Tonight I had my 2 little cousins stay over. The eldest is 10 and has ASD I provide a lot of childcare and regularly have them stay over I am really close to both of them and love them like my own. I also have a 2 year old dd.
DCousin 10 autism is pretty severe. She finds communication quite difficult and the bulk of her speech is mostly random words which she will repeat over and over. She does have a good understanding of language and can follow simple instructions and is able to answer simple questions. She is usually a very happy child and I've only ever seen her cry twice in her life this includes as a baby she never really shows emotion at all.
Tonight I brought the girls back here and their mum also came aswell as me and the mum are very close friends. It Got to abouy half 8 and I said that it was time for the dc to go up to my bedroom and watch their movie they had asked for however my dd had decided she wanted her bottle and to go to bed so i told the other 2 to say goodnight to my dd. All of a sudden DCousin 10 started getting really emotional and had tears in her eyes she was like this for a few minutes then after a drink she calmed down and said she wanted to go up to watch the film so i took her and her sister upstairs. About 20 mins later I popped my head around the door to check on them and ask if they were enjoying their movie again DCousin 10 started looking really emotional but answered yes.
This is really out of character for her so naturally we are all really worried we did try asking her what was bothering her but I'm not sure she could understand so started saying my dds name and something about my dds hair? All quite random.
One thing I did think of recently DCousin has started really making a point of saying either goodbye or good night to people as appropriate and when my dd was going up to bed she was saying it to my dd and although dd ran over and gave her a cuddle as she usually does she didn't say goodnight back (this isnt unusual for my dd as she is still only 2) did my DCousin feel ignored or like my dd doesn't like her? Or is the whole thing with dd totally irrelevant and is there something else going on?
I suggested to her dm that if this continues it may he worth taking her to the gp as something more could be going on I was thinking a long the lines of amemia or something like that or maybe to do with her body getting ready for puberty. Either way I'm really worried and it broke my heart to see her so upset but unable to communicate what had upset her. As i say she never cries as all she's never had a melt down or gotten angry she really is as placid as they come. Can anyone offer some advice or shed some light.
I am very close to the parents and see them most days their children have a very happy home life and are showered with love and attention and the siblings get on despite the age gap. I just want to know how to help best at the moment.
Tia! Sorry if I have any terms wrong i mean no offence at all.