Struggling mum

[Ebp85]

My beautiful 5yo is struggling so much with many different things.

The worst one is sensory processing with clothes. Just bought new clothes, OK for a day now hates the feel of everything. Just don't know what to do for the best.

Tried flash cards, which took some things away but as soon as the getting ready stops and cards are away she meltdowns. Just delays it. She really can't control how she feels.

No one can touch anything or wrinkle anything. I've even watched her going up to her 1yo sister and hitting her head says sorry straight away.

Suddenly she can no longer listen or follow through with a basic request, like it's forgotten. Eg sit on sofa if watching TV, will be up 2 seconds later jumping around in front of it. Used to be good at table for meals and suddenly all over the place, up down, won't use knife.

Cant handle what she expects for a meal being wrong. 2 sausage rolls instead of 3, cucumber circles instead of sticks, pancake ends need removing and happy.

And so many other things! We ticked most things on a health questionnaire from peaditricans.

I'm sad and exhausted for her. Struggling having no one to speak to about it.

Had a 2hr assessment with school nurse and Paediatrican apt in a few weeks. I'm guessing from questionnaire stuff it's focused at autism/aspergers.

Be good to have advice from others who have experienced the same, any tips welcome. Just want my daughter to be carefree and happy all the time.

I didn't want to leave you unanswered.

This is a great booklet, written for parents of children who have sensory processing difficulties.
Full credit to Falkirk Council for a) Pulling it together and b) making it readily available.
I recommend it a lot.

Thank you will have a read.

Have they suggested an occupational therapy assessment? They are are the professionals that look at sensory processing, including tactile defensiveness (touch sensitivity) which is what you're describing.

I think that might be something happening soon?? The doctors have referred us to the paediatricians so I'm hoping the first goes well that the world of assessment is opened up to us.

My daughter had some of these behaviours when she was this age. It drove me mad and I couldn't understand it. She's now 15 and was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder and high functioning autism (used to be called aspergers) last year. In hindsight I wish I'd just gone with it and let her choose how to do things.

I think my son has ADHD/ADD and some of what you say sounds like that too. Hopefully the assessment will help. I have found that understanding autism and ADHD has helped me to adapt how we do things. E.g. avoiding sensory overload, having a routine, managing transitions, emotional support. Look up zones of regulation. It's a way to help your child identify how they feel and what to do if they struggle with emotional regulation. It can be adapted for any age.

Thank you so much for this. After an absolutely awful weekend I've managed to find a few more clothes she is comfortable in and I have to switch off from worrying about her being cold etc. As long as time for me. Struggling so much with the jealous toward any of her sisters coming near or speaking to me. Its finding ways to limit how she feels as well as not affect the other girls. On count down now for the first call, just hope this is the start of the road to support and help for her.

Will look up everything you have said. Also need to look at ocd and rituals as starting to take over a bit.

Thank you so much 😘

There is a good facebook group called Autistic Girls Network. It was originally set up to support parents who were trying to get their girls diagnosed as autism is often missed or misdiagnosed in girls. Lots of support and advice, whether your child is autistic or not. And experience from others who are going through the assessment process. it was a life saver for me.

Thank you so much, will have a look at that today. Sounds just what I'm after. Found so little stuff on girls being different to boys. I find she hides things from my husband, can put a game face on almost but looses it as soon as gone again. She defo hides things at school as as academic I guess its not something they would look for or notice.