

SignOnTheWindow · 30/01/2023 21:42

I've just been reading a book called 'Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance in Children' by Chris Healy, Ruth Fidler et al. for professional reasons. I'd recommend it - it's got some very good explanations of the issues and great advice for tricky situations.

The Explosive Child is also a good book. Helped me enormously with DD2.

PDA is so tough. I'm really sorry you're struggling. X

JustKeepBuilding · 30/01/2023 22:03

As well as an EHCP have you asked for social care assessments, a carer’s assessment for you and an assessment from the disabled children’s team for DD?

Yvonne Newbold’s resources are helpful.

Senmum2013 · 30/01/2023 22:10

Hi, I could have written this post myself a couple of hours ago! Similar situation to yourself, DS (9) ASD with PDA profile. Also lone parent and no support. It’s really hard, this weekend was shit, he doesn’t want to do anything, everything is a battle. I try and use choices when I can but I don’t get it right much. It makes me angry there’s just so little support out there for them, it is relentless. Some days I just feel there is no hope whatsoever, I question the point of carrying on. I’m sorry you’re also struggling xx

shakeitoffshakeacocktail · 30/01/2023 22:28

SignOnTheWindow · 30/01/2023 21:42

I've just been reading a book called 'Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance in Children' by Chris Healy, Ruth Fidler et al. for professional reasons. I'd recommend it - it's got some very good explanations of the issues and great advice for tricky situations.

The Explosive Child is also a good book. Helped me enormously with DD2.

PDA is so tough. I'm really sorry you're struggling. X

I've just gone and ordered this 🤞
My DD is 9, she is lovely until we hit the same triggers, anything involving time (time to go, time for bed, it's not time to make crafts at 9.45pm etc) the word 'No' and a need to NOT believe that I am in charge.
She screams 'you're not the boss of me' I say I am. She lashes out, she's manipulative, she destroys things, when she's at a 9 or 10 on the 'loosing it' scale it's like she's having a night terror. Wild eyes, screaming, crying, lashing out, choking on her breath.
She's had some counselling sessions but they weren't the right fit, they were aimed at older children who are violent.

I could see her being like that in a few years though, she's tried climbing out the second floor window, she destroys things and says she wants to stab me or wishes I was dead and screams I hate you

She doesn't mean it her love for me is possessive and manipulative.

I am a single parent and have been since she was 1 year old.

When she's not in that state she's lovely and she's great at school, she sometimes struggles with friendships but not always.
She sees her dad and is 'good' for him, she usually explodes on me when she gets back and for years I took it as I get guilty, I would sit waiting for her to come home having missed her and loving her but also waiting to be a literal punching bag. It's a very toxic relationship unfortunately.

She also LOVES physical attention. I'm not sure if that means anything but any game played on the floor with tickling or piggy back rides or chasing a ball. It's a very intense play and she could do it for hours by middle aged knees not so much

shakeitoffshakeacocktail · 30/01/2023 22:31

No diagnosis for her, I'm in two minds about trying to get one for her, she is fine educationally. I've wondered if it's more our dynamic, just me and her in the house. Or something neurological or both

stargirl1701 · 30/01/2023 22:34

Snap @lollipoprainbow

want to run away www.mumsnet.com/Talk/parenting/4732091-i-want-to-run-away

stargirl1701 · 30/01/2023 22:39

I've ordered the book.

It's such a miserable way to live. I'm a shell of the person I was.

44PumpLane · 30/01/2023 22:56

I follow "atpeaceparents" (add the @ symbol at the start and take out the quote marks) on TikTok, she talks exclusively about understanding and accommodating PDA children.its really interesting, might be worth a look.

BeanCounterBabe · 30/01/2023 23:14

My DD was at her worst aged 10 (ASD diagnosis aged 8, PDA). She was permanently excluded and went to special school for a year. I was told it can be really common for things to be dire in ASD with onset of puberty.

We reduced demands right down as much as we could. Got her back into mainstream for secondary (her choice). She is 15 now and so much better at regulating her emotions. The less I push her the more she does things of her own accord.

stargirl1701 · 30/01/2023 23:26

Following advice from my thread, I have:

Noted local contact details for a social care assessment

Found a sensory integration OT and sent a contact form

Read about AFRID here: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/types/arfid/ and will ask GP for a referral

Will contact school and LA inclusion team about a CSP (equivalent to EHCP)

Ordered the PDA book

I'm sending you a virtual hug, OP. 😘

lollipoprainbow · 31/01/2023 07:49

@stargirl1701 crikey they sound identical except my dd overeats ! She's all cute and asleep now dreading having to wake her up for school and start the morning battle to get her up, dressed, out the door. It's hell. Hugs to you too xx

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