Wondering if DD's odd behaviour might be Aspergers - is a diagnosis important and if so how do I investigate?

[Pendulum]

I have found her social behaviour a bit worrying for years now. She is 8 and it's becoming quite noticeable to me that she is 'different' from her peers in a way that I can't put my finger on. She is mainly oblivious to this. However, she seems more or less happy and is doing well in her lessons. So I am wondering whether I need to investigate, in case there is something I can do to help her as she gets older, or whether I should avoid suggesting to her that there is something 'wrong'?

If I'm honest I also wonder whether it would help our relationship if there were an explanation for her unusual behaviour - I spend a lot of time getting frustrated with it although I try hard to put this aside.

Marking place

Aranea

We went to our GP when DD1 was 8 as she was having panic attacks and hyperventilating esp at night. She was also selectively mute until she was 6. We wanted to forestall any potential problems that might lie ahead in the teenage years. She was assessed by CAMHS and we were told by the psychologist that she was 'probably AS' but that it would be up to us to pursue a formal diagnosis.

Not having any more infomation than this and not wanting to 'label' her, we didn't. How I wish we had. DD1 was OK at 11/12years but really dipped last December aged 14. She actually picked up the Dog in the Nighttime book and told us that that was exactly how she thought.

All the literature seems to encourage diagnosis as early as possible.

It has certainly helped us to understand and that is as important, if not more than the child having insight and understanding themselves.

I now don't accuse her of being 'obtuse'!

It is also amazing, once you know some of the characteristics of the spectrum, how many other people you 'diagnose' in your head!

I have a dd who is 2.5 and we have just seen the asd doctor at the hospital who spent about 15 mins with her and said that there is nothing wrong that she is a people person quirky and confident but im not convinced as she does not give great eye contact, wont hold hands or like cuddles, pulls strange faces for no reason and talks to anyone never sits still has a small concentration span talks mean and watches tv forever if i let her, she wont play alone always wants me or older child to play with her. she has a friend around the same age as her but she can be very mean to her ie shouts don't look at me like that! For no reason! Other little girl seems better with conversations and when dd is spoken to i have to try to get her to answer as she seems only to be able to talk if she initiates it Im at my wits end tbh dh thinks its me and cant see anything other then his dd am i going mad?

Goingunder - if you feel it needs to be investigated further ask for a 2nd opinion.

Also, there is no way you observe a child for 15 minutes and dismiss ASD.

It could be a phase or it could be ASD - who knows.

FWIW ours is 12 now and we have had about 5 appointments now, with her, without her, along with Psychologist etc and we still haven't got a Dx- This takes time.

Change doctors.

I agree with Everybody. It is quite young and they may be reluctant to pidgeon-hole her behaviour but I think she needs more assessment. It takes about 1 year all in all. Having said that about behaviour, I remember asking the HV when she was 18 months old whether she could be autistic and was brushed off, but I have always known there was something not quite right.

Also marking place. Have read this thread and it is as though a lightbulb has switched on. Need to show DH.

DD is also nearly 8 and some of the descriptions on here are her, particularly the social struggles. She just doesn't seem to connect with girls at school. Although she does have friends she is always on the edge never quite fitting in. She is also a very keen reader, doesn;t like going out prefers to stay at home, sensory issues with smells and food. The list goes on.

Really need to think about what to do next. Worried for her future.