Experiences of girls diagnosed autistic early as they reach adolescence

[Klippin]

Just wondering if anyone here has a daughter who was diagnosed autistic quite young and is now a teenager/young adult?

If she grew up knowing she was autistic and had lots of acceptance, understanding and support from an early age, did she still struggle with things like anxiety, masking, burnout, friendships or school as she got older?

Or do you feel having that early diagnosis and understanding made adolescence significantly easier for her?

Would really appreciate hearing people’s experiences, both positive and difficult. I’m interested in how things actually turned out for girls as they got older. ❤️

My dd was 8 when she got a diagnosis. School was always her biggest anxiety but she managed to complete mainstream primary. She had a good understanding of her ASD but just couldn’t make friends and was bullied. She felt very lonely and was constantly masking just to fly under the radar and not be targeted.

she burnt out age 11 just as Covid hit. During lockdown she was ok because she could just be safe at home doing her own thing. It was as school became open that she spiralled. It didn’t help that it was as she was about to start secondary. She managed a couple of short sessions there and then hit the worst mental health crisis. I won’t go into detail but it got as bad as it could.

her main distress was school so we pulled her out and she was out of education for two years. In that time we got help for her (therapy) and I applied for a EHCP. We found a really good nurturing ASD provision school and she flourished. Being around other children with ASD really helped. She made good friends. Learnt more about herself, relationships and how her ASD affects her. She was happy.

she took her GCSE’s and passed them all. Started at college last year, just our local college and we got some support put in place, but she’s never needed it. She’s very independent and has a lot of very lovely friends, some ASD and some not. She’s knows how to manage her anxiety, she no longer masks as much, she’s learnt to accept herself and to not care too much for anyone who is mean to her.

off to uni next year!. I’m terrified, she’s excited. Hopefully this next phase of her life is good now that she’s laid the foundations for her self care and mental health