DD possibly on Autistic spectrum-not coping well

[Suzyinwonderland]

Hi

When I picked DD up from pre school yesterday I was pulled to one side and told that they've had a terrible day with her. Lots of BIG tantrums, hitting children AND staff and in general just been incredibly disobedient. That was only for the last 40 mins or so, never the less, not good.

One of the staff suggested she may be on the Autistic spectrum and that I need to get the 'ball rolling'.

It really is a difficult one because she has always struggled socially, ie she is very over the top affectionate at times with other children, doesn't understand the importance of personal space and tends to jump everywhere. She has a very good imagination and good eye contact. She can also be an absolute angel for weeks at a time. She had 8 session in a row before end of term when she was perfectly behaved.

Because of the inconsistancy, I have yet to take her to a health visitor. It sometimes seems as though she can control it and other times it's like she has no control atall.

Had lots of tears over this. Trying to keep my anxiety away from DD, but it's very hard.

Can anyone help? Does this ring true to anyone else? Advice much appreciated. :)

Hi Suzy, my DD, aged 11, has an ASD. She is quite typical although quite verbal.

She is at a special school so I see a lot of kids with ASD and AS every day. You can't generalise as it is a spectrum disorder, but I can say that they do have bad days and good days on the whole. In fact, the difference between the good days and the bad ones can be very dramatic.

Just thought I'd mention, that when we were trying to get a diagnosis for DD, she went for an EEG to rule out the possibility of epilepsy. Petit-mal seizures don't usually present as a full on fit, but the person having an episode will just "zone-out" and appear to go away for a while.