Possible autistic daughter

[collann]

Hi all
I'm quite new to this so please forgive me.
I had my youngest dd 9 years ago, she was born 5 weeks early due to difficult circumstances (I had cancer)
Growing up I always had a feeling she was different to my other children.
Never slept ,fussy eating, constantly needing attention slightly late hitting her milestones etc. I never discussed it with anyone just got on with it.
Since being at school she had struggled a bit as she is particularly sighted in one eye but no one ever said anything to me. She's quiet, polite, shy and pleasure to teach.
Anyway we moved house last year which meant she moved schools.
She's been really struggling with making friends and finding everything quite hard.
I mentioned it to her teacher who asked if I minded if we got senco involved as he had noticed some things.
The senco has been very helpful they did a Fact and Fact + as have I and we have both come up with similar answers. They suggested I make an appointment with my gp which I have.
But today my dd asked out of the blue if she has some 'needs'
We were in ikea toilets and the handlers were going off, she's always hated the noise of them and a flushing toilet. She covered her ears as usual but because it was very crowded she ran out of the toilet saying I'll meet you outside.
I truly apologise for the long post, as I said in the beginning I'm very new to this so if there is anyone that has any helpful advice I would be so grateful x

Hi Collann,

Best thing you can do is get her assessed.

I found out i was Autistic at 31 yrs old and it was a game changer as i could then advocate for myself and make life a lot easier knowing what coping mechanisms to employ. Life was not easy not knowing why i felt different.

I am sound sensitive, was diligent at school and struggled with change. I also have a lot of benefits of being me, i can look apon it positively, i find NT people are usually ignorant but things are improving.

You or the dad may also have it as its hereditary.

Wishing you all the best on this journey of discovery.

Thank you for your reply
I have OCD and anxiety but I'm pretty sure her Dad is autistic but undiagnosed (we're divorced)
I just want to get her all the help and support I can. X

Get her assessed. Both my dc hated handdriers and one is diagnosed with autism, the other isn’t though I think has mild autism.
It sounds like her new school is more clued up with SEND and hopefully they will be able to apply for funding to support her.
My dd who has autism is doing very well at school, settled well at high school and achieving academically. She doesn’t have any friends but is happy to sit in student services at break times and get a bit of quiet time. They have an inviting room with sofas, books, games etc so any pupils who need it can go there. Without the support her funding paid for it would be very different. Try to get support in place now to give her an easy transition to high school. You don’t need a diagnosis to get funding and support. I would go back to the SENCO and ask what they intend to put in place to support her and whether it is appropriate to apply for funding and a care plan.

Thank you
I am in the process of getting her assessed through our gp and then hopefully a paediatric appointment.
She also chews things, Lego, hairbands, is this a trait? Her little particulars (as I call them) seem to be more noticeable as she's getting older. X

Yes this is a trait.

Would she try something like Chewellery?

I would pop over to the SN Section and ask about getting her an ECHP as I think they're based on need rather than diagnosis

The waiting list for NHS assessment is years. If you can afford it, I would look to get a private assessment.

Good luck OP.

The school may be able to refer you to Caudwell Children.