Where to start - 8 year old DD

[jillandhersprite]

So I have a lovely, happy DD.
She is quirky, individual, single minded, emotional and just generally brilliant. But she struggles socially, has started to lose her temper and also is really negative about herself.
At times I have wondered if she has autism. I have brought it up a few times at parent/teacher conversations but they always say she is fine, gets on with her classmates and doesn't struggle at school.
But from being an avid reader of Active here I know a little bit but not enough.
Where do I start? What websites are good? Is it GP or school I should go to - I feel like I don't even know what to say, let alone start to ask. Part of me just thinks she's an individual and of course she's different, because everyone is.
I've googled and am just overwhelmed and it's like I don't know where to start...
Most things that come up just don't apply because she didn't have those early obvious development issues that point towards autism and that even now she isn't obviously struggling. But there's a niggling thought at the back of my mind and the phrase 'masking' always feels like it applies - life is tricky, but she copes, but then sometimes she doesn't and gets so upset.
I feel like I am struggling to articulate my niggles and even this post is not clear.
Anyone know what I mean and some pointers for me?

What would you hope to get from a diagnosis of autism?

Your GP would be your first port of call, but it's likely to be a very slow process.

I'd ask in the SN Section. Hopefully someone in there can talk you through the process and your concerns.

What would I hope to get from a diagnosis - to be honest I'm not sure. I am on a mums facebook group - and a few are either autistic themselves or their children are and talk about how important it is to get a diagnosis - that earlier in primary school is a lot easier than trying to get one in high school when it may start to be a problem and just put down to attitude/teenager/bad behaviour.
Husband actually says to not give it a thought until there is a problem, but the ladies in the group say its better to be prepared, especially in the case of girls that mask and their problems are hidden.
In writing this - I think again I am swinging to just leave it...
We treat her as an individual and cater to those needs and to be honest none of that will change.
Although I probably do need to do some reading myself as sometimes I feel like I am floundering and wonder if I'm taking the right approach when she loses her temper, or hits and talks negatively about herself...

@jillandhersprite there is a book called Aspergirl. Read that book, see how you feel. If she does not struggle academically and is otherwise OK, I would encourage an activity where she can meet friends that like the same thing. School is very generic, most people there are dead boring and she may have nothing in common with them. An activity she likes will bring her together with people that she may work with much better.

Thanks I'll see if our library have it and order it!