Masking

[Fivetyfour]

Can children mask as young as 4? I’ve had concerns about my child and still awaiting reply from my health visitor. I suspected sensory issues with dislike of loud noises , completely distraught with handryers doesn’t like certain smells getting dressed suncream/hair wash, limited diet, obsessive interest, struggles socially- scared of other children unless knows them very well , will move away from play equipment and wants another adult by side. Worried about timings and routines. Aggressive biting shouting and scratching me at times, in public and home. Overwhelmed with busy environments, singing, loud music. Child has just started reception and I thought it would be a disaster, they’ve done 3 half days so far with half the class and my child seems to love it? has told me didn’t like the hand dryers and felt scared but just got out quickly , didn’t like the singing and wanted to shout but didn’t? I’m just very shocked are my suspicions wrong or could this be the start of masking what do I look out for?

Some DC can mask at 4 but 3 half days with half the class is very different to full days with all the class (and having to mix with the rest of the school e.g. lunchtime. Sometimes DC take surprisingly well to school, at least in the younger years.

Thank you il see how the rest of the week goes then. It’s such a worry.

My son definitely masked from about 4/5 onwards. He worked out what behaviours worked best in the new neurotypical school environment and copied them.

He did it very very well but THE second he left school and got on a bus with me, he'd have a huge meltdown.

School didn't believe that he displayed any signs of autism and it took me three diagnosis referrals before we were taken seriously. Highly frustrating

After an initial disastrous visit to school mine settled really well. I don't know if he was masking, I think he just liked the routine and he knew a lot of the children from preschool. He also was ok after school but needed snack, calming story and to chill. Yours sounds to me like he's ticking a lot of boxes to me but getting a referral is getting harder and harder.
Stay positive though! School doesn't have to be a disaster even if he does have ASD. Mine has found ways to cope and is starting uni soon.

Thanks all. Done some full days and seemed to enjoy it but completely melts down at home. We’ve had school refusal yesterday and an aggressive morning meltdown saying it’s too noisy and doesn’t want to go, but eventually got there. I’ve spoken to school and apparently there’s no concerns they’re settled in fine played alongside a child and exchanged some conversation , they only thing they noted is will not go to the toilet alone claims they don’t know where they are, follows all the rules but they said they haven’t started the work side of reception yet. They’ve set up a meeting with me tommorow with the senco but now I just feel really silly and like they must just think I’m an over worried mum if things are fine there? My child can make good eye contact with me and engage in imaginary play also has very good speech I would say advanced, these things make me doubt myself , I’m just not sure ?

@denpark
@itsmyp4rty

do you mind telling me abit more about your children and what signs they had ?