Daughter waiting for ASD assessment

[JadeFD]

Hello everyone!
just hoping to get some advice if possible feel a bit overwhelmed and not sure what to do.

My daughter is 20 months old and was showing signs of ASD when she was so small and she is currently waiting on an assessment. One of the more severe struggles we’re having is she puts absolutely everything in her mouth and often tries to eat things that should not be eaten! Is there any advice that can be given to help with this?

She is also waking up in the night more often and will not go back to sleep for hours. She’s not distressed she just entertains herself by twisting her dummy in her hands. I’m not sure how I can approach this? I’ve also got a 7 month old who sleeps through but I’m so exhausted as I feel I can’t sleep whilst she’s awake.

Very sorry for the long winded post I just need some advice. I am also waiting on an assessment myself as I’ve only just noticed I have some of the same behaviours. I’m also getting triggered when both kids are screaming in the car and I just feel like I’m failing.

Thanks in Advance!

All kids do this. My adhd 10 year old stopped at 5

Most likely teething

Apologies I should have said, those aren’t the only behavioural signs we have noticed there are lots more. It’s just the eating and sleeping we are struggling with.

For a 20 month old to putting non food items in her mouth, you just make sure she can't access anything dangerous or that she can choke on. You can try to see if she's seeking particular forms of secondary input - hard, chewy etc - and redirect to toys or sensory aids that safely give her that.

If she's awake, not distressed and in a safe space that she can't get out of (like a cot) then I would leave her and go back to sleep. It's very hard to make a child sleep who doesn't want to. If this a new development, you might try cutting the length of her nap or adjusting its time.

This.

Putting things in their mouth can be part of normal toddler development. If it is related to sensory needs, you might find some of the ideas in this booklet helpful.

Thank you for the booklet it’s really helpful 😊