Dd, aged 12 (severe ASD) so angry right now

[lottieandmia]

I would say the last 4 months or so she has been really angry, hitting us and hitting herself and leaving terrible bruises all over herself. She also can't fall asleep and is trying to stop herself going to the toilet.

Does anyone else find that their child is having phases like this? I am wondering if hormones are playing a role right now. Luckily she does not hit other children or her sisters (yet!!)

The problem is that although she can talk, she doesn't want to and gets angry if we try to encourage her to say what she wants. At school she is apparently ok, although does stamp her feet sometimes. At home she is kicking glass if she gets the opportunity, so needs 24 hour supervision!

She's having a care assessment at the moment and I think the social worker is going to recommend respite. The hardest time is when the children all get home from school. I'm a lone parent and my mum and I are juggling the children between us.

Hi Lottie my dd is four and autistic , but I recognise what you describe were going through a phase of hitting and pinching. I hope you do get help from social services you totally deserve it

Thanks for your replies and links. It is very difficult to know what to do. Today I almost had a car accident because I was driving her to her dad's with her sister she kept attacking me whilst I was driving! I think she didn't want to go to her dad's. She seems to not like the transition between our house and his house but it's difficult to figure out.

Transitions are so hard here as well I truly sympathise

Hormones do make them feel horrid so it could be that

Dd3's paediatrician has warned us to be prepared for a rocky ride!! Oh joy

I am hoping she'll calm down eventually. She's a very 'phases' child - always has been. Small things really upset her like the other day when her bus took a different route because of a problem dropping one of the other children off. I feel sad for her because she looks so unhappy.

Ds is a ver "phasey" type of child too. Just been through a very wobbly few weeks with him. Just ordered a download from here www.relaxkids.com/UK/Homepage on the recomendation from another asd parent

Oh Lottie, I've just seen this. I going brought similar with dd1 - she's nearly 10. She just isn't happy a lot of the time. Nothing really solvable, but definitely unhappy nonetheless, and it is so hard to see.

She, too, gets really angry and frustrated if we ask her to tell us what te matter is, yet constantly quizzes therest of us on how we are feeling, and cannot bear it if we are even slightly cross or snappy - instant cries of 'don't be cross with me! Please be happy!'

It is so difficult. The littlest things matter now, where they didn't before (like eg taking a different route to school) and her anxiety is through the roof too.

Sorry, not much help, but just wanted you to know you aren't alone.