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DD, 7, anxiety and autism?

4 replies

problembottom · 12/02/2026 14:20

A teacher friend suggested to me my DD, 7, might be autistic this week and it's made me wonder.

It's because I was telling her about DD's anxiety. She gets a sore tummy before anything at the moment, it gets very bad before anything new, most recently starting Brownies and a birthday party where she tried climbing. She cries or gets angry, I really have to persuade her to go and then she usually runs off and is the life and soul of the party while I feel totally drained. She's currently refusing to be babysat which I think is linked to being very scared of burglars, she's checking doors are locked and putting all the lights on a lot.

Generally she's clever, loud and confident. Popular at school, gets perfect school reports (my friend says maybe she's masking) where we're told about impeccable behaviour, great academically and a lovely group of friends, she has a really nice best friend. Loves animals, toys and is generally a bit of a party girl who doesn't want to read her school books but does want to stay up late and get up to mischief. Has an exceptional memory which I don't feel helps her anxiety.

Does this sound like she might be autistic and should I be doing anything about this?

OP posts:
SleafordSods · 12/02/2026 19:47

Yes it does. The anxiety causing stomach pains was exactly how my DD was at 7.

I would also seek a diagnosis. Fkr us yhe wheels really started to fall off when DD moved from Primary to High School. If you seek a diagnosis now, she will have, hopefully been assessed by age 11.

problembottom · 13/02/2026 15:44

Thank you! Do you just go to the GP or should I speak to school? Xx

OP posts:
SleafordSods · 13/02/2026 16:12

We tried the school several times but without any luck unfortunately avd ended up going through the GP. I would try the school first though.

Maybe have a read up on how ASD presents on girls, write down the thibgs you’ve noticed and do this simple progress checker first Flowers

usernameisx · 18/02/2026 15:39

My almost 5 year old struggles alot with anxiety, we are currently waiting for him for be assessed. He is also quite confident and loud, worries alot, tummy pains and worrying what will happen next.
The anxiousness is the main reason why we are seeking assessment for nuerodivergence but not the only one.
I think it is definitely worth looking into but if its the only symptom I wouldn't be presuming anything just yet.

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